Everything you need to know about the 2023 Philly Pride march and festival

Philly will be awash in rainbow colors on June 4, as Philly Pride kicks off in the Gayborhood. This year’s theme is “Love, Light, and Liberation,” with tens of thousands of people expected to attend.

Philly’s Pride events have had a rough four years: COVID-19 canceled all 2020 events; Philly Pride Presents, the host organization for two-plus decades, abruptly disbanded in 2021; a new group, PHL Pride Collective, and nonprofit Galaei oversaw 2022′s festivities. As reported by The Inquirer, the PHL Pride Collective split from Galaei, with some members citing disputes surrounding ownership of the event, engagement with the police, and financial transparency afterward.

Galaei is the sole organizer of 2023′s march and festival. Floats and vehicles will not be permitted during the former. The festival encompasses blocks of the Gayborhood, with six stages for performances, family and sensory-friendly areas, on-site therapists, food trucks, and more. Here’s everything you need to know about Philly Pride 2023.

The march kicks off at 10:30 a.m. at Sixth and Walnut Streets, rain or shine. The festival is from noon to 7 p.m. between Walnut, Cypress, Quince, and Juniper Streets.

The march and festival are free, with no registration or tickets required.

The Love, Light, and Liberation march begins at 10:30 a.m. with music, speeches, and a Lenape land acknowledgment.

Around 11 a.m., folks will leave Sixth Street, between Walnut and Spruce, led by the Bearded Ladies cabaret group. Marshaled by community organization Philly Dyke March and Galaei’s program coordinator Diamond Anthony, marchers will continue to Walnut and 10th Streets, down to Locust Street and into the Gayborhood.

As you walk, watch for the 200-foot-long Pride flag trying to set the record for the biggest Pride flag in Pennsylvania. Galaei designed it to follow the Philadelphia Pride flag colors and added light blue, pink, and white to include the trans community.

This year’s Pride features everything from family-friendly spaces to low-sensory areas and free STI testing. Here are events you can look forward to:

Bringing children? Check the Youth and Family section between 13th and Juniper and Spruce to Locust Streets. It’s an alcohol- and smoke-free space with what the festival calls “age-appropriate” activities (no details have been provided). The Attic Youth Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence, Galaei’s SPLAT program, Philly Family Pride, and the William Way LGBT Community Center are curating this space.

Bright colors and loud noise can cause sensory overload for some folks. If you need a place to have a quiet break, go to South Sartain Street, between Locust and Manning. This area has free water and snack stations, tables, shade-covered seating, a cooling station, accessible bathrooms, wheelchair charging docks, adult changing stations, and low-volume, relaxing music.

Before officially opening its doors to the full LGBTQ+ community, Galaei was dedicated to helping the queer Latinx community. Returning to its roots, the organization will host Bailar y Amor (”dancing and love”), a space to honor Afro Latinx heritage through dancing. Grab a partner or groove along on Spruce, between Camac and 12th Streets.

Any ballroom lovers? This year’s Pride features Kiki Alley, celebrating Philly’s ballroom history. Visit Chancellor Street, between 13th and Juniper to see performances curated by Sway Philly and BOS Philly.

You don’t need alcohol to enjoy Pride, and this area celebrates those who’d prefer to stay sober. On Irving Street between Juniper and 13th, this space features zero-alcohol drinks catered by local bar Writer’s Block Rehab.

You might be at Pride to celebrate, but put a pin on it for a moment to get free STI testing at the Pop Wellness section, on Spruce between 13th and Camac Streets. Folks can get free STI testing and mpox shots (previously known as monkeypox), no insurance needed. If you don’t feel like doing it at that exact moment, book an appointment and be linked to care and resources.

As you walk around the festival, check out the 200 participating artisans and vendors. Locals the Butterfly Corner, TC’s Candle Shop, and South Street Art Mart are among them, to name a few.

Philly Pride 2023 has six stages across Kiki Alley, Bailar y Amor, Sober Vices, and the Youth and Family sections. Look forward to over 50 performers throughout the day, including DJ Robert Drake, burlesque dancer Rita Brujeria, and performance artist Icon Ebony Fierce.

All the marching and events are sure to make you hungry.The festival’s food truck area is along 13th Street, between Spruce and Locust. You can look forward to 20 food trucks, including local Indian restaurant Masala Kitchen.

If you are over 21, Cockatoo, Franky Bradley’s, Tabu, and Woody’s are in the area.

Apple users can download the LGBTQ+ community app, Eden, to see a full map of vendors, community partners, and events throughout the festival.

Over 10 streets will be closed for the parade and festival. Closures and temporary no parking zones begin at 5 a.m. in the following areas:

For those taking public transportation, keep an eye out for detours. SEPTA buses 12, 23, and 45 will be detoured from 4:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Check www.septa.org for route changes.