Editor's Note: This list will be updated as more dates are finalized. Last updated June 15, 2021. Looking for 2022's guide? Right here.
By now it's understood that COVID-19 has thrown off long-term planning and that means that Pride season has become a lot more unpredictable. But it's far from canceled! Check out these upcoming virtual and in-person events that will show LGBTQ+ spirit all summer and fall long.
Harbor Country Pride (New Buffalo) – June 1 – June 6
Harbor Country Pride kicks off Tuesday, June 1 with a Movie in the Park in Dewey Cannon Park in Three Oaks. Events throughout the week include live music from queer artists, Leather Night, and an Art Walk.
Ypsi Pride – June 4-25 (Hybrid)
Ypsilanti Pride events will start on Friday, June 4, with a kick-off event both in-person (on N. Washington in downtown Ypsilanti) and online (via Facebook). Events include a kick-off night, a youth night, a vendor fair, and more.
Great Lakes Bay Pride at Home – June 4 (Hybrid)
In lieu of its traditional LGBTQ festival and after party, this reimagined Pride celebration unites us all to build a community that inspires engagement, equality and respect for all. Activities and events in June will include a Yard Sign Campaign. Great Lakes Bay Pride will offer free yard signs sharing the Celebrating Pride at Home message to households throughout the region. The Great Lakes Loons, in conjunction with Great Lakes Bay Pride, will hold their own Pride event on June 4.
Motor City Pride Live – June 5 (Virtual)
While Motor City Pride will resume in-person later in September, Motor City Pride Live is on Saturday, June 5 at https://live.motorcitypride.org including live performances from 3-5 p.m.
Grand Rapids Pride Festival – June 20 (Virtual)
The 2021 Grand Rapids Pride Festival will mark the event's 33rd year. It will once again be virtual and there will be several events such as book readings, entertainment performances, arts and crafts tutorials for the younger crowd and much more. Other events taking place throughout Pride month include a Pride Drag Brunch on June 13 and Bingo at Hamburger Mary's on June 16.
Flint Pride Cook Out! – June 25
Flint Pride Cook Out will be in Downtown Flint, hosted by Wellness Services, on Friday June 25 including music, food, free testing and more. The Cook Out is from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 311 E. Court St., Flint, MI 48502.
Upper Peninsula Pride – June 26
Upper Peninsula Rainbow Pride has announced that in place of Pride Fest 2021 they will host a Ride with Pride event in Marquette on Saturday, June 26. The ride will begin at the Northern Michigan University PEIF parking lot at 4 p.m. Riders are encouraged to decorate themselves and their bikes in their most fabulous Pride gear.
Grosse Pointe Pride – June 26
Grosse Pointe Pride is organizing a parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 26. The parade route is 2.5 miles and participants are invited to join any point along the route.
Rochester and Rochester Hills Pride Event – June 27
Held at the Rochester Municipal Park Ampitheater, Rochester Pride will feature speakers including Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, State Senator Mallory McMorrow, State Senator Rosemary Bayer, Oakland County Democratic Party Chair Jody LaMacchia, and more community leaders. RSVPs are requested; see Facebook event for complete details.
Saint Clair Shores Pride – June 27
Organizers in Saint Clair Shores are organizing the first ever annual pride march in their city. The march will start at 9 mile and Jefferson and route to Blossom Health.
Kalamazoo Virtual Pride 2021 – All June (Virtual)
OutFront Kalamazoo is presenting a series of virtual events, including an awards ceremony, storytelling event, and a conversation with openly-transgender state legislator Sarah McBride. Several other events are also include a Pride Flag gallery, a vaccination clinic, and a Pride Interfaith Service.
Hotter Than July – July 23-25 (Hybrid)
This is year 26 for Hotter Than July, also known as Detroit's Black Gay Pride. For 2021, HTJ will once again take a hybrid virtual and in-person approach much as it did last year. Titled A Very Hotter Than July: A Virtual Celebration, the festival will include a range of both traditional and innovative activities including a virtual picnic, Hotter Than July Art Show, candlelight Vigil and Worship Service. There will also be a Virtual Ball and longtime LGBTQ+ activists Henry Grix, Howard Israel and Robert Tate will be recognized.
Ann Arbor Pride – Aug. 7 (Virtual)
Ann Arbor Pride, previously known as OUTFest, has been an exciting annual outdoor festival since 1995. Hosted by the Jim Toy Community Center, this year's festival may be virtual but it will still be a day of entertainment including amazing vocal performances from local and nationally recognized talent, live music, a variety of drag and burlesque shows, DJ performances, a kid zone and much more.
Holland Pride – Aug. 14
Holland Pride this year will feature, in addition to its Pride Open House in the Park, a poetry contest, free Pride yard signs, a 5K run, a raffle with several Pride-themed prizes and it will all wrap up with a drag show at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.
Transgender Pride in the Park – August, 28, 2021
Transgender Michigan is planning a hybrid event celebrating the 22nd anniversary of Transgender Pride in the Park and the 55th anniversary of the Compton's Cafeteria riot. Located in Ferndale from 12 noon 'till 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 28, the event will include a picnic (bring your own food) and a limited number of vendors.
Motor City Pride – originally Saturday, June 5-6 postponed to Sept. 18-19
Motor City Pride will return to Hart Plaza this year in September. Michigan's largest Pride festival usually attracts great crowds and this year, with the city scheduled to fully reopen by July and the hope of reaching herd immunity around the same time, should be no exception. MCP planners are planning on pulling out all the stops complete with a parade, a marketplace and, as always, live entertainment on five stages.
Ferndale Pride – originally June 5 postponed to Oct. 2
"We are planning to have a festival," said Ferndale Pride President Julia Music on the status of Ferndale Pride. "We have not been given any guidance as to if we're going to be able to have it 50 percent capacity or 100. We don't know. We're being told to proceed as if everything is normal."
Normal means two stages of entertainment, vendors, food trucks and more.
"If things don't get better we'll go virtual but for now we're planning on partying in the streets," Music said. "Ferndale Pride will produce a few events in June as well, including an LGBTQ book club and a Pride family night.
Macomb Pride – October 16
Headlined by Nikki Holland, Macomb Pride is organizing the "first ever grassroots Pride Festival in Macomb County." The event will be held in downtown Mount Clemens including a street fair with vendors, games, live performances, music, and more.
