Nightlife
LGBTQ+ Community & Pride Events in Tempe
Tempe is a welcoming, inclusive destination that’s home to a variety of LGBTQ+ events.
Tempe is known for its welcoming spirit, its blend of cosmopolitan culture and style, its scenic Sonoran Desert beauty and more than 330 days of sunshine every year. Since 2014, the City of Tempe has been honored by the Human Rights Campaign with a perfect score of 100 on the Municipal Equity Index, which measures inclusive policies for the LGBTQ+ community. Through the City’s Diversity Office and the Tempe Tourism Office, Tempe continues to lead with progressive ideas and programs that are shaping the future for all.
Another great thing about Tempe is its location in the heart of the Greater Phoenix area. Just minutes from the airport, Tempe is also connected to LGBTQ+ events and nightlife in downtown Phoenix and the airport via Valley Metro Rail. Here is a preview of LGBTQ+ events and celebrations that take place year-round both right here in Tempe and just beyond:
LGBTQ+ Events and Pride celebrations in Tempe:
Drag Shows | Ongoing
Tempe has evolved into a drag show and brunch powerhouse, thanks to gracious hosts including Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown, The Westin Tempe, Drink Me! Tearoom and various other businesses that double as platforms for expanding the art of drag throughout the Tempe. While these shows are not recurring on a weekly basis, you are invited to plan ahead with the following resources (and we’ll keep them updated for you as we learn more).
March 10: Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride Pageant | 4 – 8 p.m. | Tempe Center For the Arts
April 27: Brunch with the Dolls | 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Social Hall
June 1: Downtown Tempe’s Pride Party | 7 – 11 p.m. | Centerpoint Plaza
June 1: Pride Afterparty feat. Mya McKenzie | 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. | Skysill Rooftop Lounge
June 16: Phoenix Pride Awards Reception and Mx. Pride Pageant | 4 – 9 p.m. | Tempe Center for the Arts
June 19: Drag Bingo with Felicia Minor | 5 – 7:30 p.m. | Drink Me! Tea Room
June 22: Drag and Draw | 6 – 9 p.m. | Tempe Center for the Arts
June 30: Miss Gay Arizona America | 5 – 9 p.m. | Tempe Center for the Arts
Pride Month Events in Tempe
Downtown Tempe’s Pride Party | June 1, 2024
The LGBTQ+ community, families and allies are invited to join Downtown Tempe from 7 to 11 p.m. June 1 at Centerpoint Plaza (6th Street & Mill Avenue), for a night of celebration and love. Pride Partygoers are invited to participate in a silent disco, take in DJs and drag performances, check out food, beer and wine vendors, and enjoy a few other surprises as well.
Following the Pride Party, attendees are invited to Skysill Rooftop Lounge at The Westin Tempe, for the official afterparty from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., also hosted by Mya McKenzie and featuring Diva. Tickets are available here.
Official Tempe Pride Afterparty | June 1, 2024
Keep the party going at Skysill Rooftop Lounge. The official Pride Afterparty — hosted by the Phoenix Drag Queen Mya McKenzie, a live DJ, Pride-themed cocktails, a glitter bar, photo booth and more — will take place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. The Westin Tempe will donate 10% of the cocktail proceeds to one n ten, in support of LGBTQ+ youth.
Poolside Pride at Skysill Rooftop Lounge | June 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30
Head to the highest rooftop in the Valley of the Sun every Sunday in June for the hottest LGBTQ+ pool party, including live DJs and fabulous cocktails from noon to 4 p.m.
One-Year Anniversary of Downtown Tempe’s Rainbow Crosswalk | June 2, 2024
Tempe’s streetscape got a colorful and inclusive in 2023, ahead of the city’s first-ever Pride Party. This rainbow carpet, well, crosswalk is located at the corner of Mill Avenue and 7th Street — welcoming pedestrians, cyclists, motorists and Pride Party attendees with all the colors of the Progress Pride Flag.
Desert Overture: Around the World in 90 Minutes | June 16, 2024
Get ready for a thrilling musical adventure with Desert Overture, Phoenix’s LGBT+ and Ally Wind Symphony. Prepare to be swept away on a 90-minute global musical escapade that is sure to captivate everyone. Seize the opportunity: This afternoon at Tempe Center for the Arts will be filled with joy, unity, and fantastic music.
Desert Overture performs three to for formal concerts at Tempe Center for the Arts annually; stay up to date with the performance schedule at desertoverture.org/performances.
