Today, Pride events combine flamboyant fun and rainbow everything with serious political activism. However, the first Pride demonstration, held in 1970, was a mostly serious affair, held to mark the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots, which broke out when patrons of a New York City gay bar resisted the police raiding the establishment.
This year, the North Shore has plenty to offers LGBTQ+ community members and allies, whether they are looking for serious reflection and community-building or a vibrant party (or some of both).
Newburyport Pride, Newburyport | May 29-June 5
Newburyport’s packed slate of events includes a May 29 kick-off party at the Sunset Club, a flag-raising on May 30, a parade and festival on May 31, and lots of other events and performances. Visit newburyportpride.com to check out the whole line-up.
Cape Ann Pride Week 2025, Gloucester | May 29-June 8
Cape Ann Pride Week begins with a Kick-Off Party: “Out By the Ocean” at Drift, the event is free. Other events during the week include Cape Ann Bowls with Pride on May 31, Pride Teen Dance on May 31, and “Embrace the Rainbow—and the Diva Within” at Rockport’s Shalin Liu Performance Center. More details at capeannpride.org.
United Lynn Pride events, Lynn | All of June
Lynn is overflowing with Pride this year. The city’s busy schedule includes a Film Premiere & Screening:
Finding Refuge Demanding Equality on June 8, Youth Film Screening: Finding Refuge Demanding
Equality on June 9, and Pride Flag Raising on June 24. The full schedule with all the details is online at unitedlynnpride.com/pride2025.com.
Pride through Music, The Cabot, Beverly | June 1
North Shore Pride partners for this event with the Cape Ann Symphony and American drag artist and classical musician Thorgy Thor to kick off Pride month with Pride Through Music: A Night of North Shore Pride, Song and Celebration at 5 PM on June 1. Tickets at thecabot.org/event/pride-through-music.com.
Pride Promenade, Off Cabot, Beverly | June 28
Join Off Cabot after the North Shore Pride Parade for their Second Annual PRIDE PROMENADE! Their open stage will feature all different kinds of queer art. You’ll see Queens, Kings, thing and so much more! Hosted by Miz Diamond Wigfall, Buster Pants and Maxine Harrison. Tickets at thecabot.org/event/pride-promenade.com.
Pride Pawrty, RiverWalk Brewing, Newburyport | June 1
Get the whole family – even the four-legged members – involved in the celebration. RiverWalk’s Pride Pawrty will feature a mutt strut, agility course, dog treats, photobooth, music, kids’ activities, and, of course, locally brewed beer. Learn more at newburyportpride.com/events/pride-pawrty-1.com.
Tri-Town Pride, Topsfield | June 1
Topsfield, Boxford, and Middleton get together for the fourth annual Tri-Town Pride Parade, which will wind its way through downtown Topsfield, ending at the town common for a community celebration complete with entertainment, food, and educational resources. Learn more at tritownpride.my.canva.site.com.
HW Pride Picnic, Patton Homestead, South Hamilton | June 8
This family-friendly, all-ages afternoon of community and pride will include live music, arts and crafts, drag makeup tutorials, lawn games, and plenty of opportunities for conversation and learning. Bring your own lunch or visit one of the local food trucks. More details at hwhumanrights.org/pride-picnic.com.
North Shore Pride Parade and Festival, Salem | June 28
At what is perhaps the North Shore’s largest Pride celebration, the fun starts at noon with a parade starting at Shetland Park and ending at Salem Common. The Festival takes place on Salem Common from 11am-4pm, and then goes deep with an after-party at Bit Bar Salem. Check out the lineup at northshorepride.org/parade-festival.
PEM Pride 2025, Peabody Essex Museum, Salem | June 5-7
The Peabody Essex Museum’s Pride celebrations begin on June 5 with a free community gathering for LGBTQIA+ folks and allies. Grab a bite to eat and build connections within the queer community with a music-filled social hour. Local drag artists Buster Pants and Maxine Harrison will be there to highlight their work with NAGLY, and youth from NAGLY will have an open stage to share their talents. On June 6 join the PEM for a reading of Pride Puppy! by Robin Stevenson, a rhyming alphabet book about a lost dog offers a joyful glimpse of a Pride parade and the vibrant community that celebrates this day each year. The PEM presents a puppet musical about self-discovery, friendship and late-stage capitalism on June 7. Gooey’s Toxic Aquatic Adventure is written and performed by La Daniella, an AfroDominican/Nuyorican playwright, actor and puppeteer from Brooklyn. Learn more at pem.org/events.com.