Each year, Pride celebrates the accomplishments and history of the LGBTQ+ community. Produced by Trillium Health, Rochester Pride is one of New York State's largest pride festivals north of New York City. This year, as always, Rochester Pride encourages the community to be true to themselves, find inspiration from icons in the LGBTQ+ community and utilize every color of the spectrum to highlight individuality and diversity.
With the month of July filled with a range of events, we've pulled together a guide with what you need to know about Roc Pride 2023. See below for some of the many Rochester Pride festivities happening this month.
Thursday, July 6
PRIDE NIGHT
Innovative Field | 6:45 pm
Attend Pride night with the Rochester Red Wings featuring a pre-game happy hour, Pride tee giveaway, post-game fireworks and more.
THE DRAG QUEENS OF COMEDY
Comedy @ The Carlson | 8:00 pm
The queens are kicking off Pride month at the Carlson! Enjoy stand-up comedy, lip synch and drag starring Darienne Lake and Mrs. Kasha Davis.
Friday, July 7
PRIDE KICKOFF PARTY
Roar | 9:00 pm to 2:00 am
Enjoy a pre-pride kick off party at Roar featuring DJ Brian Buttlett and special guest, international DJ Citizen Jane. Drag spotlight performances will be by Kyla Minx and Eva Flow.
Saturday, July 8
POP-UP PRIDE DAY AT SEABREEZE
Seabreeze Amusement Park | 12:00 to 4:00 pm
Join Rochester LGBTQ+ Together for a Pop-Up Pride Day at Seabreeze! Special group rate ticket price includes Ride & Slide Day Pass, all-you-can-eat picnic lunch and reserved Pride Grove pavilion access. Don’t forget to wear your rainbow Pride colors/outfits and accessories!
BOYZ NIGHT OUT: PRIDE EDITION
One Nightclub | 7:00 to 10:00 pm
Head to One Nightclub for a drag show hosted by Miss Deelicious. Enjoy performances by Miss Deelicious, Bo Chanel, Notorious LEZ, Joey Blaze, Maximillian Pleazures and Valentino Rose. This event is 21+.
FRIENDS FOREVER CONCERT
Hochstein Performance Hall | 7:30 pm
This reunion will bring together hundreds of chorus members, directors, accompanists, board members and audience members to perform music geared to the cherished friendships and memories formed over the past 40 years.
PRIDE PARTY
CRISP Rochester | All day
Spend the day celebrating Pride at CRISP Rochester! Featuring karaoke, drink specials, food, prizes and even more fun.
Sunday, July 9
PRIDE RIDE
Genesee Valley Park | 10:00 am
Bring your own bicycle! Enjoy a group bike ride at Genesee Valley Park, with the full ride being 13.5 miles with the option for riders to drop out after the first 8 miles.
ROC PRIDE PICNIC
The Roundhouse Shelter at Genesee Valley Park | 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Enjoy and indulge in the 51st annual Rochester Pride Picnic! Bring your own food and beverages or visit the various food trucks that will be at the event. The event will feature retail vendors, a piano bar, DJs and dancing, drag entertainers and bingo, a gift raffle, kids activity bags and community information tables.
Monday, July 10
FLAG RAISING
Martin Luther King Jr. Park | 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Celebrate Pride with a flag raising ceremony at Martin Luther King Jr. Park featuring music, vendor tables, a ceremony and more.
OUT AND ABOUT: A QUEER COMEDY SHOW
Equal Grounds Coffee House | 7:30 pm
Attend a queer comedy show at Equal Grounds Coffee House featuring entertainment by Gabby Garcia, Cindy Arena and Tootsie.
Tuesday, July 11
LIVE DJ PRIDE CYCLE CLASS
VAULT Rochester | 5:30 pm
Get addicted to the Rhythm cycle class at VAULT Rochester! This beat-based ride combines choreography and an arms segment for a full body workout. Immerse yourself in the positive energy of this intense cardiovascular fitness experience.
THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE FUNNY OPEN MIC NIGHT
Equal Grounds Coffee House | 7:00 to 9:00 pm
Attend a free open mic night for the transgender, non-binary and gender expansive community. All are welcome to attend this ASL-interpreted event.
