DENVER — One of the biggest Pride festivals in the country is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary in Denver.
Denver PrideFest will be held Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23, in downtown Denver.
Organizers are planning a parade, 5K race and live performances on three Civic Center Park stages.
The event's organizer, The Center on Colfax, a nonprofit organization that provides year-round programs and services for the LGBTQ+ community, said more than 550,000 people attended the celebration last year, making it the largest Pride event in the Rocky Mountain Region.
The Denver Pride Parade will step off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, June 23, traveling 14 blocks from Cheesman Park to near Civic Center Park.
"We have a stellar lineup of entertainers to help us honor this significant 50 year anniversary milestone, and an amazing two days of festivities planned," said The Center’s CEO Rex Fuller. "In spite of recent attempts to marginalize our community, we look forward to joining together with many of the Denver Pride founders and hundreds of thousands of our close personal friends in a celebration of our heritage and culture."
Here's what to know for the 50th anniversary of Denver PrideFest:
Denver PrideFest
The Denver PrideFest festival celebration will be at Civic Center Park in downtown Denver on Saturday, June 22, and Sunday, June 23. The event is free to attend.
The festival kicks off Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. The festival reopens Sunday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
There will be food and drink vendors throughout the event for guests who want to purchase food and drinks.
No outside food, coolers, weapons of any kind, marijuana, bikes, and open beverage container (including water bottles) will be allowed inside the event. Organizers said guests should leave pets at home for their comfort and safety.
Over 550,000 people are estimated to have attended the festival in 2023.
Denver PrideFest entertainment lineup
At the Denver PrideFest, there will be a diverse lineup of entertainment throughout the two-day event.
Center Stage performers include:
Complete entertainment festival information is available at DenverPride.org.
Denver Pride 5K
The Denver Pride 5K is open to runners, walkers and rollers. The event is Saturday, June 22, at 9:30 a.m. at the Colorado State Capitol Building.
Online registration is available. Proceeds from the race support The Center on Colfax's programs and services for Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community.
Denver Pride Parade
More than 100,000 people are expected to line up along Colfax Avenue on Sunday, June 23, for the Coors Light Denver Pride Parade. The parade kicks off at 9:30 a.m. Sunday at Cheesman Park.
The parade will span 14 blocks of Colfax Avenue from Cheesman Park to Civic Center Park. The parade will feature colorful floats, marchers, music and more.
RTD
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) will add extra train cars to D, E, H and W light rail lines. The festival is not expected to impact rail service, but multiple bus routes will need to detour to accommodate the festivities.
Where to park
Denver PrideFest takes place at Civic Center Park at the intersection of Colfax and Broadway in the heart of downtown Denver.
Both Saturday and Sunday are expected to draw a large crowd into downtown Denver. Festivalgoers who plan on driving to the festival are encouraged to reserve a spot using Laz Parking and SpotHero.
No bicycles or unicycles will be allowed in the park. Festival goers who plan on biking to the festival can park their bikes at the following locations:
- 14th Street between Bannock & Broadway (Denver Art Museum)
- Broadway between 14th & 13th (Denver Public Library)
- 14th Street between Cherokee & Bannock (City & County Building)
- 11th & Broadway
- 12th & Broadway
- 13th & Broadway
- 16th & Broadway
- 12th & Lincoln
- 13th & Lincoln
- 13th & Acoma
- 14th & Cherokee
- 14th & Court
- 15th & Court
- Court & Colfax
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