Phoenix Pride Awards Reception and Mx. Pride Pageant | June 16, 2024
Phoenix Pride invites you to enjoy an evening celebrating and honoring the Phoenix Pride community at this annual awards event from 4 to 6 p.m. at Tempe Center for the Arts (Lakeside Room). The evening kicks off with the presentation of Phoenix Pride’s community spirit awards, scholarship recipients, community grants and parades contingent recognition.
The 2024 Mx. (pronounced mix) Pride Pageant will take place immediately following the awards presentation (Studio Theatre). Honoring Mx. Pride 2023 Sassy D. DeMornay, this pageant will showcase contestants competing in the categories of fundraising, parade of contestants (only non-judged category), red carpet fashion, on-stage question and answer and talent from 6 to 9 p.m.
Drag & Draw at Tempe Center for the Arts | June 22, 2024
Unleash your inner artist and capture the glamour and charisma of spectacular queens Eva Angelica Stratton and Savannah Stevens as they model fabulous costumes throughout the evening. DJ Frietz will be spinning the hottest tracks and visual artists Rachel Bess and Matt Dickson will be on hand to lead the open-studio style drawing sessions. Also included: Drawing demos by world-class artists, drag-themed drawing games and cash bar. This event is for ages 18 and up.
Pride Night at the Phoenix Rising | June 22, 2024
The USL champions Phoenix Rising will take on the Charleston Battery for the franchise’s annual Pride Night game. This celebration of inclusivity for all in Arizona will feature partnerships with local LGBTQ+ organizations, rainbow nets and corner flags, limited edition Pride-themed merchandise collection and a Rising Pride bucket hat giveaway.
Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus presents Encore! Our Greatest Hits | June 22, 2024
The Phoenix Gay Men’s Chorus present “Encore! Our Greatest Hits,” a concert that showcases their most beloved performances celebrates the culmination of artistic director Marc Gaston’s impactful 22-year tenure. This musical journey features such heart-touching pieces as “A Million Dreams,” “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” and “High Hopes,” alongside contemporary hits, including “Bad Guy” and “Blinding Lights.” This eclectic mix will take you on an emotional ride, celebrating the power of music in all its forms.
Pride On Tap | June 2024
Each year, Four Peaks Brewing Co. taps it’s Rainbow-infused Hazy IPA — “We’re Here, We’re Beer, Get Used To It” — at its original Tempe location (1340 E. 8th St., #104, Tempe, AZ 85281). Brewed with kiwi, guava, cherries, strawberries, pineapples and peaches, this limited-edition beer was created for and with Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community. As such, proceeds from the sales of this beer will benefit One Community, the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, one n ten, and Phoenix Pride (while supplies last).
Miss Gay Arizona America | June 30, 2024
Miss Gay Arizona America 2024 will welcome 14 contestants from around the state as they compete in the categories of personal interview, talent, evening gown and on-stage question. This evening of pageantry will celebrate the reign of Franzia McKenzie, Miss Gay Arizona America 2023, and feature an appearance by Miss Gay America 2024 Dessie Love Blake. The winner and first alternate will go on to represent Arizona at the Miss Gay America Pageant.
LGBTQ+ Events Beyond Pride Month in Tempe
Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride Pageant | March 10, 2024
The Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride Pageant is an LGBTQ+ community event during which contestants compete for the titles of Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride. Taking place at Tempe Center for the Arts, this evening of pageantry includes the categories of red carpet attire, on-stage-question and talent. The program culminates with the stepping down of the previous years’ royalty and the crowning of the 2025 Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride.
AIDS Walk Arizona & 5K Run | April 6, 2024
Tempe Beach Park | 80 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe, AZ | 602-904-6001
AIDS Walk Arizona & 5K Run is the largest gathering in Arizona to support people living with HIV and raise community awareness. This family-friendly event features Paws for the Cause-the dog-friendly portion of the walk and Kids for the Cause, where kids of all ages can get involved and be fundraisers!
Pride Week at ASU | April 8 – 12, 2024
Pride Week at ASU advocates for social justice concerns while connecting students, faculty and staff to each other and the broader ASU community through diverse programming and services. Come celebrate the beauty and breadth of LGBTQ+ culture through performances, activities, socials and community building. Additionally, ASU provides a number of resources focused on the success, health and well-being of LGBTQ+ graduate students. To view these resources, visit the LGBTQIA+ Student Resource Page.
