It’s time to dig up your rainbow attire and beaded necklaces — the D.C. Pride Festival is back on Saturday.
This year, the 40th annual celebration — which brings together students, politicians and everyone in between to celebrate LGBT pride — will feature your favorite guilty pleasure musicians performing at the Capitol Concert Stage, from 1990s girl group Wilson Phillips to “Call Me Maybe” singer Carly Rae Jepsen.
Produced by Capital Pride, the festival is also an opportunity to learn about LGBT history. Before the parade kicks off at 4:30 p.m. at 22nd and P Streets, you can check out a 10 a.m. historic gay walking tour by Dupont Circle to learn about D.C. LGBT movements that date back to the 1960s.
If music and dancing are more your thing, head to the Monument Festival Stage to see drag show cabarets and performances that showcase local artists like the Oasis Dance Company and R&B singer Shenna. At the Dupont Dance tent on 6th and Pennsylvania Avenues, you can spend the day jamming to disc jockey sets by artists like D.C.-based DJ Keenan Orr and U.K.-based DJ Jacq Jill. Pride events are free, but $5 to $20 donations are suggested.
And keep the post-Pride excitement going after-hours. For $20, you can hit up Town Danceboutique’s Pride party at 11 p.m. (and for $40 check out the drag show that will feature “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Violet Chachki). Your favorite concert halls will also be hosting parties — for $15, you can see DJs Matt Bailer and Shea Van Horn at 9:30 Club or headliner DJ Kim Ann Foxman at U Street Music Hall at 10 p.m. for $10. At the retro-themed Underground Throwdown party at Dance Loft on 14th Street, your $30 ticket proceeds will go towards funding Capital Pride.
If you’re still not tired, you can dance until daylight for $35-$40 at the Cherry Fund and Capital Pride Afterhours charity event at Tropicalia. Doors open at 3:30 a.m. to see DJs X Gonzales and Sean Morris spin techno music until 9:30 a.m.