Pride month has officially begun. Here’s how you can celebrate in Charlotte
Every year in June since the Stonewall Riots in 1969, the LGBTQ community celebrates Pride Month around the world.
While Charlotte’s annual Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade won’t return until August, after two years and limited gatherings due to COVID-19, there will be plenty of Pride events happening all around the city this month to recognize the national celebration and support the local LGBTQ community.
Here are a few Charlotte events you can participate in to help get in the spirit of Pride:
Pride Pancakes at Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Location: Snooze, an A.M. Eatery
Plaza Midwood: 1331 Central Ave. Ste. 100, Charlotte, NC 28205
South End: 2041 South Blvd. Suite 106, Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood, South End
When: June 1-30
What to know: In honor of Pride Month, both Snooze locations will be serving Pride Pancakes — fluffy buttermilk pancakes filled with white chocolate chips and natural rainbow sprinkles, topped with sweet cream drizzle, whipped mascarpone and even more rainbow sprinkles. Snooze will donate 100 percent of all Pride Pancake sales to The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) young people, and Snooze has committed to a donation of at least $25,000.
Cost: $9.75 for Pride Pancakes
[RELATED: Juniper Grill is open in Ballantyne — just in time for patio season.]
Slay Sunday Pride Month Drag Brunch
Location: Queen Park Social, 4125 Yancey Rd., Charlotte, NC 28217
Neighborhood: Lower South End
When: June 5, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
What to know: Join this drag show for music from DJ Vanna Vanity and hours of entertainment. Food and beverages will be served at an additional cost, and elevated experiences are available. Doors open at 11 a.m., and the show begins at noon. Seating is first-come first-serve; however reservations for groups of more than 10 can be arranged by emailing thevanityhouse@gmail.com. Ticket prices will increase at the door. 21+ only.
Cost: Tickets start at $25 plus fees and tax. Purchase online.
Truist Training Tour Pride Run
Location: Common Market SouthEnd, 235 W. Tremont Ave., Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End, Wilmore
When: June 11
What to know: Go on a four-mile run/walk around town to celebrate Pride Month with the free Truist Training Tour Pride Run. The event is hosted by Around the Crown 10K, sponsored by Truist, in partnership with two of the Carolinas’ largest LGBTQ+ sports organizations for running and amateur spots, Stonewall Sports and Front Runners. Enjoy giveaways from Brooks, Truist, coffee, food, and a rainbow mimosa bar.
Cost: Free with registration.
Pride Drag Show & Paw-rade
Location: Skiptown, 222 Rampart St. Charlotte, NC 28203
Neighborhood: South End
When: June 17-18
What to know: All weekend long, Skiptown will host Pride-themed activities, benefiting its nonprofit partner, Time Out Youth, a Charlotte-based organization that offers support, advocacy and opportunities for personal development and social interaction to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth ages 11-24.
On Friday, June 17, Skiptown will host its first-ever drag show starting at 8 p.m. hosted by Patti O’Furniture.
On Saturday, June 18, Skiptown will hold a “Pup-Up Market Adoption Event” and two “Most Prideful Pup” costume contests at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., judged by team members from Time Out Youth. Skiptown will also be serving a specialty cocktail for the weekend called Thyme for Love: orange-thyme Moscow mule made with Tito’s vodka and garnished with a sprig of thyme and an orange wheel. The pet boarding service and dog park will donate $1 from each cocktail sold to Time Out Youth, plus From Tito’s With Love will be matching each donation dollar for dollar.
Cost: Free for Skiptown members; $15 for Skiptown Day Pass. Purchase on the Skiptown app.
World of Beer Pride Bar Crawl
Location: World of Beer, 210 E. Trade St. #E280, Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
When: June 18, 4-11:59 p.m.
What to know: Registration will be from 4-6 p.m. at World of Beer. Tickets include two drinks or shots, redeemable at the bar of your choice with voucher, waived cover at all participating venues, custom Pride badge with vouchers and more. A portion of proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project.
Cost: $15-20. Purchase online.
Pride Drag Me To Dinner
Location: The Hide-A-Way, 405 E. Baskins Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730
Neighborhood: Rock Hill, SC
When: June 10, 8-11 p.m.
What to know: Drag Me To Dinner is Rock Hill’s only drag dinner, hosted on the second Friday of each month. For Pride Month, a portion of its June show proceeds will be donated to Rock Hill Pride. Ticket includes admission and dinner catered by Kre8 Xperiences and Kounter of Rock Hill.
Cost: $25 plus fees. Purchase online.
Official Pride Bar Crawl LIVE!
Location: Tattooz & Booz, 505 E. 6th St. Unit 100, Charlotte, NC 28202
Neighborhood: Uptown
When: June 25, 2-9 p.m.
What to know: Register and pick up your wristband from 2-4 p.m. at Tattooz & Booz. All wristband holders receive free entrance to five or more LGBTQ+ friendly bars, including Tattooz & Booz, Prohibition Bar, Local Bar, Istanbul Hookah Lounge, Roxbury Nightclub and more (list subject to change), food and drink specials, themed drinks, DJs and entertainment at select bars and more.
Cost: $15-30. Purchase online.
This story was originally published June 1, 2022 at 6:05 AM.
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