Please be advised that the following Pride events are not organized by Wilmington Transgender Support Services. Your safety is the most important. The following article has some good tips on staying safe. Pride Safety 101: How to stay safe while celebrating queerness. Special thank you to Austin Birch for helping gather most of these events. Events are organized by dates.
Thursday - June 1, 2023 (FF)
Queer in the Cape Fear
On Saturday, May 13 at 12:30pm, WHQR presents another informative and enlightening event for our Cape Fear Conversations series: Queer in the Cape Fear. We'll hear from local LGBTQ voices and WHQR journalists will lead a Q & A on the state of being queer in the Cape Fear. They'll also be an opportunity for attendees to record their own stories! The panel was moderated by Kelly Kenoyer. Click the picture below for the Youtube link.
Speakers:
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Erin Jones, Co-owner, The Roasted Bookery
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Brooke Lambert, Director, UNCW LGBTQ center
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Caroline Morin, Director, LGBTQ Center of the Lower Cape Fear Coast
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TR Nunley, Program Director, Wilmington Transgender Community
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Qailinn Bowen, Co-host, As Told By Us podcast
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Takeshia McIntyre, Author, Business Owner, and Photographer
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Ebony Valentino, Drag Performer
Thursday- June 1, 2023 thru Sunday - June 25, 2023
BOTTEGA PRIDE MONTH
Various dates and times
Bottega Art Bar and Gallery
723 N. 4th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Friday - June 2, 2023 (21+)
Wine Knot Pride Night
5:00pm
Wine Knot Sky Bar and Lounge
201 N. Front Street Suite 909
Wilmington, NC 28401
Friday - June 2, 2023 (18+)
DRAG ME TO IBIZA
Showtime: 10:30 & 11:45AM
Ibiza Nightclub
118 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday - June 3, 2023(FF)
PRIDE KICKOFF at
Castle Street Kitchen
3:00pm to 7:00pm
Castle Street Kitchen
509 Castle Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday - June 3, 2023 (18+)
PRIDE SILENT DISCO
7:00pm to11:00pm
Hi-Wire Brewing
1020 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Let's dance, y'all! If you have never experienced Silent Disco before, it's a ton of fun. Once you get in the zone and realize that 1) Nobody can hear you singing off key at the top of your lungs and 2) It doesn't matter anyway because everyone else is singing off key at the top of their lungs as well, all your cares fade away. It's the perfect thing to welcome the best month of the year.
Here's how it works: Three separate DJs play all sorts of music through headphones with a switcher that you control. If you're not feeling what's on one channel, you have two different ones to choose from. It's a choose-you-own-music adventure. Click the picture below for more information.
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At Hi-Wire Brewing
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Music starts at 7:00 pm
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Limited space and headphones available.
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This event is open to ages 18+
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Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 day of
Sunday - June 4, 2023 (FF)
HI-WIRE PRIDE FEST
WITH VARNISH AFTER PARTY
Noon - 10:00pm
Hi-Wire Brewing
1020 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Get ready for our biggest Pride celebration EVER benefitting the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast!
All day on Sunday, June 4, we're celebrating LOVE with one of our most favorite annual events! And this year we've teamed up with Varnish to make everyone's favorite day even bigger and better than ever. We'll start the day by opening early at 11am. The X Collective is organizing an absolutely AMAZING market featuring tons of local 2SLGBTQ+ and ally vendors from 11am-4pm. At 3pm check out the Hi-Wire Pride Community Stage, an open showcase to feature the Port City's up and coming drag entertainers hosted by Brenda the Drag Queen. There's only room for 10 entertainers, first come first served. If you're interested, email a photo and music track under 4 minutes to brendathedragqueen@gmail.com
Then from 6-8pm get ready for an epic and totally FREE Drag Show hosted by Brenda the Drag Queen and featuring amazing performances by:
Brenda The Drag Queen - Hostess/MC
Ebony Valentino
Tatianna Matthews
Tara Nicole Brooks
Jean Belle Bleu
Prwincezz Malaysia Kay
Vermillion Heaux
FINALLY, head to the Pride After Party at Varnish! Varnish will be providing FREE shuttle service to their downtown location starting at 8pm! So plan ahead and carpool or use a ride share service because parking near our taproom will be limited (and you get a free ride downtown!). We have a very LIMITED number of VIP table reservations for our Pride Fest on Sunday, June 4th! Get yours at the link! Inside 10-top table reservation - $150 (these tables are in the main bar area inside. Drag show and DJs will be outside for this event) Outside 4-top Barrel reservation - $100 (these will be in the parking lot where vendors, the stage and Djs will be!)
