Celebrate pride month by attending the city’s biggest pride fest of the year! Des Moines will be hosting the 44th Capital City PrideFest from June 9th – 11th at East Village.
About PrideFest
Since 1979, Capital City Pride’s PrideFest has welcomed members of the LGBTQ community, friends, family, and allies to join together in unity. This festival celebrates the year round work of promoting diversity and inclusion in the Des Moines community. Events
Events
June 9th 8 am – 10 am – Pride 5k Stride! $40 race fee + 3.40 sign up fee. Registration deadline is May 26th. You can donate here.
June 9th 12pm – 5pm – Poolside Party! Check out the website for detail updates
June 11th at 12 pm – Pride Parade! Come show off your pride at this annual event. If you’ve really got spirit, you can also compete in the float parade contest! The top 3 best floats will earn prizes and the winner gets TWO VIP tickets to 80/35 music festival and four tickets to the Blank Park Zoo’s Rainbow Safari!
Entertainers- TRIXIE MATTEL, SHEILA E. and SHANGELA will be performing! Trixie Mattel and Shangela are former contestants on Rupaul’s Drag Race. Sheila E. is an award winning percussionist, who has collaborated with many artists such as Prince, Pharrell Williams, and Snoop Dogg.
Support LGBTQ
Donate. Capital City Pride is a non-profit organization that contributes back to the LGBTQ community.
Volunteer. Capital City Pride offers a variety of volunteer opportunities to support the community.
Pride Flag Project. Help display LGBTQ flags on street poles around Downtown Des Moines during Pride Month.
Speaker Series
Each month, members of the LGBTQ community speak and educate about their experience of being part of the LGBTQ community, and how it has shaped their lives. This series is supposed to be a safe space for those that need comfort and support in their lives.
Pride Book Club
LBTQ+ literature and stories are shared in a safe and inclusive space. These stories are meant to educate others about the history and achievements of the LGBTQ community. A book will be nominated each month to be read.
Drag Events
May 13th – May 14th CCP Board Drag Benefit– See the board members get glammed up in Drag! It will be a fun and glamorous event that donates all proceeds to Capital City Pride. So go grab some dollar bills!
June 3rd Pride Mrs. Mr. Mx. Pageant- Hosted at The Garden, this Drag show will have three categories: Pride Wear, Formal Wear, and a talent and question section.
June 4th Drag Brunch at Tonic.
