Find LGBTQ+ Pride events in Illinois and Iowa happening in May 2025, and explore future weeks at the bottom of this page. May Pride events include Springfield PrideFest by the Phoenix Center; Pride Kick-off by Out Mt. Vernon; and events from CR Pride, The Project of the Quad Cities, FilmScene, DBQ Pride, and Winnebago Two-Spirit. Click on each entry for a brief description, links, location, address, and map.
May
May 29 (2 events)
6:30 pm • "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything: Film For a Cause • Davenport
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May 29
Help raise money for two Quad Cities nonprofits at this event sponsored by Iowa State Rep. Ken Croken (D-Davenport). "To Wong Foo" is the legendary "camp with meaning" film featuring the late Patrick Swayze and three other actors traveling cross-country as drag artists. Tickets are $30 apiece; order yours here. Proceeds are divided between The Project of the Quad Cities' gender-affirming care for youth program, and Clock Inc.'s transgender and gender-expansive youth services.7:00 pm • "Paris Is Burning" • Des Moines–
May 29
A coalition of Iowa LGBTQ+ nonprofits presents this showing of this documentary about "the vibrant ballroom scene of 1980s New York City and the creativity, resilience, and fierce self-expression of Black and Latine LGBTQ+ folks." Drag attire encouraged. Presented by Capital City Pride, One Iowa, Iowa LGBTQ Chamber of Commerce, Progress Iowa, and the Des Moines LGBTQ Advisory Council. Tickets are $13; get yours here.
May 30 (2 events)
6:15 pm • Congregational Pride Shabbat • Chicago–
May 30
Or Chadash, leads this Shabbat, which is open to everyone and celebrates the LGBTQ+ community. Oneg to follow with cakes.You can also participate through YouTube or by seeking a Zoom link by emailing stacy@sholomchicago.org.
Temple Sholom9:00 pm • Odd Opulence • Davenport–
May 30
Help support The Project of the Quad Cities at this special "early Pride" event featuring featuring Moira Mayhemm and August Vandeleau.
May 31 (4 events)
10:00 am • Pride Kick-off • Mount Vernon–
May 31
Enjoy vendors, food, and entertainment.12:00 pm • Jacksonville Pride • Jacksonville–
May 31
Jacksonville Pride presents this annual free, family-friendly festival featuring a story hour, games, vendor fair and live DJ.
5:00 pm • 'Twas the Night Before Pride • Cedar Rapids–
May 31
This special night of music, dancing, food and awards is hosted by CR Pride will raise money for Lavender Legal Center.
7:30 pm • Flamy Grant at First Presbyterian • Davenport–
May 31
Flamy Grant, the drag Christian performer committed to healing religious trauma, brings her voice, guitar and humor to Davenport for this kick-off to Pride month.
To submit your Pride event to this calendar, head to Submit Events. Or email the details to reachus@main-stream.org.
