Since 1976, seven years after the Stonewall Rebellion in New York City created a watershed moment for LGBTQ+ civil rights, Pride marches and festivals have taken place in Oregon. The larger Pride celebrations take place in Portland (in July), Eugene (in June), Salem (in September) and Bend (in June), drawing thousands of LGBTQ+ folks and allies.
That’s just the beginning. More than two dozen Oregon communities organize Pride events throughout the year, from Sherwood to Lake Oswego and far beyond. These typically smaller gatherings can be a great way to experience a destination in a new light and bond with like-minded folks. Visiting during these spirited annual events provides a wonderful opportunity to express your solidarity with the queer community, meet new friends and enjoy a wide range of inclusive entertainment, from live music to drag shows. Here are some of the top ways to celebrate Pride in towns big and small across the state, and visit Portland-based Pride Northwest for more inspo.
Southern Oregon and Willamette Valley Queer Pride
Gina DuQuenne, the president of Southern Oregon Pride in Ashland (held in October), recalls that Pride events were a rarity in this part of the state when she founded the first one in 2010. She’s thrilled to see that these days you can attend other Pride gatherings in Grants Pass (in June), Medford (in June), and Douglas County Pride in Roseburg (celebrating in June with a parade and September with a festival).
In planning the Ashland celebration, DuQuenne wanted it to take place during a time of year in which it wouldn’t be competing with other Pride events. October also worked nicely because it’s National Coming Out month. “The whole city opens up for Pride, starting with a First Friday Art Walk, and then our Pride Parade takes place on Saturday,” says DuQuenne. The year 2025 marks the 15th anniversary, and first-time partner Mt. Ashland Ski Area will host a Pride Ride mountain biking event.
Southern Oregon’s wine country won’t be left out of the fun. In mid-June the Country Queer Summerfest celebrates “Rural Realness” at LongSword Vineyard in Jacksonville. This family-friendly event will feature drag performances, a silent disco dance party, a queer marketplace and a kid zone at a small winery with big views of the surrounding mountains, where paragliders can be seen catching wind. Kids are free and welcome until the evening hours; discounted presale tickets are available for adults.
In the Willamette Valley, Wine Country Pride in and around McMinnville typically presents a couple of different events throughout the year. Look for events like a Winter Ball and a Pride Street Fair. The town’s openly queer former mayor, Remy Drabkin, organizes a yearly Queer Wine Fest at her winery in nearby Dayton.
In the mid-Willamette Valley, Corvallis Pride takes place in May in the town’s leafy Central Park. June events to attend in this gorgeous part of the state, perhaps while visiting nearby wineries, include Monmouth Pride, Canby Pride, and Albany Pride.
Festivities in the Columbia River Gorge and on the Oregon Coast
In the Columbia Gorge, Hood River Pride is set for the June weekend and includes a parade and Drag Bingo on Friday night, as well as a Diva Drag Brunch the following day. Note that this picturesque and outdoorsy town also presents a Winter PrideFest in late February or early March — check the website for dates. Also in the Gorge, Dalles Pride will take place in June at Lewis & Clark Park. And just outside Portland in June, Beaverton Pride has developed a popular following for its welcoming parade and festive Pride in the Park celebration in Beaverton City Park. Others in the metro Portland area to experience include Oregon City Pride (in September), Hillsboro Pride (in June) and Sandy Pride (in June).
During the four-day Astoria Pride (in June), which started in 2015, events include festive Friday-night Pride pub crawl, a Saturday parade and festival, followed by an evening gala at the city’s historic Liberty Theatre, and a lively Sunday Pride brunch. Enjoyable events that traditionally take place during the three-day Newport Pride (in September) on the Oregon Coast range from the invigorating Pride Run and Queer Fun Fair to a movie night — wear your best costume. Other annual gatherings along the Coast include Pride in Seaside, which usually takes place in October, and Yachats Pride, which will feature a playful “Gays in Space” theme in 2025 for its three-day event held in June — expect a vendor fair, a Trans Tea Party and a performance by a David Bowie cover band. Lincoln City Pride Fest hosts celebrations in late June. On the South Coast, you’ll find Coos Bay Pride in the Park (in August) and Brookings Pride in the Park (in June), both organized by Southern Oregon Coast Pride.
Small-Town Celebrations in Eastern and Central Oregon
East of the Cascades, the Pride festivities continue in a handful of towns in the month of June. Eastern Oregon Pride takes place on the eastern side of the state in Ontario, and in Central Oregon, Redmond Pride puts on a show that may include fire-dancing performances and plenty of colorful costumes.
In Prineville, roughly 20 miles east of Redmond, the aptly named Prideville gathering will include food, activities and drag performers. Becca Hurley, a board member of Prideville, mentions that many attendees she’s met at this event have described it as their favorite Pride gathering. During this family-friendly celebration at Pioneer Park, which features a vendor and organization fair, Hurley runs the Affirmation Station, a booth where folks are invited to design their own Pride flags. This personable festival is “small enough that you actually get to talk with people and make connections,” notes Hurley.
