Phoenix Pride Rainbows Festival returns to downtown Phoenix this weekend

PHOENIX – The Phoenix Pride Rainbows Festival, Arizona’s second-largest annual LGBTQ+ event, returns this weekend after a 2½-year pandemic hiatus.

The Saturday-Sunday festivities run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day in Heritage Square at Seventh and Monroe streets in downtown Phoenix.

The 19th edition of the Rainbows Festival will feature two stages of live entertainment, craft cocktails, local food trucks and family activities, with 150 exhibitors and sponsors.

Drag performer Ada Vox, an “American Idol” and “Queen of the Universe” contestant, will headline the main stage at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, with Canadian singer-songwriter Mia Martina getting the Sunday headline slot.

The pet-friendly free event, which debuted in 2002 and has been produced by Phoenix Pride since 2012, was last held in November 2019.

“After waiting more than two years to reunite our community at the Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade this past November, we were reminded firsthand of how important it is to have safe spaces where we can come together and celebrate our culture,” Tait Moline, president of the Phoenix Pride board of directors, said in a press release.

“The Rainbows Festival will give us another sorely needed opportunity to do just that.”

Organizers expect more than 20,000 guests at this weekend’s festival. The Phoenix Pride Festival and Parade is the only bigger LGBTQ+ event in the state.

More details, including the full entertainment schedule information about parking, are available at the Phoenix Pride Rainbows Festival website.

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