Motor City Pride 2025 Entertainment Lineup Revealed: ‘Drag Race’ Stars Jackie Cox, Jan Sport, Plus Jai Rodriguez
Four stages will showcase drag royalty, local talent and electronic artists across two days at Hart Plaza
Get ready to celebrate loud and proud — Motor City Pride is back at Hart Plaza on June 7–8, and the performer lineup is officially out!
The two-day event will feature "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars Jackie Cox and Jan Sport, Brooklyn queer punk band PONY, nonbinary alt-rock artist Candi Carpenter and veteran Detroit DJ Stacey Hotwaxx Hale, along with dozens of other acts across four distinct stages.
As Michigan's longest-running Pride celebration, Motor City Pride remains a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ visibility and community building in Detroit. The festival serves as both celebration and advocacy, continuing the tradition that began in 1972 when the first march took place in downtown Detroit.
"The anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric we are seeing around the country reminds us all that we need Pride," David Wait, MCP chairperson, recently told Pride Source . "It is as important as ever to have Pride festivals and marches to advocate for full equality and inclusion for everyone and to support one another."
The festival will feature an enhanced experience this year, including additional space dedicated to community organizations and nonprofit groups serving LGBTQ+ residents and an expanded LGBTQ+ history exhibit. Organizers have also expanded this year's parade to welcome more participants and community groups.
Pride Stage features drag royalty and rising stars
The Pride Stage serves as the festival's main performance venue, hosting some of the weekend's biggest names.
Saturday:
- 1 p.m. - Elspeth Tremblay & The Treatment
- 2 p.m. - PONY
- 3 p.m. - Sabin's Drag
- 4 p.m. - Bentley Robles
- 5 p.m. - Jenna DeVries
- 6 p.m. - Candi Carpenter
- 7 p.m. - Sabin's Drag
- 8 p.m. - DJ Griffin Maxwell Brooks
Saturday's Pride Stage lineup spans multiple genres, from the indie folk sounds of Elspeth Tremblay & The Treatment to the alt-rock stylings of nonbinary artist Candi Carpenter, who has built a following for their authentic storytelling and LGBTQ-affirming lyrics. Pride Stage entertainment concludes at 8 p.m. with DJ Griffin Maxwell Brooks, a rising talent in the electronic music scene known for his energetic sets that blend house and pop influences.
Sunday:
- MC: Jai Rodriguez
- 1 p.m. - PRISM Choir
- 2 p.m. - Cole Redding
- 3 p.m. - "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Jackie Cox
- 3 p.m. - "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Jan Sport
- 4 p.m. - Madison Rose
- 6 p.m. - Sing Out Detroit Chorus
Sunday's Pride Stage will be hosted by Jai Rodriguez, who gained fame as the culture expert on Bravo's groundbreaking reality series "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy." The afternoon features a dynamic duo from "RuPaul's Drag Race" Season 12, with Jackie Cox and Jan Sport both taking the stage at 3 p.m. The pair, who developed a close friendship during their time on the show, have continued to collaborate on performances and tours since appearing together on the competition series. Both queens are known for their theatrical performance styles and strong vocal abilities.
Sunday's lineup also includes queer performer Madison Rose at 4 p.m. Rose is known for her captivating stage presence and versatile musical style that bridges pop and alternative influences.
Pyramid Stage spotlights local talent
The Pyramid Stage focuses on emerging and local artists across both days.
Saturday:
- 2 p.m. - Prince Devv
- 3 p.m. - deadbeatdad
- 4 p.m. - Matty P.
- 5 p.m. - Fremont Pike
- 6 p.m. - Kenny Nelson
- 7 p.m. - Mia Simone
The Pyramid Stage's Saturday lineup showcases a range of emerging talent, including deadbeatdad, an indie-rock act known for their raw, emotional songwriting and dynamic live performances. The stage wraps up with Mia Simone at 7 p.m. Simone is a vocalist whose soulful R&B style and powerful voice has been gaining attention in the Detroit music scene.
Sunday:
- 1 p.m. - Strut Honey Fashion Show
- 2:30 p.m. - Astromann
- 4 p.m. - Crystal Harding Drag Review
Dance Stage delivers non-etop electronic energy
For festival-goers looking to move, the Dance Stage offers continuous electronic music programming.
Saturday:
- 1 p.m. - Darryl G
- 3 p.m. - TYLR_
- 4:30 p.m. - RAEDY LEX
- 6 p.m. - KASS
- 7:30 p.m. - Stacey Hotwaxx Hale
Saturday's Dance Stage programming features RAEDYLEX at 4:30 p.m. RAEDY LEX is a Detroit-area electronic artist known for high-energy sets, followed by veteran DJ Stacey Hotwaxx Hale (recently featured on Pride Source) closing the stage at 7:30 p.m. Hale, a longtime fixture in Detroit's electronic music scene, brings decades of experience and is known for her ability to keep dance floors moving with expertly crafted house and techno sets.
Sunday:
- 12 p.m. - Brooke Steele
- 1 p.m. - DJ Rons
- 2 p.m. - amino
- 3 p.m. - HYPEMELO
- 3 p.m. - Margaret
- 4:15 p.m. - Luca Miel
- 4:15 p.m. - UR_IN
- 5:30 p.m. - Ashton Swinton
- 5:30 p.m. - Loren
Sunday's Dance Stage programming concludes with Detroit's Ashton Swinton at 5:30 p.m.. Swinton is an acid house DJ who has become a fixture in the city's underground electronic scene.
Don’t miss the Motor City Pride parade
The Pride parade kicks off at 12 p.m. Sunday from Fort and Griswold streets, making its way through downtown Detroit to Hart Plaza. Food vendors throughout the festival grounds will provide diverse dining options for attendees celebrating across both days.
Attendees are encouraged to check the Motor City Pride website before attending for practical information on parking options, public transit access and hydration stations — crucial for enjoying Pride comfortably in Detroit's often unpredictable June weather.
For more information, visit motorcitypride.org
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