Upcoming Gay and Lesbian Events

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Check out the upcoming GLBT events happening in Philadelphia, highlighted by large annual celebrations, weekly events at bars and nightclubs and concerts and shows at venues throughout the region.

General Events | Weekly Events | Exhibitions, Concerts and Performing Arts

General Events

Mummers Parade
January 1, 2012 | Broad Street

Thousands of decorative strutters kick off the New Year by marching up Broad Street in the festive day-long Mummers Parade that ends with the Fancy Brigade Finale at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Philadelphia International Flower Show
March 4-11, 2012 | Pennsylvania Convention Center

The Pennsylvania Convention Center is the site of the Philadelphia International Flower Show, the oldest and largest indoor show of its kind. The annual gardening celebration features top-of-the-line horticulture and landscape design, entertainment and more than 150 vendors. This year’s theme, “Islands of Aloha,” draws from the tropical colors and atmosphere of Hawaii.

Pink Pub Crawl
March 24, 2012 | Various Locations

Philadelphia welcomes the first Saturday of spring with the Pink Pub Crawl, an evening bar crawl that hits some of the Gayborhood’s liveliest spots. Those wearing pink can join the action for $25, with registration taking place at the first and second locations only.

Mr. Gay Philadelphia
April 14, 2012 | Voyeur Nightclub

The best representative of the gay community wins during Mr. Gay Philadelphia, when celebrity judges size up the competition at Voyeur Nightclub.

Philadelphia Black Gay Pride
April 22-28, 2012 | Various Locations

Philadelphia Black Gay Pride kicks off as part of a week of celebrations featuring entertainment and educational events throughout the city, including a pageant, a poetry slam, bowling and speed dating.

Equality Forum
May 3-6, 2012 | Various Locations

Equality Forum, the Global LGBT Summit that celebrates the cultural and political legacy of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, includes panels, parties and special events in collaboration with regional, national and international organizations. This year, the Equality Forum will focus on Israel.

New Hope Celebrates Pride
May 14-20, 2012 | New Hope, Bucks County

New Hope’s ninth annual New Hope Celebrates Pride includes the Pride Parade, athletic events, family activities, performances, dance parties and more. Proceeds benefit national and local charities.

Pride Day LGBT Parade and Festival
June 10, 2012 | Various Locations

The 23rd annual Pride Day LGBT Parade and Festival takes place during International Gay and Lesbian Pride Month and features live music, DJs, food, drinks and a festive parade that runs from the Gayborhood to Penn’s Landing.

Wawa Welcome America!
Ends July 4, 2012, starting date to be announced | Various Locations

Celebrating the nation’s birthday, Wawa Welcome America! is a multi-day party with free events for all ages throughout the city—including concerts, a parade and fireworks.

Philadelphia QFest
July 12-23, 2012

The Philadelphia QFest celebrates all genres of film that pertain to or were created by members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.

Summer Pink Pub Crawl
July 14, 2012 | Various Locations

The Summer Pink Pub Crawl returns on Saturday, July 14, 2012 for its second year.

Gay Day at the Phillies
Date: TBD | Citizens Bank Park

The Philadelphia Phillies welcome thousands of gay and lesbian fans to Citizens Bank Park each year for Gay Day. This year, the Phils face the Marlins.

OutFest
October 11, 2012

OutFest, part of the National Coming Out Day Festival, is the largest event of its kind in the world.

Henri David Halloween Ball
October 31, 2012 | Location: TBD

Philadelphia’s ultimate costume party, the annual Henri David Halloween Ball attracts hundreds of revelers dressed in campy, glam and over-the-top getups each year.

Pink Pub Crawl
November 21, 2012 | Various Locations

Philadelphia’s original Pink Pub Crawl returns on Wednesday, November 21, 2012.

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Weekly and Monthly Events

Sing Your Life Karaoke
Mondays and Thursdays at 9 p.m. | Tabu

Winning a Philadelphia magazine “Best of Philly” nod in 2010 her karaoke hostess duties, DJ Sara Sherr’s Sing Your Life Karaoke attracts LGBT hipsters for specially themed singing nights at Tabu.

Bob and Barbara’s Drag Show
Thursdays at 10 p.m. | Bob and Barbara’s

Local drag divas shake their tail feathers at Bob and Barbara’s long-running Drag Show, where the famous Philly drink special includes a can of Pabst and shot of Jim Beam for just three bucks.

Stimulus
Every Third Friday | Marathon Grill

Billed as one of the biggest queer parties on the East Coast, Stimulus packs in the beautiful people every third Friday at Marathon Grill and features some of the best gay and lesbian DJs in the city. Also look for special Arouse parties each season.

Gay Bingo
Select Saturdays | The Gershman Y

Gamers grab their daubers and head “straight” to Gay Bingo, a monthly fundraiser hosted by comically charged drag queens known as the BVDs (Bingo Verifying Divas) at The Gershman Y.

Michael Ferreri
Thursdays at 9 p.m. | The Raven

Pianist and vocalist Michael Ferreri makes his triumphant return to New Hope with a weekly stint at the Raven. Ferreri was last seen in a revival of live shows based on Waylon Flower’s snarky puppet in Madame and Me.

Sex Dwarf
First Fridays at 10:00 p.m. | Fluid Nightclub

Now in its seventh year, DJ Robert Drake’s monthly dance party, attracts plenty of LGBT new wave music fans.

Stimulus
Third Fridays at 10 p.m. | Marathon Grill – 929 Walnut Street

Women flock to monthly dance party Stimulus where famous female DJs spin new favorites and old classics.

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Exhibitions, Concerts and Performing Arts

Shut Up and Dance
May 24, 2011 | Forrest Theatre

Each year, dancers from the Pennsylvania Ballet produce Shut Up & Dance, a one-night-only benefit performance for local non-profit MANNA at the Forrest Theatre — complete with an after-party at Voyeur Nightclub.

Mmm-Bop: The Best of the Boy Bands
June 18, 2011 | Temple Performing Arts Center

The Philadelphia Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates pop culture in Mmm-Bop: The Best of the Boy Bands.

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