Monday- June 5, 2023 (FF)
PRIDE PROCLAMATION BY
THE NEW HANOVER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
4:00pm to 5:00pm
The Old Historical NHC Courthouse
24 North 3rd Street
Room 301, 3rd Floor
Wilmington, NC 28401
Join us to celebrate! The New Hanover County Board of Commissioners are going to consider a resolution to adopt a Pride Month Proclamation. Wear your finest pride gear!
Tuesday - June 6, 2023 (FF)
HI-WIRE PRIDE BINGO
7:00pm
Hi-Wire Brewing
1020 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Thursday - June 8, 2023 (FF)
Queer & Sober Night at Mocksie
5:00pm - 7:00pm
Mocksie
713 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Open to anyone sober or sober curious + wanting to celebrate Pride Month without alcohol. All ages are welcome!
We’ll have a wide variety of NON-alcoholic wine, beer, spirits, teas, seltzers, mocktails, and more!
Our shop is upstairs, but this event will include a tent and drinks in the yard.
No tickets needed - bring friends or come alone and make new ones!
Thursday - June 8, 2023 (18+)
DRAG KARAOKE & DANCE PARTY
HOSTED BY TATIANNA MATTHEWS
Showtime: 9:30pm
Coglin's
206 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Friday June 9, 2023 (18+)
The Carolina Beach
AGAYZING RACE and Pride Kickoff Party
6:00PM-10:00PM
Mike Chappell Park
501 Dow Road South Carolina Beach, NC 28428
After Party at Island Beverage
First up for Pleasure Island Pride 2023, it's The Agayzing Race and Pride kickoff party at Island Beverage!
Join us June 9th for a scavenger hunt/obstacle course presented by Planet Fitness! Teams will race to complete challenges across Mike Chappell Park. Prizes (and bragging rights) will be awarded for Best Costumes and Fastest Team. The team with the most points wins the prize and title of Grand Champion! Grab your friends and kick off the weekend with a scavenger hunt/obstacle course in Carolina Beach. The Agayzing Race is presented by Planet Fitness and is the first event of Pleasure Island Pride 2023. Teams will race to complete a variety of challenges across Mike Chappell Park. Prizes (and bragging rights) will be awarded for Best Costumes and Fastest Team. The team that scores the most points will win the prize and title of Grand Champion! Tickets: Each ticket includes admission to the race and a drink ticket for the after-party @Island Beverage
Race Rules:
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Teams can have up to 5 players
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Players must be 18 or older to participate
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Check-in opens at 5:15pm, race begins at 6pm
Friday June 9, 2023 (18+)
DRAG ME TO IBIZA
Showtime: 10:30 & 11:45AM
Ibiza Nightclub 118 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday June 10, 2023 (18+)
THE SANDY BALLS BOCCE TOURNAMENT
with Stonewall Sports
11:00AM TO 3:00PM
Carolina Beach Pier
1800 Carolina Beach Ave N.
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Saturday June 10, 2023 (21+)
SAUCE'D DRAG BRUNCH
1:00pm to 3:00pm
Sauce'd
920 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Click for Tickets
Saturday June 10, 2023 (FF)
HERE AND QUEER FESTIVAL
3:00PM TO 7:00PM
Bottle Works
920 Princess Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday June 10, 2023 (21+)
ROCKIN' WITH PRIDE AT BOTTEGA
FEATURING THE FORD PROJECT
5:00pm to 8:00pm
Bottega Wine and Art Gallery
723 N. 4th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday June 10, 2023 (21+)
RETRO PRIDE PARTY
6:00PM TO 11:00
Salt Fish Restaurant and Tiki Bar
718 N. Lake Park Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Sunday June 11, 2023 (FF)
FAMILY PRIDE FESTIVAL
Hosted by the LGBTQIA Center of the Cape Fear Coast
11:00am to 4:00pm
New Hanover County Arboretum
Park at Bradley Creek Elementary, 6211 Greenville Loop Road
**FREE Shuttle**
Sunday June 11, 2023 (18+)
DRAG ME TO THE BEACH
CHARITY DRAG BRUNCH AT SEAWITCH
11:00am to 3:00pm
SeaWitch Tiki Bar
227 Carolina Beach Avenue
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Your Sunday Funday is about to get wild thanks to our "Drag Me to the Beach" event at the SeaWitch Tiki Bar in Carolina Beach, NC! Hosted by the hilarious Brenda the Drag Queen and featuring performances by an incredible cast of NC drag performers, this charity drag brunch is a can't miss event!
