Events
LGBTQ+ Community & Pride Events in Tempe
January 30, 2025
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 16, 2025: Miss, Mister & Mx Phoenix Pride Pageant | 4 – 8 p.m. | Tempe Center For the Arts
June 7, 2025: Downtown Tempe’s Pride Party | 7 – 11 p.m. | Centerpoint Plaza
June 7, 2025: Pride Afterparty | 10 p.m. – 2 a.m. | Details TBA
June 2025: Phoenix Pride Awards Reception | Tempe Center for the Arts | Details TBA
June 2025: Miss Gay Arizona America | Tempe Center for the Arts | Details TBA
Monthly: Drag Bingo with Felicia Minor | 5 – 7:30 p.m. | Drink Me! Tea Room
Pride Month Events in Tempe
Two-Year Anniversary of Downtown Tempe’s Rainbow Crosswalk | June 2, 2025
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.
Downtown Tempe’s Pride Party | June 7, 2025
The LGBTQ+ community, families and allies are invited to join Downtown Tempe from 7 to 11 p.m. June 7 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.
Official Tempe Pride Afterparty | June 7, 2025
Keep the party going at the official Pride Afterparty, which takes place from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at a nearby venue. Stay tuned for additional details.
Poolside Pride at Skysill Rooftop Lounge | Details TBA
Head to the highest rooftop in the Valley of the Sun on select dates in June for the hottest LGBTQ+ pool party, including live DJs and fabulous cocktails.
Phoenix Pride Awards Reception | June 2025 | Details TBA
Phoenix Pride invites you to enjoy an evening celebrating and honoring the Phoenix Pride community at this annual awards event from at Tempe
Pride Night at the Phoenix Rising | June 2025 | Details TBA
The 2023 USL champions Phoenix Rising will host the franchise’s annual Pride Night game in June. 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.
Pride On Tap | June 2025
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 2025 | Details TBA
Miss Gay Arizona America 2025 will welcome more than a dozen 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 Princess Prozac, Miss Gay Arizona America 2024, and feature appearances by former pageant royalty. The winner and first alternate will go on to represent Arizona at the Miss Gay America Pageant.
LGBTQ+ Events Beyond Pride Month in Tempe
Pride Night with the Valley Suns | Feb. 13, 2025
As part of the Valley Suns inaugural season, the newest NBA G League franchise invites its community of fans to the first-ever Pride Night — a theme night designated for amplifying the importance of allyship for and celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community. The Suns tipoff against the Grande Valley Vipers at 7 p.m. at Mullett Arena; tickets are available here.
Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride Pageant | March 16, 2025
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.
Pride Night at ASU Gammage | March 27, 2025
For 2025, Broadway sensation “Wicked” bursts onto the stage with Pride. Join ASU Gammage on March 27 for a special Pride Night performance of the untold true story of the Witches of Oz. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another young woman, born with emerald-green skin — smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent — who meets a bubbly blonde with exceptionally popularity.
From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, “Wicked” transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.; be sure to use code PRIDE for a special discount when checking out (while supplies last).
Pride Week at ASU | April 2025
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.
Dancing for one•n•ten at Tempe Center for the Arts | August 2025
This annual ballroom dance competition showcasing local community leaders paired with professional dance instructors to fundraise for the LGBTQ+ nonprofit organization. Each contestant — including Tempe’s own Mayor Corey Woods in 2024— will bring their show-stopping dance routine in hopes of taking home the 2025 trophy.
Annual LGBTQ+ Events Throughout Greater Phoenix
Annual Arizona Gay Rodeo | Feb. 14 – 16, 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.
Rainbows Festival | April 5 & 6, 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.
Latino Pride Festival | September 2025 | Details TBA
Historic Heritage Square | 113 N. 6th St., Phoenix, AZ 85004
Phoenix invites you to the fourth annual Latino Pride Festival, the largest gathering of LGBTQ+ Latinos in Arizona. Presented by Latino Pride Alliance, this festival will include live performances by local and national entertainers; mariachis and ballet folklórico; authentic Mexican food, beverages and merchandise; a kid zone with inflatables, games and crafts; local and national vendors; and more. Follow @latinopridealliance on Instagram for additional details on this year’s festivities.
Phoenix Pride Festival | Oct. 18 & 19 2025
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.
Phoenix Pride Parade | Oct. 19, 2025
Along 3rd Street, from Thomas to Indian School roads
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. Step-off time is 10 a.m., and the parade concludes at Steele Indian School Park, the home of the Phoenix Pride Festival.
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.
