This is a guide to LGBTQ Pride events throughout Iowa. Click on the event name for more information.
If your community has a Pride event that should be listed here, email reachus@therealmainstream.com. Find LGBTQ Pride events in Illinois here.
LGBTQ Pride Events in Iowa
Jun
1
PRIDE MONTH RECOGNITION Cedar Falls IA
Hearst Center for the Arts
5:00 pm
Speakers, resources, games and art.
Jun
1
NOH8 PHOTO SHOOT Davenport IA
Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities
6:00 pm
Historic nationwide photo campaign inspired by early pro-marriage equality movement in California in the late 2000s.
Jun
1
QC UNITY PRIDE MOVIES AT THE FIGGE: “HOLDING THE MAN” Davenport IA
Figge Art Museum
6:30 pm
2015 film about a 15-year love affair that began in prep school and "endured disapproval, parental resistance, separation, and loss." You can watch the trailer here.
Jun
1
CAPITAL CITY PRIDE WALK Des Moines IA
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
6:30 pm
Starts at the Nomade sculpture, proceeds 1.5 miles down Locust Street to the Iowa State Capitol.
Jun
1
DOING GENDER: “WE’RE ALL GOING TO THE WORLD’S FAIR” Iowa City IA
FilmScene
7:00 pm
Part of Doing Gender: Trans Perspectives on Film, with Iowa City Pride and the University of Iowa. "Genre-defying" horror film built around exploring identity.
Jun
2
Jun
2
QUAD CITIES PRIDE FEST Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Iowa and Illinois
5:00 pm
Vendors, live music, drag and more. See main listing on Illinois page
Jun
2
I-CUBS PRIDE NIGHT Des Moines IA
Principal Park
5:30 pm
Fireworks, pre-game tailgating, Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus, and a portion of ticket sales go to Capital City Pride. Tickets here.
Jun
3
SUX PRIDE FESTIVAL Sioux City IA
Sioux City Convention Center
11:00 am
Live performances, food, vendors and new this year, a pop-up from the Sioux City Film Festival, and educational seminars.
Jun
3
QUAD CITIES PRIDE FEST Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Iowa and Illinois
12:00 pm
Vendors, live music, drag and more. See main listing on Illinois page
Jun
3
DUBUQUE PRIDE FAMILY PICNIC & BLOCK PARTY Dubuque IA
Multicultural Family Center
12:00 pm
Dancing, music, kids' games and more.
Jun
3
OTTUMWA PRIDE BLOCK PARTY Ottumwa IA
Central Park-Ottumwa
1:00 pm
Vendors, guest speakers, drag show and more.
Jun
4
PRIDE SERVICE AND POTLUCK Davenport IA
Metropolitan Community Church of the Quad Cities
11:00 am
Join MCC of the Quad Cities for a Pride-themed service, followed by a Pride Potluck.
Jun
4
PRIDE BRUNCH AT THE DINER Davenport IA
The Diner
2:30 pm
Enjoy six local performers and brunch! Reserve seats at caterwiththediner@gmail.com.
Jun
8
FAMILY NIGHT Eldridge IA
Eldridge Community Center and Skate Park
6:00 pm
QC Roller Derby and QC Unity Pride team up for Family Night at the skate park.
Jun
8
DOING GENDER: “DRESSED IN BLUE” Iowa City IA
FilmScene
7:00 pm
Part of Doing Gender: Trans Perspectives on Film, with Iowa City Pride and the University of Iowa. A 1983 documentary about six transgender women living in Madrid, described as "one of the best trans films you’ve likely never heard of."
Jun
9
Jun
10
Jun
10
CAPITAL CITY PRIDE STRIDE AND 5K Des Moines IA
Pride Stride Starting Point
8:00 am
5K to benefit Capital City Pride.
Jun
10
PRIDE MONTH CHEVRON BEADED BRACELET Remote or Iowa City IA
Beadology Iowa
10:00 am
Make your own stunning V-shaped rainbow bracelet.
Jun
10
IOWA TRANS MUTUAL FUND MAKE AND TAKE BRACELETS Remote or Iowa City IA
Beadology Iowa
10:00 am
Create your own elastic bracelets (good activity for all ages) and help raise money for the Iowa Trans Mutual Fund.
Jun
10
CR PRIDE PARADE Cedar Rapids IA
NewBo City Market
1:00 pm
2nd Annual CR Pride parade through NewBo and Czech Village. Parade applications at crprideia.com/parade.
Jun
11
Jun
11
REFLECTIONS OF RESILIENCE Burlington IA
Burlington Memorial Auditorium
1:00 pm
Christopher Hansen, who survived the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando in 2016, gathers Burlington residents for a day of remembrance for those lost to violence. Those honored will include Kedarie Johnson, the Burlington teen viciously murdered in 2016.
Jun
11
QC UNITY PRIDE MOVIES AT THE FIGGE: “4 MOONS” Davenport IA
Figge Art Museum
4:00 pm
2014 award-winning Mexican drama featuring four stories of gay male love. Watch trailer here.