Drag Me to the Beach @ SeaWitch Cafe is part of Pleasure Island Pride, hosted by the Carolina Beach Bar Club with 100% of proceeds benefitting the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast!
Choose from one of these ticket tiers:
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$75 General Admission: includes brunch, two drinks (beer, wine, or well), and (1) raffle ticket.
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$100 VIP: includes brunch, three drinks (beer, wine, well, or call), VIP seating, and (3) raffle tickets.
Doors open @11, show starts at 12. Attendees must be 18 or older.
Please bring additional Ca$h for gratuities and tipping these amazing performers!
Sunday - June 11, 2023 (18+)
DOCK STREET PRIDE PARTY
2:00pm to 8:00pm
on the Corner of Dock and Front Street
Participating Bars:
The Husk
Duck and Dive
New Anthem
Here at the Dock Street Pride Party, we have been adding something different and better for our growing and popular Downtown Wilmington's LARGEST Pride Month event! Not only are we having an LGBTQIA+ & Ally vendor market on the street, The Husk is hosting it's own VIP BAR area for a special price for 50 lucky individuals! This tickets is only $100/person and includes their drinks on their private access 3rd floor. All tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE. (Each ticket is for only 1 person, no guests) NOTE: This DOES NOT include a tip to the bartender, so please plan accordingly to bring cash to show your appreciation to your bartender or they can tip on a credit card. Your name will be with one of our VIP security members at the designated entrance and you will be issued a specific wristband when you come to check in, so don't forget to bring your State ID/Drivers License/Passport with you. 21+ ONLY You will have access to ALL YOU CAN DRINK wells, select domestics, select wines, and sodas. All drinks must stay on The Husk property, no alcohol is permitted in the street. ~The Husk also will be having its own fun and festive cocktails to celebrate the coming together and being the proud community we are, so taste the rainbow of drinks~ All alcoholic beverages cannot go into the street and MUST stay on The Husk property.
DRINK RESPONSIBLY AND HAVE FUN!!! HAPPY PRIDE Y'ALL!!!!
Monday - June 12, 2023(18+)
INDUSTRY NIGHT
DRAG SHOW AT SEAWITCH
7:00pm to 11:00pm
SeaWitch Tiki Bar
227 Carolina Beach Avenue
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
It's Industry Night at SeaWitch and we're hosting an unforgettable drag show to celebrate! Come out to see some of the fiercest drag queens in NC including Tara Nicole Brooks, Brenda the Drag Queen, Tatianna Matthews, Jean-Belle Bleu, and Coal the Appalachian Queen w/ DJ Quinn.
Each ($20) ticket includes admission to the show and 1 drink (beer, wine, or well). Industry Night @ SeaWitch is part of Pleasure Island Pride, hosted by the Carolina Beach Bar Club with 100% of proceeds benefitting the LGBTQ Center of the Cape Fear Coast!
The show is open to everyone 18 and older. Doors @ 7pm, show @ 8pm. Purchase your tickets in advance before they sell out!
Wednesday - June 14, 2023 (FF)
PRIDE BEACH BLOCK PARTY
4:00pm to 8:00pm
Shagri-La and The Last Resort
600 and 604 N. Lake Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
A pride block party to benefit Wilmington Transgender Support Service!
It will be at Shagri-La & The Last Resort
Join us for in celebrating Pride with a Local Art Market, Raffle & Prizes, Face Painting, Food, Live Music and Fun!!!
Shagri-La will be competing in Battle of the Bartenders that week with a delicious Signature Craft Cocktail!
