St Pete Pride 2022 participants. Photo by Dylan Todd.
St Pete Pride‘s month-long celebration is well underway, a testament to the organization’s promise that you can’t stop Pride.
Below, find out when and where to celebrate 21 years of St Pete Pride with events led by or held in conjunction with the organization, followed by events which have already happened. Read Watermark’s in-depth coverage about this year’s celebration here.
FRIDAY, JUNE 23
Friday Night Concert: Idina Menzel
$35, 6-10 p.m.
Jannus Live, 200 1st Ave. N., Ste. 206, St. Petersburg
International stage and screen star Idina Menzel headlines this year’s Friday Night Concert. The longtime LGBTQ+ ally — known for her roles as Maureen in “RENT,” Elphaba in “Wicked” and Elsa in Disney’s animated “Frozen” films — will be joined by fan favorite local entertainment in this 18+ event. Angelique Young hosts and will be joined by fellow fan favorites like Brianna Summers, Ashlee T. Bangkx, Girls Rock Camp St. Pete band Anarkitty, Queen Sheba Bethsheba A. Rem and St Pete Pride’s newly 2023 court: Miss St Pete Pride Ceazia Giovanni Kreshé, Mr St Pete Pride Mr. Vyn Suazion and Mx St Pete Pride KaMarion Lavish.
SATURDAY, JUNE 24
St Pete Pride TransMarch, Parade and Festival
No Cost, 2-10 p.m.
Vinoy and North Straub Park, Downtown St. Petersburg
Celebrate St Pete Pride’s 21st year in this accessible, safe space for the LGBTQ+ community. Festivities begin at 2 p.m. on both sides of the parade route, which runs from Albert Whitted Park to Vinoy Park along Bayshore Dr. Vinoy Park hosts this year’s main stage entertainment like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Malaysia Babydoll Foxx, VIP cabanas and more. The TransMarch will also step off from Vinoy at 5:15 p.m., ending at the start of this year’s parade. Read our interview with Malaysia Babydoll Foxx here.
SUNDAY, JUNE 25
Pride in Grand Central Street Fair
No Cost, 12-5 p.m.
The Grand Central District, St. Petersburg
Return to where it all started for St Pete Pride’s street fair. This all-ages celebration features block by block of entertainment, vendors, food, community partners and interactive games. Expect street performers and hundreds of participating businesses and organizations like Cocktail, which features entertainers Tiffany, Sheena Easton and more. Read our interview with Easton here.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28
Transtastic
No Cost, 6 p.m.
Museum of Fine Arts, 255 Beach Dr. N.E., St. Petersburg
This welcome event celebrates Tampa Bay’s transgender and nonbinary community, showcasing a variety of talent, artistry and more. Guests will meander through both indoor and outdoor spaces enjoying appetizers and a cash bar.
FRIDAY, JUNE 30
Queer-E-Okee
$20+, 7 p.m.
The Palladium, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg
Celebrity host Carson Kressley returns to welcome hundreds for a hilarious and love-filled evening of music and camaraderie. The “Drag Race” judge will introduce a roster of local queer musicians who will perform some of the community’s most beloved songs while the audience sings along with the help of karaoke style lyrics projected onto a large screen. Tickets are $20, $45 or $75, with separate meet and greet tickets available for $50. Doors open for that and more at 6 p.m.
PREVIOUS EVENTS
Festivities began in the city June 1, when LGBTQ advocates and allies from throughout Tampa Bay gathered at St. Petersburg City Hall to hoist the Pride flag above the local landmark for the 10th year in a row:
An official kick-off party in The Grand Central District followed:
On June 10, two other St Pete Pride events returned. The first was LGBTQ+ Youth and Family Day and the second was “Get Nude: Shades of Melanin,” presented in partnership with the Tampa Bay Black Lesbians:
SATURDAY, JUNE 17
Shades of Pride Festival
No Cost, 5 p.m.-3 a.m. Sunday, June 18
The Factory, 2622 Fairfield Ave. S., St. Petersburg
Shades of Pride purposefully centers the voices of the Black and brown LGBTQ+ community by uplifting their experiences through collaboration, local entertainment and vendors from within the community. The 18+ festival celebrates the history of Juneteenth, showcases art and culture and once again welcomes special guest TS Madison.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21
Stonewall Reception
$75, 6-9 p.m.
The James Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
The iconic Stonewall Reception honors brave individuals who have fought for the recognition of civil rights and given hope to so many. Share light bites, drinks and entertainment with St Pete Pride sponsors, community partners and government officials to celebrate progress and give credit to those who have made LGBTQ+ Pride possible.
