Pride Month is here and alongside the massive celebration of love and equality comes a plethora of festivals and events to help you celebrate the special month. From colorful parades and picnics to cookie parties for the little ones, the following are the top five can’t-miss Pride events in Iowa.
June 18: Iowa City Pride Parade
The 51st annual Iowa City Pride Parade takes place on June 18 at the Ped Mall in Northern Iowa City. The day will feature live entertainment across multiple stages, food vendors, activities for all ages and more fun. The event is free and open to the public. To learn more about the Iowa City Pride Parade, visit iowacitypride.org.
June 18: Pride Cookie Party
The Pride Cookie Party is a fun, family-friendly event in honor of Pride Month taking place on June 18 at Des Moines Public Library. The party will feature adult cookie decorating inspired by Pride Month, using royal icing techniques, while little ones can test out color mixing and sprinkle decorating with lots of cookies to taste. The event will begin at 2 p.m. and is free. To learn more about the Pride Cookie Party, visit dmpl.org.
June 18: Des Moines Pride Crawl
Crawl your way through Des Moines in honor of Pride Month at the annual Des Moines Pride Crawl. The fun will kick off on June 18 at the Voodoo Lounge and features drink vouchers, delicious food from local vendors, an after-party and a professional photographer to capture the magic of it all. Tickets are $20 per person, and the crawl is 21-plus. A portion of the proceeds from the crawl will support The Trevor Project. To learn more about Pride Crawl Des Moines, visit eventbrite.com.
June 25: Burlington Pride in the Park
Taking place rain or shine in Crapo Park in Burlington, the Burlington Pride in the Park event will feature over 50 vendor booths ranging from shops to support centers, food trucks, a cake walk, raffle prizes, live entertainment, kid’s activities and more fun for everyone in the family. The event is free and begins at 8 a.m. To learn more about Burlington Pride in the Park, visit facebook.com.
June 26: Pride Family Picnic
Join other friendly LGBTQ+ families at the Pride Family Picnic at Evelyn K Davis Park in Des Moines. This event offers a safe and welcoming environment for those with LGBTQ+ family members to socialize, celebrate and enjoy a lovely Sunday afternoon in the park. Kiddos can play in the splash pad or playground, while the adults grill up some grub and enjoy sips and lawn-style games. The picnic is free and encourages others to bring food for a potluck. To learn more about Pride Family Picnic, visit eventbrite.com.