ARIZONA NEWS

Here’s what you need to know about Phoenix Pride Festival 2024

Oct 19, 2024, 6:30 AM

2024 Phoenix Pride Festival: Parade, tickets, performers...

The Phoenix Pride Festival returns this weekend to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in the Valley. Here is everything you need to know. (Phoenix Pride Festival/Facebook Photo)

(Phoenix Pride Festival/Facebook Photo)

PHOENIX — This year’s Phoenix Pride Festival will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in the Valley.

Although Pride in other cities is typically celebrated in June to honor the Stonewall Uprising, Phoenix celebrates Pride in the fall due to hot summer temperatures.

The 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival will kick off at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Steele Indian School Park, which is near Central Avenue and Indian School Road.

Vibrant colors will then lighten up the streets of downtown Phoenix on Sunday once the parade sashays through the city.

The Phoenix Pride Parade will begin on Third Street between Thomas and Indian School roads at 10 a.m. Sunday.

Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Queen, American Idol star David Hernandez and Gov. Katie Hobbs will serve as the parade’s Community Grand Marshals.

The parade is free and open to all ages. It is expected to garner more than 3,000 participants and more than 10,000 spectators.

Which headliners are performing at the 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival?

The theme of the 43rd annual event is Born This Way, a nod to the popular Lady Gaga song. All headlining acts are members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Here is the performance schedule for the Circle K Main Stage on Saturday:

  • Wendy Guevara at 6 p.m.
  • Slayyyter at 7 p.m.
  • Saucy Santana at 8 p.m.

Here is the performance schedule for the Circle K Main Stage on Sunday:

  • The Scarlet Opera at 6 p.m.
  • Vassy at 7 p.m.
  • David Archuleta at 8 p.m.

Phoenix Pride Executive Director Mike Fornelli said 2024 is a special and unique year for the Phoenix Pride Festival.

“A rare headlining lineup … includes all and only artists who are each openly members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Fornelli said in a press release.

The lineup for the 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival reflects how far the LGBTQ+ community has come, he added.

“We have a vast, and always growing, pool of popular talent who feel safe and comfortable living openly and in the public eye, as their authentic self,” Fornelli said. “This wasn’t the case even two decades ago, and certainly wouldn’t have been possible 43 years ago, when Phoenix Pride had its beginnings.”

What else is at the 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival?

In addition to the headlining acts on the Circle K Stage, the 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival will showcase six additional stages of entertainment across the festival grounds, which span more than 60 acres.

The ¡Club Papi! Fiesta Caliente Latin Stage will present a lineup of high-profile performers.

Drag Race Mexico Season 1 winner Christian Peralta, as well as fellow season contestant Gala Varo, will perform Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m.

Peralta and Varo will also perform on Sunday at 4:45 p.m.

The Latin stage will also present Kitty Soucre on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Miss Vanjie will also perform on the Latin stage Sunday at 6:30 p.m.

In addition, more than 300 exhibitors will showcase a wide variety of booths. Guests can buy foods and arts and crafts.

Event organizers expect more than 55,000 attendees this year.

How much are Phoenix Pride Festival 2024 tickets?

Admission to the 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival is free for children under 12 and active military.

Children aged 13-17, seniors 55+ and former military members receive discounted $15 admission at the ticket gate.

Adults 18 and over have multiple ticket packages:

  • General Admission
    • 2-day with express entry: $50.
    • 1-day with express entry: $35.
    • 1-Day: $30.
  • VIP
    • 2-day VIP: $160.
    • 1-day VIP: $110.
  • Walter Studios AfterParty
    • GA: $45.
    • VIP upgrade: $10.

Both cash and credit cards will be accepted on-site for admissions and for beverage sales at all bars. ATMs are also available throughout the festival grounds.

Festival volunteers who work at least four hours can attend for free. Anyone interested can email volunteers@phoenixpride.org for more information.

“We live in a state that still doesn’t grant equal protections to our community in housing, employment and public accommodations,” Fornelli said. “This year’s festival and parade will also serve as a strong and undeniable reminder that we still have a lot of work to do, to see to it that everyone in our community can be free, and remain free, to live openly in their most genuine identity.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

49 minutes ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

3 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

4 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

5 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

6 hours ago

Mesa Public Schools is planning layoffs....

Kevin Stone

Mesa Public Schools reveals details about how many jobs it plans to cut

Mesa Public Schools, the state’s largest public school district, released new details about its previously announced plan for layoffs.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How IRAs are a helpful tool in retirement planning

When it comes to retirement planning, individual retirement accounts (IRAs) can be a great tool for income growth.

...

Schwartz Laser Eye Center

Don’t miss the action with this game-changing procedure

PHOENIX -- The clear lens exchange procedure has emerged as a popular alternative to LASIK eye surgery.

Here’s what you need to know about Phoenix Pride Festival 2024