Friday- June 16, 2023
TBA
Friday- June 16, 2023 (18+)
DRAG ME TO IBIZIA
Showtime: 10:30pm and 11:45pm
Ibiza Nightclub
118 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday- June 17, 2023 (FF)
WALK WITH PRIDE
10:00AM to 11:00am
Meet at the Greenfield Lake Boathouse
1739 Burnett Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday- June 17, 2023 (21+)
3RD ANNUAL NAUTI PRIDE
11:00AM to 9:00pm
Nauti Dog Carolina Beach
5 Cape Fear Blvd
Carolina Beach, NC 28428
Saturday- June 17, 2023 (18+)
DRAG THE RIVER - DRAG BRUNCH & EVENTS
12:00pm TO 5:00pm
The Warehouse
15 S. Water Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday- June 17, 2023 (18+)
PRIDE SWIMSUIT AND STRIP TEASE CONTEST
HOSTED BY EBONY VALENTINO
9:00pm to 2:00am
Ibiza Nightclub
118 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Sunday - June 18, 2023 (18+)
DRAG ME TO FELIX CAFE DRAG BRUNCH
showtime: Noon and 3:00pm
Felix Cafe
5226 College Road Suite 11
Wilmington, NC 28412
Sunday - June 18, 2023 (18+)
PALATE DRAG BRUNCH
showtime: Noon
Palate
1007 N. 4th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Sunday - June 18, 2023 (21+)
DADDY AF PRIDE PARTY
11:00am to 4:00pm
The Rooftop Bar
21 N. Front Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Come and celebrate Pride with us at our DADDY AF PRIDE PARTY on JUNE 18TH located at The Rooftop Bar as we bring you the best darty vibes!
Hosted by everyone’s favorite daddy, Penka, performances by Prwincezz Malaysia Kay, Ebony Valentino and Karma and DJ Elementary on the decks, this rooftop Pride event is one you won’t want to miss. This event is 21 and up and goes from 4 till 9:30! This is also an accessible event! Ticket link below, they will go fast.
Friday- June 23, 2023 (18+)
DRAG ME TO IBIZIA
Showtime: 10:30pm and 11:45pm
Ibiza Nightclub
118 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Saturday - June 24, 2023 (21+)
UNDER THE SEA PRIDE PROM
AT THE EAGLE DARE
6:00pm to 9:00pm
The Eagle Dare
420 N. 3rd Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Sunday- June 25, 2023 (FF)
MOSAIC PRIDE FAMILY PICNIC
Noon to 3:00pm
Empie Park
3405 Park Avenue
Wilmington, NC 28403
Join us the last Sunday in June for our annual family pride picnic. Bring your kids, food to share, and be ready to have a fun afternoon. Everyone is invited to celebrate the wonderful diverse families in our community. All faiths and backgrounds welcome.You don't have to be part of a family to come, because you are all part of our family!
Sunday - June 25, 2023 (18+)
COGLIN'S BORN THIS WAY PRIDE CELEBRATION
1:00pm to 10:00pm
Coglin's
206 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
Coglin's is all about love and equality for everyone, so we're thrilled to announce our second annual Pride celebration. And we plan on going real big!!
We will have 2 drag shows lined up. performers posted once arranged. We will have a food truck parked right outside our front door, amongst a few other super fun vendors such as fairy hair, live art, face painting and body marbling.
And y'all already know we will have the best music playing all day long, courtesy of DJ Brewtal. So get decked out in your glitter and rainbows and come celebrate pride with us!!
Proceeds go to support a local LGBTQ+ organization
FOOD: TBD
DRAG SHOWS:
4pm & 6pm - Performers TBD
COMEDY: Fresh comedy from local favorite Ellie Degenerate
LIVE MUSIC from MB Love
BODY ART - We will have Face painting, fairy hair and more
PHOTOGRAPHY - Smile for the camera! a photographer will be on hand to help you capture those memories!
LIVE PAINTING - Watch incredible local artists bring magic to life on the canvas
Sunday - June 25, 2023 (18+)
CAM LOVE DANCE
2:00pm TO 5:00pm
Cameron Art Museum
3201 South 17th Street
Wilmington, NC 28412
Please join us for Love Dance on Sunday, June 25th!
Tickets are $10 for CAM Members and $15 for Not-Yet-Members.
Students with ID are $5
CAM Members: SIGN IN to your account at top right to have member discount applied at checkout. Haven't created an online account? Click REGISTER at top right.
Non Members: Join CAM now for member benefits including a discount on this program.
Please check in with Visitor Services when you arrive for the program. Thank you for your support of CAM!
We're going to dance
We're going to dance
We're going to dance and have some fun
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Deee-Lite
Join us for a Sunday afternoon tea dance in the CAM Courtyard as we celebrate the opening of Love, Gay Pride and all the wonderful things summer brings!
DJ Set by Louis
Tuesday - June 27, 2023 (18+)
RAINBOW ROLL PRIDE SKATE PARTY
7:00pm to 10:00pm
Scooter's & Owl's Present
341 Shipyard Blvd
Wilmington, NC 28412
Friday- June 30, 2023 (18+)
DRAG ME TO IBIZIA
Showtime: 10:30pm and 11:45pm
Ibiza Nightclub
118 Market Street
Wilmington, NC 28401