SAN ANTONIO — The arrival of June heralds many things: Hotter South Texas temperatures, family vacations, Spurs draft speculation.
It also means the return of Pride Month celebrations for San Antonio's LGBTQ+ residents, a chance for Texans to come together in shows of solidarity, community and expression. For every city-sanctioned party like the River Walk Pride Parade, there are several smaller events tailored around inclusion for San Antonians of all genders and sexual orientations to partake in.
Check out our list of events below. (If you know of an event not on this list, please email news@kens5.com.)
Pride River Parade & Celebration
The third edition of San Antonio's Pride River Parade returns Saturday, June 1, bringing colorful barges and even brighter spirit to the heart of the city.
DJs, bands and impersonators will get the party started at La Villita's Arneson River Theatre at 5 p.m. before a parade of more than a dozen floating floats float by. They'll float by along Museum Reach from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and through downtown from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The event is free to attend.
Elsewhere Pride party
Elsewhere Bar & Kitchen (102 E. Jones Ave.) will be hosting a Pride celebration of its own on June 1 ahead of the city's river parade, including a drag show from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m and giveaways from various sponsors. Some seats will provide a view of the city's river parade. Email alli@elsewheretexas.com or call (210) 201-5595 to reserve your spot.
Queer Voices Pachanga
Also on June 1, the Esperanza Peace & Justice Center is hosting the Queer Voices Pachanga and Clothing Swap for the sixth year. DJ De La O will provide the music as the public is invited to comb through for gender-affirming attire; food, drinks and games will be on tap as well. Later, the event will feature poetry and burlesque performances, as well as more live music.
The event is free to attend, with donations welcome.
Trinity K. Bonet in San Antonio
Elsewhere in the city, nationally renowned drag performing artist and former "RuPaul's Drag Race" contestant Trinity K. Bonet will entertain guests at "Drag Me to the Hall," a "festive community celebration" at the Pearl's Stable Hall. It kicks off June 1 at 9 p.m., and tickets are available for $49. Admission is limited to those 18 and over.
Pride on the East Side
The second weekend of Pride Month brings a special east-side community event to the Ella Austin Community Center. Pride on the East Side runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 8.
A pioneering story of gay life at the Classic Theatre
From June 6-23, the Classic Theatre of San Antonio is putting on "The Boys in the Band," a play which broke new ground in the 1968 when it explored "the complexities of identity and relationships within the gay community" in 1960s New York City. Tickets are on sale now for the production, which will be shown at the Cellar Theatre at San Pedro Playhouse (1315 San Pedro Ave.).
LGBTQ icons celebrated at Pride Center brunch
The annual Icons Brunch, organized by Pride Center San Antonio, celebrates the local LGBTQ community with this year's theme of "Roaring 20s: An Age of Prosperity." Honorees will be recognized through six awards that include the Media Icon, Political Icon and Rising Star.
Doors open at 11:30 a.m. on June 9 at the Sky Room (847 E. Hildebrand Ave.). Single tickets start at $150 and can be purchased here.
Downtown Pride Night
On the evening of June 13, the Department of Arts & Culture will hold a Pride Night celebration at Culture Commons Gallery (115 Plaza de Armas) featuring drag performances, poetry readings, printmaking demonstrations and the Latinx Drag King groupe Sir Gio and Gacho Marx of Los MENtirosos. The event is free to attend, and goes from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Pride Month Bar Crawl
Those 21 years of age and older will be able to imbibe at a June 22 bar crawl that will reach several venues in the Alamo City. Donations from the event go to Pride San Antonio; tickets cost $20 for individuals and $15 for group admission. The bundle includes two drinks, exclusive specials, food specials, waived cover and a custom Pride badge.
Tobin Pride Month Brunch
Downtown's Tobin Center will host the Out at the Tobin Pride Brunch, an event that promises "a delightful combination of delectable cuisine, captivating entertainment and unwavering support for the LGBTQ+ community" at H-E-B Performance Hall. fx
Kristi Waters is set to host the brunch event, and featured performers include Ra'Ja O'Hara (seen previously in "RuPaul's Drag Race"), Mehgan Iman Dlux and Reign La Rue.
Ticket packages start at $35 and go all the way up to $200, which gets guests premium lounge seating, a meet-and-greet opportunity, higher-end buffer snacks and a complimentary drink. The brunch is open only to those 18 years of age and older, and it's set for 10:30 a.m. on June 23.
Pride Bigger Than Texas
Rounding out the month of festivities, PRIDE San Antonio will once again host the Pride Bigger than Texas celebration at Crockett Park. Set for June 29 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., there will be food, entertainment, a health fair and more.
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