As the saying goes, April showers bring May flowers, and in turn, May flowers herald the arrival of June and its vibrant Pride flags. June is a month dedicated to celebrating the historic 1969 Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment that ignited the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement we now know as Pride. Today, Pride isn’t just a celebration, it’s a reminder that we’re here and we are resilient.
Here in Dayton, we're thrilled to kick off Pride Month with Dayton Pride™ 2026 on June 5th and 6th. The festivities will take place downtown on Saint Clair Street, between First and Third Streets. Join us at the Greater Dayton LGBT Center as we celebrate 50 years of unwavering support and advocacy!
The Affair on Saint Clair Disco Block Party
The Affair on Saint Clair begins Friday evening at 6:00 PM right in front of the Greater Dayton LGBT Center, located at 136 N. Saint Clair Street. This 1970s style block party will feature a fantastic array of food trucks, refreshing beverages from Heidelberg and Warped Wing, and captivating performances by Sage Fire. The evening will culminate with a performance by Dayton’s legendary The Rubi Girls. Your hosts for Friday night are the fabulous Jackie O, with DJ Hill providing the soundtrack to keep the energy high.
Saturday's Pride Parade
The parade will step off at 11:00 AM from the intersection of Jefferson and Second Street. The parade will make its way to the festival stage at First and Saint Clair, where an all-day celebration will continue until 4:00 PM. Prepare for a dazzling lineup of entertainers, over 100 diverse vendors, and delicious food trucks to explore. Families will enjoy a dedicated Family Zone in Cooper Park, generously sponsored by PFLAG Dayton.
The Pride spirit extends beyond the weekend with a variety of other events happening throughout the region:
- Pride Silent Disco by Dayton Silent Disco: Friday, June 5th, 8:30 PM at The Brightside.
- Pride on 5th: Saturday, June 6, 12:00-6:00 PM, 501 E Fifth St., Dayton
- Pride Showcase & Big Ol' Gay Dance Party: Saturday, June 6, 7:00 PM at Yellow Cab Tavern.
- Pride Night at Barrel House: Saturday, June 6, 8:00 PM
- Running with Pride by PFLAG Dayton: Sunday, June 7th at Eastwood Park. The 5k walk/run starts at 9:00 AM. Register or find more information at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Dayton/RunningwithPride5kRunWalk.
- Pride Queeraoke by Heartsiq: Sunday, June 7, 8:00 PM at Blind Bob's
- Pride Prov: Saturday, June 12th, 8:00 PM at Black Box Improv Theater.
- Kettering Pride Picnic: Saturday, June 20th, 12:00-3:00 PM, location TBD.
- Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadow Cast by The Dayton Affair: Saturday, June 27, 8:00 PM at Yellow Cab Tavern
We invite everyone to join us in celebrating love, diversity, and community throughout Pride Month. We look forward to seeing you in June and beyond!