PRIDE PAINT & SIP: “PRIDE IN WONDERLAND”
Bachelor Forum | 8:00 to 10:00 pm
Unleash your inner artist at this Pride-themed paint and sip! No experience necessary at this creative and fun-filled evening.
Wednesday, July 12
POEMS OF PRIDE
Lilac Library | 5:30 pm to 6:15 pm
Free event featuring readings by some of Rochester’s LGBTQ+ poets.
Thursday, July 13
PRIDE CELEBRATION DAY
Memorial Art Gallery | 5:00 to 9:00 pm
Join the Memorial Art Gallery for their annual celebration of acceptance, community, diversity, learning and love. Enjoy free museum admission, a unicorn photo op, drag queen story time with Vanessa LeRoux, lawn games, arts & crafts, and more all-ages fun.
BECOMING A SAVVY ALLY: BOOK TALK AND SIGNING BY JEANNIE GAINSBURG
Hipocampo Children’s Book | 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Friday, July 14
AMBUSH PRIDE PUB CRAWL
Multiple Locations | 6:00 to 10:00 pm
IMAGE OUT: PRIDE SCREENING
The Little Theatre | 7:00 pm
Join ImageOut for a free pride screening of Bottoms featuring Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream, beer/wine/cider and more.
SONGS FROM MY CLOSET & HEART: CABARET WITH ROY WISE
OFC Creations | 7:30 pm
JUICE BOX ROC: ROCHESTER PRIDE 2023 & 2 YEAR ANNIVERSARY
Photo City Music Hall | 8:00 pm to 2:00 am
Saturday, July 15
ROCHESTER PRIDE PARADE
Park Avenue | 1:00 pm
The parade will start at the intersection of Alexander Street and Park Avenue. It will go down Park Avenue, turn right on Culver Road, and end at Cobbs Hill. Head to the Festival right after the Parade!
ROCHESTER PRIDE FESTIVAL
Cobbs Hill Park | 1:00 to 8:00 pm
Enjoy food, wine, beer, games, activities, vendor tables, live music and performances at the ROC Pride Fest at Cobbs Hill Park.
TEA TIME IN WONDERLAND KIKI BALL
MOCHA Tent- Cobbs Hill Park | 3:30 to 8:00 pm
Join MOCHA Rochester and Rochester Black Pride at the MOCHA Pride Tent, within the Rochester Pride Festival! The large dance tent will feature a DJ spinning all your Urban, Hip-Hop and Latin favorites, performances and the Tea Time In Wonderland Kiki Ball.
SONGS FROM MY CLOSET & HEART: CABARET WITH ROY WISE
OFC Creations | 7:30 pm
SOLE REHAB PRIDE
Photo City Music Hall | 9:00 pm to 3:00 am
Sunday, July 16
QUEENS OVER EASY DRAG BRUNCH
ARTISANWorks | 11:00 am
QUEER PRIDE CRAFT FAIR
Lux Lounge | 2:00 to 6:00 pm
ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Village Ice Cream Shop | 2:00 to 5:00 pm
SONGS FROM MY CLOSET & HEART: CABARET WITH ROY WISE
OFC Creations | 3:00 pm
Saturday, July 22
QUEER HANDMADE YARD SALE
30 Shaftsbury Rd. Rochester, NY | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Sunday, July 23
QUEER HANDMADE YARD SALE
30 Shaftsbury Rd. Rochester, NY | 9:00 am to 3:00 pm
Friday, July 28
ROCHESTER BLACK PRIDE: KARAOKE NIGHT
The Lab | 8:00 pm to 12:00 am
Saturday, July 29
ROCHESTER BLACK PRIDE: HEALTH & WELLNESS FAIR
Staybridge Suites | 1:00 to 4:00 pm
ROCHESTER BLACK PRIDE: CLUB RENAISSANCE
Bar 90 & Club ONE | 9:00 pm
Sunday, July 30
ROCHESTER BLACK PRIDE: SUNSET BBQ
Durand Eastman Beach | 4:00 pm
For more information on ROC Pride 2023 and additional event details, click here. Don't forget to share your photos on social media using #VisitROC and #RocPride2023.