Jun
11
THE QUIRE PRESENTS PROTEST, POWER AND REMEMBRANCE Iowa City IA
The Englert Theatre
4:00 pm
LGBTQIA and allies choir provides concert set featuring excerpts from "Considering Matthew Shepard."
Jun
15
RIVERSIDE PRIDE FESTIVAL Fort Madison IA
Downtown Fort Madison
5:00 pm
Vendor fair, music, food and more along 7th St., between F and G Ave.
Jun
16
PRIDE AT THE POOL Iowa City IA
Iowa City Park Pool
5:00 pm
All-ages event featuring Drag Storytime reading, sidewalk chalk, temporary tattoos, pride flags galore, and games with the Old Capitol City Roller Derby team.
Jun
16
PRIDE PAINT PARTY WITH CLOCK INC. Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Iowa and Illinois
6:30 pm
Paint, laugh, sip and chill with Art With Kare Traveling Paint Parties At Clock Inc., 4102 46th Ave., Rock Island, Ill.
Jun
17
IOWA CITY PRIDE Iowa City IA
Downtown Iowa City
12:00 pm
Parade, march, vendor fair, drag show, live performers and more.
Jun
17
QC UNITY PRIDE PARADE Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Iowa and Illinois
2:30 pm
Starting at Vibrant Arena, 1201 River Dr., Moline, before the Pride Party at Bass Street Landing.
Jun
17
PRIDE PARTY AT BASS STREET LANDING Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Iowa and Illinois
3:30 pm
Third annual Pride Month event showcasing vendors, drag performers, live musicians, and the services of The Project of the Quad Cities. See main listing on Illinois page
Jun
17
PRIDE NIGHT WITH THE DES MOINES MENACE Des Moines IA
Valley Stadium
7:30 pm
The Menace will wear Pride-themed jerseys to honor Iowa Safe Schools!
Jun
18
QC UNITY PRIDE MOVIES AT THE FIGGE: “TOMBOY” Davenport IA
Figge Art Museum
4:00 pm
2011 French film about a gender non-conforming 10-year-old's experience moving to a new neighborhood. Watch trailer here.
Jun
19
CLOCK, INC PRIDE BINGO Davenport IA
Raccoon Motel
6:00 pm
Old-fashioned bingo, to raise money for Clock Inc. $5 a card, adults only, BYO food. Space limited; arrive early.
Jun
23
HUMBOLDT COUNTY PRIDE Humboldt IA
Humboldt County Fairgrounds
6:00 pm
Fourth annual celebration of LGBTQ Pride and awareness.
Jun
24
FORT DODGE PRIDE FESTIVAL Fort Dodge IA
City Square Park
10:00 am
Family friendly event with music, food, entertainment, and a 10 a.m. Pride parade.
Jun
24
Jun
24
PEYOTE PORTRAIT OF MARSHA P. JOHNSON Remote and Iowa City IA
Beadology Iowa
10:00 am
Create a portrait of Pride hero Marsha P. Johnson using peyote beads. Admission includes all materials, in-person instruction and take-home instructions.
Jun
25
PRIDE 5K WALK RUN AND ROLL Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Iowa and Illinois
8:00 am
Cash prizes of $25 to $125 to the top five finishers of the 5K. Find walk and run route here, plus all the info you need to participate. Proceeds benefit The Project of the Quad Cities. See main listing on Illinois page.
Jun
25
QC UNITY PRIDE MOVIES AT THE FIGGE: “JOYLAND” Davenport IA
Figge Art Museum
4:00 pm
2022 Pakistani film about a burlesque back-up dancer who falls in love with a transgender woman. Watch trailer here.
Jun
27
PRIDE POTLUCK Quad Cities
Quad Cities-Iowa and Illinois
6:00 pm
"Good ol' fashion community potluck" for adults only. At Clock Inc. in Rock Island, Il.
Jun
29
PRIDE NIGHT WITH THE QUAD CITIES RIVER BANDITS Davenport IA
Modern Woodmen Park
6:30 pm
Game night with the Quad Cities' semi-pro baseball team, along the waterfront. Free rainbow koozie from The Project of the Quad Cities.
Jun
29
DOING GENDER: “BY HOOK OR BY CROOK” Iowa City IA
FilmScene
7:00 pm
Part of Doing Gender: Trans Perspectives on Film, with Iowa City Pride and the University of Iowa. "Anti-authoritarian tale of friendship, trust and redemption" and "the queerest buddy movie ever." (Moira Sullivan, FilmFestivals.com)
Aug
25
CEDAR VALLEY PRIDEFEST Waterloo IA
Downtown Waterloo
5:00 pm
Vendor fair, live music, drag shows and more.
Aug
26
CEDAR VALLEY PRIDEFEST Waterloo IA
Downtown Waterloo
12:00 pm
Vendor fair, live music, drag shows and more.
