PrideFest 2022: Everything You Need To Know

After two years of virtual Pride, Denver’s PrideFest is finally ready to return in person. The two-day festival, hosted by The Center on Colfax, will kick off on June 25 with the Pride 5K, followed by two days of performances and festivities at Civic Center Park. 

This year’s festival includes more than 250 exhibitors, 30 food and beverage vendors, and,  new for 2022, a sober 18-plus area. The annual parade begins at 9:30 a.m. with an estimated average of 100,000 onlookers lining 14 blocks from Cheesman Park to Civic Center. 

Keep it Classy: Denver PrideFest Rules to Follow

• All bags, containers and packages are subject to search.

• No coolers allowed.

• No outside alcohol allowed.

• Only factory-sealed, non-alcoholic beverages allowed in the park. No open beverage containers allowed. No glass containers. This includes water bottles. There are free water fountains inside the park at Colfax and  Bannock and at 14th and Broadway.

• Guests will not be allowed to carry alcoholic beverages through the exit gates.

• No weapons of any type allowed in the park.

• No cannabis use allowed in the park. Public cannabis use is illegal in Denver.

• No bicycles or unicycles allowed in the park.

• Pets should be left at home for their comfort and safety.

Pride Schedule:

Saturday 6/25

Headliners: Silky Nutmeg Ganache and Yvie Oddly

12:30 p.m. DeMarcio PRIDE Party Show: Lovesick Boyz (dance troupe), Anna Staysha (drag queen), Sawyer Inherpants (drag king), and The House of Flora (dance troupe).

Sunday, June 26

9:30 a.m.: Coors Light Denver Pride Parade

10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: Denver PrideFest

Civic Center Park – W. 14th Ave.

12:30. – 1 p.m.: Pride Rally

West steps of the State Capitol – 200  E. Colfax Ave.

Center Stage Performances: 

We reached out to The Center on Colfax, for exclusive details on the audition process, acts that made the cut, and the final line up. Scheduled performances are subject to change. 

Out of the 67 applications received by The Center, the top 16 were selected from in-person/virtual auditions held at Lucid in late April. Performers were selected by a panel of five judges including the two center stage DJs, two local business owners, and Denver PrideFest Entertainment Coordinator and Emcee DeMarcio Slaughter. 

Here’s an exclusive OFM look at all the scheduled performers for PrideFest 2022. 

Saturday, June 25

9:30 – 11 a.m.: Denver Pride 5K

West steps of the State Capitol – 200 E. Colfax Ave.

12 – 4 p.m.: Dyke March

Begins at The Center on Colfax (12 – 2 p.m., 1301 Colfax Ave), down Colfax Avenue, to the West Steps of the State Capitol (2:30 – 4 p.m.)

11 a.m. – 7 p.m.: Denver PrideFest-Civic Center Park

Sunday 6/26

Headliners: Betty Who, Kylie Sonique Love and Cazwell. 1:30 p.m. PRIDE Gems: Krisa Gonna (drag queen), Chocolatina and Lavinia (drag queens), The Rhinettes (multigender dance troupe), Rose Hoedye (drag queen), Sarah Belum (drag queen), Lala & Kolorz (rap duo), Patricia Del Rosario (drag queen), Alexander Valentino Style (drag king), Calvin Arsenia (R&B and soul artist), Vivienne Vionnet (drag queen), Freda Slaves (drag queen), and King Vaughnz (drag king).

“The PRIDE Gems show is set to be an incredible presentation of the best talent in the city. All of these entertainers have put their heart and soul into their performances and are very ready to show it on Center Stage at Denver Pride,” DeMarcio told OFM. 

Denver Pridefest will also feature two additional stages: The Absolute Dance World Stage and the Latin Stage, brought to you by U.S. Bank.

Come out and join OFM and Denver’s vibrant LGBTQ community later this month for PrideFest 2022.