Seattle Embraces Pride This Weekend
Seattle’s Pride season is back and louder than ever — but this year, it’s less about rainbow capitalism and more about grassroots energy, authentic queer joy, and standing up for LGBTQIA2S+ rights in a rapidly shifting political climate.
In 2025, Pride in Seattle is more than a parade — it’s a bold act of visibility, remembrance, and resistance. It’s also a celebration that’s deeply tied to the city’s progressive legacy and ever-evolving queer history.
Seattle’s first official Pride march took place in 1974, five years after the Stonewall uprising in New York City. What started as a small, grassroots demonstration on Capitol Hill has since grown into one of the largest Pride celebrations in the Pacific Northwest — drawing over 300,000 people each June. The parade winds down 4th Ave toward Seattle Center and parties, impromptu dancing and more takes place along the route. For years, noted Southern social leader JJ McKay had an A list brunch on the route where elected and other VIPs would stop for a "to go cup" to help them complete the parade.
Over the decades, Seattle Pride has evolved into both a celebration and a reminder of unfinished work. The event demonstrates how all of Seattle turns out to celebrate.
Seattle’s Pride events have always had a hint of politics. From Senator Patti Murray's presence to the out electeds like Sally Clark or Joy Hollingsworth. This year, City City Council President chose not to march with her campaign team, but rather with groups who feel it is important to be heard. The goal is to highlight the growing threats to LGBTQ rights nationwide. The month and parede are a chance to not just show solidarity, but to recommit to policy action. An example is mayorol candidate Joe Mallhan gave and helped raise funds for the Pride after sponsorship dropped off.
Here are the events for Pride weekend with the weekend kicking off with the rumble of engines from the legendary Dykes on Bikes marks the official start of the Seattle Pride Parade, as it has for decades.
Dykes on Bikes
🔹 June 27 – Trans Pride Seattle and Indigiqueer FestivalTrans Pride focuses on trans-led storytelling and organizing; Indigiqueer centers Two-Spirit and Indigenous queer culture.
🔹 June 27–29 – Queer/Pride Festival (Capitol Hill)
A ticketed, 21+ nightlife celebration with performances by Tinashe, Lil’ Kim, and Countess Luann.
🔹 June 28 – Capitol Hill PrideFest
Free music, booths, and community performances stretching along Broadway.
🔹 June 29 – Seattle Pride Parade & PrideFest at Seattle Center
The main event: A massive, colorful march from downtown to Seattle Center, followed by a full-day festival. Look for local orgs, youth groups, music, marching bands, and unapologetic fun.
The 2025 theme — “Now!” — is a reminder: the time to speak out, show up, and protect each other is now. Millennials and Gen Z who grew up with more visible queerness in pop culture and politics and are more open to being flued. This year’s Pride underscores the hard-won progress isn’t guaranteed.