June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month. If you’re looking for Pride events in Iowa in 2024, here are 15 of them.
The first Pride was in 1970, on the one-year commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising, which happened outside of the Stonewall Inn—a bar in New York City—on June 28, 1969.
To be sure, LGBTQ+ activists had been organizing pickets prior to Stonewall. But Stonewall proved a tipping point: In 1970, thousands of activists marched in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles in 1970 (and in Iowa City, too!), and the movement grew in the years to come.
These days, Prides are less protest action and more mainstream party, featuring family-friendly events backed by plenty of corporate sponsorship.
Iowa used to be more friendly than most states; we were only the third state in the nation to allow legal same-sex marriage, after a court decision, in April of 2009—six years before the US would follow suit, in June of 2015.
Yet, conservatives haven’t stopped trying to roll back LGBTQ+ rights. Iowa Republicans still want to ban same-sex marriage. And they continue to pass laws at the expense of the freedoms of LGBTQ+ folks, including plenty of laws that pick on LGBTQ+ kids.
Celebrating Pride in Iowa in 2024, therefore, feels a bit more like protest again.
This June and throughout the summer, here are 15 Pride events all across Iowa:
Quad Cities: May 31-June 1
Quad Cities Pride Festival
5 p.m.-midnight May 31, noon-midnight June 1, Schwiebert Riverfront Park
Put on by the Quad Cities Pride Alliance, who founded it in 2008 and revived it in 2017, this two-day festival will feature drag headliners Ada Vox (May 31) and Elliott With 2 T’s (June 1), along with musical performances like DJ Drew and Jordan Danielson, dance by Belly Divas Dance and Acro Yoga QC, vendors, and more. There will also be a Unity Pride Parade on June 1 from Davenport to Rock Island, Illinois.
Dubuque: June 1
Dubuque Pride Festival
Noon-4 p.m., outside of the Multicultural Family Center on 11th Street
The event will feature a DJ, drag performers, activities, vendors, and even free lunch (while it lasts).
Ottumwa: June 1
Ottumwa Pride Block Party
3-10 p.m., Central Park
In its fourth year, Ottumwa Pride 2024 is featuring musicians Paige Clouse and The Gallant Vagabonds, drag performers like Nana Tuckit and Andromeda Reneé Rivera, a pet parade and costume contest, a kids’ art class in the park, and more.
Sioux City: June 1
SUX Pride / Sioux City Pride Festival
11 a.m., Sioux City Convention Center / 11 a.m.-4 p.m., downtown Fourth Street, Sioux City
Established in 2016 and named after its infamous airport code, SUX Pride is an all-day indoor event featuring local and national drag performers like Axel Andrews and Veronica Kennedy. Sioux City Pride Festival, put on by Siouxland Pride Alliance, bills itself as the “drug/alcohol/tobacco free, appropriate for ALL ages” Pride event at the same time, and will feature a DJ, community resource fair, and free lunch.
The weekend will feature other events too, like the Pride Parade and a game night on May 30, outdoor SUX Pride in downtown Sioux City and a burlesque and leather show at Kings and Queens on May 31, and a drag brunch at 11 a.m. at the Hard Rock Casino on June 2.
Des Moines: June 7-9
Capital City Pride
5-11 p.m. June 7, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. June 8, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. June 9, East Village, Des Moines
The 45th annual event will feature a parade, musical acts like Rebecca Black and the Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus, drag performers like Shea Couleé and Gottmik, and a wide variety of activities and food.
Capital City also puts on events throughout the month, including a 5K, Pride Book Club, Let Love Serve Volleyball Tournament, a drag brunch, and more.
More information about Capital City Pride here.
Cedar Rapids: June 8
Pride Parade
1-3 p.m., NewBo/Czech Village District
The 3rd annual parade has the theme, “Grow with Pride.”
North Liberty: June 8
Let Love Fly
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Centennial Park
If you like supporting the LGBTQ+ community, AND flying a kite, this one’s for you. Watch Great American Kites fly “mega kites” up to 200 feet in length, and even build your own to fly. Dogs are welcome, and there will be vendors and food too.
Iowa City: June 15
Iowa City Pride Festival
Noon-10 p.m., downtown Iowa City
Iowa’s oldest Pride festival (tracing their roots back to 1970) will feature Iowa musicians mars hojilla and BYOBrass, drag performers like Kendra Onixx and Gia Gunn, with the theme this year of “Forward With Strength.”
Vinton: June 15
2nd annual Benton County Pride
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Celebration Park
Ankeny: June 22
Ankeny Pride
4-9 p.m., Ankeny Market and Pavilion
The third-annual event features a talent showcase, a pet parade, vendors and more.
Fort Dodge: June 22
Fort Dodge Pride Festival
10 a.m.-5 p.m., Fort Dodge Public Library
West Des Moines: June 30
Valley Junction Pride
Noon-4 p.m., Railroad Park
Brand new for 2024, Valley Junction Pride will be put on by Bing’s Des Moines, Kunzler Studios, and Annie’s Foundation, and include entertainment, a pet parade, a maker’s market, and more.
Cedar Rapids: July 6
CR Pride
Noon-6 p.m., NewBo City Market
Featuring drag performers like Jaida Essence Hall and Dawn, musical performers like Ian McConnell, and over 140 vendors.
Greater Omaha and Council Bluffs: July 13
Heartland Pride
10 a.m. parade, downtown Council Bluffs; noon-10 p.m. festival, CHI Arena and Capitol District
Going since 2010, Heartland Pride features live entertainment, a karaoke ballroom, over 150 vendors, and more.
Waterloo: Aug. 23-24
Cedar Valley Pridefest
5:30 p.m.-midnight Aug. 23, noon-midnight Aug. 24
Now in its 12th year, the two-day festival—generally the last Pride of the summer—features live music and drag performances from national and local acts, a fashion show, educational speakers, yoga, food, vendors, and more.