Pride Night at ASU Gammage | July 19, 2024
This summer, Hamilton bursts onto the stage with Pride. Join ASU Gammage on July 19 for a special Pride Night performance. This Tony- and Grammy-winning production is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, Hamilton is a revolutionary moment in theatre — a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education.
Showtime is 7:30 p.m.; be sure to use code PRIDE for a special discount when checking out.
Annual LGBTQ+ Events Throughout Greater Phoenix
Phoenix Pride Festival & Parade | Oct. 19 & 20 2024
Steel Indian School Park | 300 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ
The Phoenix Pride Festival attracts over 40,000 attendees, 150 entertainment performances and over 300 exhibitors over a two-day celebration designed to bring our diverse LGBTQ+ and allied communities together for a weekend of camaraderie and celebration of our past, present and future. The Phoenix Pride Festival raises funds for the Phoenix Pride Community Programs and helps to educate the public about the existence and continuing civil rights battle facing the LGBTQ+ community.
The Parade brings 2,000+ individual participants with decorated vehicles, colorful floats and thousands of walkers. The Parade features Grand Marshals, local luminaries, music and fun along the 3rd Street route from Thomas to Indian School. The Parade concludes at Steele Indian School Park, the home of the Phoenix Pride Festival.
Annual Arizona Gay Rodeo | February 2025
Whether you’re a real cowboy or you like to dress like one, you won’t want to miss the Annual Arizona Gay Rodeo. It’s a weekend of fun, food, entertainment and RODEO! You’ll enjoy traditional rodeo events like roping, bucking broncs and chute dogging, along with those you’ll only see at the Arizona Gay Rodeo like a Wild Drag Race and Goat Dressing.
Pride Run Phoenix | March 2025
Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ
Run or walk through central Phoenix in the Pride Half Marathon, 10K and 5K are street courses with minimal elevation changes and turns. Like the 10K and 5K, the Half Marathon is a fast, flat course perfect for a PR (Personal Record or Personal Best), making it an ideal training run for the Boston Marathon. The courses are sports stroller and sports wheelchair friendly. Pets are not welcome on the course. However, well-behaved leashed pets are welcome at the start, finish and expo.
Rainbows Festival | April 2025
Heritage Square Park | 115 N. 6th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phoenix Pride is the proud producer of the “Arizona’s Greatest Street Fair,” the Rainbows Festival. The annual Rainbows Festival & Street Fair is a celebration of the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. Located in historic Heritage Square Park in Downtown Phoenix, Rainbows Festival draws a crowd of over 25,000 friends, families and allies. Rainbows Festival is the second-largest LGBTQ+ event in the state of Arizona, only second to the Phoenix Pride Festival. The annual Rainbows Festival is a free event open to the public.
Cactus Cities Softball League Saguaro Cup | April 11 – 13, 2025
Watch LGBTQ softball teams compete at various locations in the Greater Phoenix area. The Cactus Cities Softball League is an adult slow-pitch softball league in Phoenix, Arizona, predominately for the LGBTQ+ community and anyone dedicated to the promotion of the amateur athletic experience for people of all skill levels and abilities regardless of sexual orientation, gender, race or religion.
Bears of the West’s Phurfest | TBD
Calling all bears to come out of hibernation and attend the Bears of the West’s Annual Phurfest. Enjoy fun in the sun, meet new friends and explore what Phoenix has to offer. Over 200 bears and buddies from more than 12 countries have enjoyed the warmth and friendliness of our city at Phurfest. Visit the website for future dates.
LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses in Tempe:
Brick Road Coffee
4415 S. Rural Road, Suite 10, Tempe, AZ 85282 | 480-590-7246
Open since January 2022, Brick Road Coffee brings a new community space to the Tempe landscape that welcomes all “human beans.” Follow the Yellow Brick Road to delicious pastries, coffee and non-coffee beverages, mural art, a retail space, lending library and even a monthly LGBTQ+ inspired sticker drop. As an LGBTQ+ Safe Space, the coffee shop is also home to a variety of meetup groups and clubs. For a full list of Brick Road Coffee happenings, including forthcoming details on their Pride history series throughout June 2024, visit their event website.
For LGBTQ+ allied businesses and resources, for locals and visitors alike, check out One Community’s Tempe, Arizona, listings here. For additional details on how Tempe continues to blaze diversity, equity and inclusion trails for the LGBTQ+ community and beyond, visit our LGBTQ+ travel page.
