Wave Your Rainbow Flag: Things to Do During Dallas Pride Week

Despite taking place three months after most major cities host their Pride celebrations, Dallas’s LGBTQ+ community always comes together every mid-September for a celebration of epic, queer proportions. While thousands crowd Cedar Springs Road and Oak Lawn Avenue every year to watch the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade, a lot of the gayborhood’s bars and clubs host events leading up to the parade. In our nation’s  political climate, a sense of community and a familial atmosphere are more vital now than ever. In the days leading up to the Pride Parade, there are plenty of opportunities for you and your tribe to let your rainbow flags fly high.

American Horror Story Watch Party
9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 at Cedar Springs Tap House, 4123 Cedar Springs Rd Ste. 100
Two of American Horror Story’s fan-favorite seasons, Murder House and Coven, will cross over for the newest season of the Ryan Murphy-produced Emmy award-winning anthology series. You can catch the premiere of American Horror Story: Apocalypse at Cedar Springs Tap House while sitting back and enjoying a variety of beers on tap.

Project Funway: Pride Edition
10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12 at The Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall, 3912 Cedar Springs Rd.
Test your fashion knowledge and design skills at Project Funway, a friendly fashion game show hosted by local drag performer Sassy O’Hara. Contestants will demonstrate their designing abilities by bedazzling, pinning, taping, and/or stapling together a creation. A grand prize winner of $100 will be elected by the audience at the end of the night.

Mr. and Ms. Round-Up 2018
8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 13 at The Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall, 3912 Cedar Springs Rd
Looking for your big break? At Mr. and Ms. Round-Up, contestants compete for a chance to represent The Round-Up Saloon and Dance Hall on a float in the Pride Parade. Compete for a chance to slay the Pride crowd with your talents, or swing by and support the contestants.

Women With Pride - Dallas Pride Kickoff
6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 at Resource Center Dallas, 5750 Cedar Springs Rd.
The inaugural Women With Pride event will feature entertainment from superwomen in the LGBTQ+ community. Show up in your best superhero costume and enjoy food from Easy Slider and Soul Good food trucks, as well as cocktails from the open bar. Plus, there will be a chance to win raffle prizes. All LGBTQ+ self-identified women are welcome to attend Women With Pride.

Pride Karaoke
9:45 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 and Saturday, Sept. 15 at Peker’s Bar, 2615 Oak Lawn Ave.
Do you have what it takes to slay an audience with your vocals and runs? Peker’s will host Pride Karaoke on Friday and Saturday night. Each singer will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win $50 at the end of the night. Plus, singers and audience members can enjoy $3 Bud Light bottles and well tequila during karaoke.

Planned Parenthood After Dark
10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 at Alexandre’s, 4026 Cedar Springs Rd.
In between Pride festivities, be sure to register to do your civic duty for the upcoming midterm elections. Voter registration will be open at Alexandre’s during the inaugural Planned Parenthood After Dark event. Proceeds from the night’s drink specials will directly benefit Planned Parenthood Texas Votes.

Miller Lite Music Festival in the Park
11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 15 at Reverchon Park, 3505 Maple Ave
This year’s Pride parade will be preceded by a day-long outdoor music festival. For just $10, attendees can see performances by RuPaul’s Drag Race alumna Asia O’Hara, David Hernandez, The Roommates, and more. All ages are welcome to attend the festival, as there will be both a teen zone and a family zone.

Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade
2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16 at the beginning of Cedar Springs Road and ending at Turtle Creek Blvd.
For the 35th year, local dignitaries, marching groups, performers, and many more will take to Cedar Springs for the Alan Ross Texas Freedom Parade. Viral sensation Josh From Walmart, Miss Gay Houston 2017 winner Grecia Montes Docca, and The Real Housewives of Dallas are all slated to make appearances. The parade is free to attend.