Rainbow ragers abound for Pride weekend in Las Vegas

Many people know that June is nationally recognized as LGBT Pride Month to coincide with the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots that fueled the Gay Liberation Movement. But did you know that October is LGBT History Month, which honors 31 different queer icons (one for each day of the month) each year? Better yet, did you know Las Vegas saves its Pride celebrations for this month? After all, despite the near ubiquity of folding fans in any queer space, it’s far too hot for outdoor celebrations in the desert in June.

Pride Weekend kicks off Oct. 11 with the 41st annual Las Vegas PRIDE Night Parade in downtown Las Vegas, which happens to take place on National Coming Out Day. Hosted by local drag performer Andrew Ryan, News 13’s Abel Garcia and Mrs. PRIDE Las Vegas 2024 Norma Llyaman, the block party-style celebration includes food trucks, exhibitors and live performances. See parade grand marshalls, the Teletubbies and Kappa Turtle of Kappa Toys, social media sensations and LGBTQ activists “The Old Gays,” and more. 

Following the parade, the Las Vegas PRIDE Festival in downtown Las Vegas promises a full day of fun on Oct. 12 with family-friendly fun from noon to 7 p.m. and adults-only shenanigans until 11 p.m. The Teletubbies return for the all-ages portion in addition to the Las Vegas Puppets Show and drag performer Nina West, who’s hosting story time.

The Rainbow Stage features a diverse array of representation, including House of Vegas Pride, Las Vegas Latin Pride and Keyska’s Divas while the Center Stage will elevate pop artist MkX, Las Vegas PRIDE Royalty and other talent. Stick around until the end for a Teletubbies Rave. A highlight of both the parade and the festival, the Sin Sity Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence, a non-profit group consisting of queer nuns dedicated to serving the LGBTQ community, will perform non-denominational blessings at each event to highlight the importance of inclusivity and advocacy for the community.

This year, Las Vegas PRIDE not only hosts its annual parade and festival, but a variety of events for LGBTQ folks of all tastes. Get in touch with nature while learning a bit of Nevada history on Oct. 6 during the 10 a.m. Las Vegas PRIDE OUTside Hike at the Historic Railroad Tunnels just past the edge of town. The beginner-friendly trail, complete with many informational displays, follows along Lake Mead and through the massive, cavernous tunnels that allowed workers to transport building supplies to the Hoover Dam site. If you’d rather roll around proudly, consider lacing up your skates on Oct. 7 for PRIDE Skate Night at Crystal Palace from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Hosted by Norma Llyaman, who’s performed at every gay bar in town and at many Strip properties, this event promises a high-energy, substance-free night of celebration.

Cannonball into the festivities on Oct. 13 at SAHARA Las Vegas’ Elevate Las Vegas PRIDE Pool Party, which takes place at the Azilo Ultra Pool from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and brings live performances, go-go dancers, giveaways and much more to partiers of all identities (as long as you identify as 21 or older).

Daytime digs also include the over-the-top Drag Brunch at Señor Frogs inside Treasure Island. The long-running show features top-tier drag performers, including some you may know from the Emmy-winning TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race, and other incredible local queens.

Speaking of RuPaul’s Drag Race, snag some seats at the live rendition of the competition-reality TV show at Flamingo at ticketmaster.com. With a rotating cast of fan-favorite queens, the production includes enough comedy and lip syncing to satisfy even the most voracious appetites for drag.

Need more drag? At 24 Oxford inside Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, see the legendary Latrice Royale on Oct. 11 and the iconic Alyssa Edwards on Oct. 12. Both fan-favorite queens from early seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race promise shows full of glitz, glam and talent. Also at Virgin, stop by Kassi Beach House on Oct. 9 for a Pride house party or the Shag Room on Oct. 10 for a Pride art mixer. Close out the weekend on Oct. 13 with Daddy’s Upside Down Tea Party, a boozy take on the traditional tea time.

If you’d rather stay off-Strip for your gaiety, plan a night out at AREA15, where options abound. Pop into the Portal on Oct. 10 for a Pride show by queer bass music star Wreckno and genre-blending artist Maddy O’Neal. Pregame the show with Pride Karaoke night at the Wall. No gay pop star is hotter than Chappell Roan right now, and while the performer herself won’t be in the building, you can feel like you’re in the Pink Pony Club when you step into the Wall on Oct. 11 for Hot To Go: The Chappell Roan Party. Also in the Wall, the high-energy Beyond Brunch on Oct. 13 promises drag performances and variety acts that will blow your mind.

Get off the beaten path at some of the city’s most exciting gay bars. Find the official parade afterparty at Piranha and Gipsy on Oct. 11 or stop into the P the morning after for a special edition of Beyond Brunch, the variety show spectacular that usually runs at AREA15. If that’s not enough brunch for you, sip bottomless mimosas at a special Pride edition of Gipsy’s Ultra Brunch Oct. 13 featuring nationally recognized Drag Queens and resident entertainers. You’ll also find weekly events like Hot Mess Mondays and Latin Tuesdays at Piranha, Humpday Karaoke at Badlands Las Vegas and Drag Brunch at The Garden.

Want to see it all? Book a Maverick Helicopters tour over the city to get a bird’s-eye view of the festivities.

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