The nationâs first official Black Gay Pride returns to its birthplace in the District with a packed lineup of parties, cultural events, and community gatherings celebrating the cityâs Black LGBTQIA+ community throughout Memorial Day Weekend.
Established in 1991, DC Black Pride remains the longest-running and largest Black Pride celebration in the United States.
Hereâs whatâs happening during this yearâs festivities:
ACTIVITIES + EXPERIENCES
TUESDAY
ART ACTIVATED: DC BLACK PRIDE
Thurst Lounge | 6p - 11p, free
Celebrating Black queer art & creativity with showcases from multidisciplinary artists, live performances, happy hour specials, & more. Attendees encouraged to wear something silver as a nod to DC Black Prideâs 2026 theme: the new Black Renaissance
Pride Poetry Workshop: Resistance
Arts Club of Washington | 6:30p - 8p, free
FRIDAY
Fruit Rollup
Blunt Sluts | 4p - 8p, $12
420-friendly creative kickback with video games on a projector screen, card & board games, crafts & art supplies, & more
Queer-women friendly
SATURDAY
THABIGDOGS Talk & Chew Brunch
Johnny Pistolas | 12p, free
Black Queer Musical Gathering
MLK Library | 1p - 2:30p, free
SUNDAY
DC Black Pride Celebration
Howard Theatre | 2p, free with RSVP
Will have a casting call for E. Lynn Harrisâ âInvisible Life: The Musical,â a block party, and a community talk back with Sidra Smith (producer/casting) and Javon Johnson (writer/director) from 6p - 7p (will have open bar)
PARTIES + MIXERS
WEDNESDAY
Elevate Ent presents Unwine Wednesday
Lucky Bar | 7p - 12a, free (no RSVP needed)
THURSDAY
The Soma Social: R&B Thursdays
Lucky Bar | 7p - 2a, free with RSVP
LGBTQIA+-friendly
Game Night
Thurst Lounge | 7p - 12a, free
Black Pride Happy Hour
Capo Italian Deli | 5:30p - 10p, $20
FRIDAY
ElevateEnt: MDW KICKOFF
Public Bar Live | 10p - 4a, $53+
Queer Aunties x SheShed presents Hot Honey
Prima | 10p - 2a, $45
Queer women-friendly
Booty Bounce: The Black Rodeo
Ivy City Smokehouse | 10p - 3a, $30
Queer women-friendly
Pride in the District Rooftop Welcome Party
Flash | 5p - 9p, free with RSVP
DITD PRIDE FEEL GOOD FRIDAZE
Sax | 10p - 3a, $34+
ACT XXIV: A PARTY IN THE DISTRICT
Sachi Nightclub | 10p - 3a, free before 11:24 with RSVP / $41 GA
SATURDAY
BOOZY BLACKOUT
Strand | 10p - 3a, $60+
THEE DITD PRIDE DAY PARTY
THRĹW Social | 4p - 10p, $34+
Queer Aunties and B.Hen Presents Cousins & âNem
Decades | 10p - 2a, $45
Queer women-friendly
Black Queer Joy: Brunch & Day Party
Mixxed | 12p - 7p, free
Club Cookout! A DC Black Pride Day Party
Spark Social | 2p - 6p, $25
Ticket includes a buffet
Batty Gyal: The Black Pride Bashment
Songbyrd | 11p, $27 (currently waitlist only)
Queer women-friendly
SUNDAY
POSH: DC Pride
Ai Warehouse | 10p - 4a, $45+
FOR THE GIRLS: DC BLACK PRIDE WEEKEND
Selva | 5p - 10p, $23
Queer women-friendly
ElevatEnt X WithLoveDC: Itâs 5 o Clock Somewhere
Lucky Bar | 9p - 2a, $56+
Ticket includes a breakfast burrito
R&B vs House
Johnny Pistolas | 10p, $30+
The Gym Jam by Play Play
1800 Perry St NE | 3p - 7p, $20
Will have a live drummer & games
Brunch with Pride
Dirty Habit | 12p - 4p, $20
ACTXXIV: a Brunch in the District
Vortex | 1p - 7p, free with RSVP
PITD Sunday: Sweat Rooftop Day Party
Society in Silver Spring, MD | 5p - 9p, free until 6p with RSVP
LGBTQIA+-friendly
Queer Aunties presents: Aunties in DC
THRĹW Social DC | 4p - 10p, $56 (currently waitlist only)
MEMORIAL DAY
Wicked Mondaze: MIMORIAL DAY
Perch Rooftop | 5p - 11p, free
Queer women-friendly
Memorial PLAY Cookout
Location given to attendees | 2p - 8p, $10
Will have food & interactive games. BYOB