The festival and parade make up only a fraction of the fun to be had this week and through the weekend. Here are 30 reasons there is no reason to be bored in Charlotte until at least next Monday.
August 14
Wine Down Wednesday
What: Grab a front-row seat to a great cast of drag queens with host Onya Nerves. Oh, and pizza.
More: 8 p.m.-Midnight; Free; Mellow Mushroom, 255 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Whiskey Schtick Pride Edition
What: Your weekly comedy show featuring up-and-coming Charlotte comics, only gayer.
More: 8 p.m.; Free; Single Barrel Room, 1221 The Plaza
Crowned Sparrow CraftxCraft
What: One of many Crowned Sparrow craft events through Pride, this one focuses on embroidery.
More: 6:30-8:30 p.m.; $30-$36; Wooden Robot Brewery, 1440 S. Tryon St., #110
August 15
Family Pride Picnic
What: A family-friendly Pride event hosted by one of Charlotte’s more inclusive churches.
More: 5-8 p.m.; Free; Missiongathering Charlotte, 420 E. 15th St.
Queen City Connects Pride Mixer
What: Charlotte’s premier LGBTQ+ and ally networking organization hosts an event featuring more than 45 organizations.
More: 5:30-8 p.m.; Donation suggested; Argon, 4544 South Blvd., #H
Rise to Pride
What: Celebrate a pre-Pride party in the sky with panoramic views from the 33rd floor, drinks, treats and CLT’s oldest statewide LGBTQ org, Equality NC.
More: 6-8 p.m.; Free, registration required; Ascent Uptown, 225 S. Poplar St.
Pour Pride
What: Pride Music Bingo featuring drag performances by Tricia Lust, Shania Satisfaction and Onya Mann.
More: 6-11 p.m.; Free, limited capacity; Pour Taproom, 1212 Central Ave.
August 16
OutWOD Charlotte
What: It’s going to be a long weekend. Be proactive about the shameful things you’ll consume with this LGBTQ-inclusive workout.
More: 6 p.m.; $25; Silver Wolf Crossfit, 2128 Remount Road
Charlotte Pride Women’s Takeover
What: Calling all women and femmes to a pre-Pride takeover featuring drink specials, raffles and gift bags for the first 150 to show.
More: 8 p.m.-Midnight; Free; Taproom Social, 430 W. 4th St.
Pride Weekend at Snug
What: The best spot for hip-hop and soul heads to be on the night before Pride, featuring Boomchld, Celeste Moonchild, Seebirdgo and DJ SPK.
More: 9 p.m.; $5; Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St.
Stonewall Birthday Pride Dance Party
What: DJ Neon the GlowGo Bear leads a party that celebrates the 50th anniversary of Stonewall and the fifth birthday of Charlotte’s Stonewall Sports.
More: 10 p.m.-2 a.m.; $15; Visulite Theatre, 1615 Elizabeth Ave.
Pride Fest Friday Night
What: Day one of The Vanity House’s three-day Drag Fest features Nina West of Rupaul’s Drag Race, Erica Chanel and Candis Cox.
More: 9 p.m.-Midnight; $25 and up; Ink N Ivy, 222 S. Church St.
Bear Happy Hour
What: FURnace hosts this Bear Happy Hour every month, but Pride weekend makes for the Beary best party of the year.
More: 8 p.m.-2 a.m.; Free; Crown Station, 3629 N. Davidson St.
Bad Romance: A Tribute to Lady Gaga
What: We’re not usually big on plugging covers for acts that are still alive, but we’ve heard good things about this one.
More: 7:30 p.m.; $12; The Fillmore, 820 Hamilton St.
Neon ’90s Pride Kickoff
What: Skylar Michelle-Monet, Ashley Jordan, Tia Douglas, Breonna Tenae, Angela Lopez, Jayla Serena-Mitchell, specialty cocktails and lots of neon.
More: 9:30 p.m.; Free; World of Beer, 210 E. Trade St., Suite E280
Queen City Legends of Pride
What: Buff Faye hosts this party featuring all your favorite former Miss Charlotte Pride queens.
More: 8:30-10:30 p.m.; $10-$75; Rooftop 210, 210 E. Trade St., Suite B320
Crowned Sparrow Crafty Hour
What: If embroidery isn’t your thing, join Crowned Sparrow to make some Pride pennants, which are apparently a thing.
More: 6:30-8:30 p.m.; $24; Catalyst, 255 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Courtney Lynn & Quinn
What: If you can’t catch this wonderfully talented married duo on the Wells Fargo Stage on Saturday, see them at Hattie’s on the night before.
More: 10 p.m.-1 a.m.; Free; Hattie’s Tap & Tavern, 2918 The Plaza
August 17
Charlotte Pride After Party: Creepshow ft. Abhora
What: Abhora of Dragula Season 2 and winner of Alaska Thunderfuck’s Drag Queen of the Year pageant leads this mix of a drag show and Halloween ball.
More: 10 p.m.; $10; Chaser’s, 3217 The Plaza
Zutopia Just Twirl Pride Party
What: DJ/producer Dan Slater of Australia leads a party for folks of all furs, stripes and scales who don’t feel like they fit in elsewhere.
More: 9 p.m.; $25 and up; World Nightclub, 900 N.C. Music Factory Blvd.
Rainbowtopia
What: This is billed as North Carolina’s biggest yearly girl party, featuring Charlotte’s DOMii, DJ Annalyze and DJ Stampede Beats.
More: 10 p.m.; $15-$20; Bassment Charlotte, 911 E. Morehead St.
Slay x Shiprocked
What: Two generations of award-winning drag and burlesque performers come together for the return of one of Charlotte’s favorite parties.
More: 10 p.m.; $10-$15; Snug Harbor, 1228 Gordon St.
No Guidance Bus Bar Hop
What: Why hit one party when you could hit four? This bus party tour stops at Recess, Scorpio, Firehouse and Crystal Reggae Club.
More: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.; $75; Pick up: Crystal Reggae Club, 3018 The Plaza
Now That’s What I Call Drag
What: Buff Faye continues her Rooftop Pride residency hosting a drag show featuring queens based on Madonna, Beyonce, Gaga and Britney.
More: 8:30-10:30 p.m.; $10 and up; Rooftop 210, 210 E. Trade St., Suite B320
Pride Fest Saturday Night
What: Pride Fest continues with Roxxxy Andrews, Cara Cavalli, Axel Andrews, Kennedy Davenport, Jaidynn Dior Fierce, Kassandra Hylton, Erica Chanel and Paris Brooks Bonet.
More: 9 p.m.-Midnight; $25 and up; Ink N Ivy, 22 S. Church St.
Pride Festival at Scorpio
What: An outdoor festival concert featuring Kash Doll, Bre-Z, Tyra B and The Lion Society.
More: 3:30 p.m.; $30; Scorpio Nightclub, 2301 Freedom Drive
Charlotte Pride Festival
What: The official event that all these other parties revolve around. Check out previous pages for details about performers.
More: Aug. 17, Noon-10 p.m., Aug. 18, Noon-6 p.m.; Free; Uptown Charlotte
August 18
Karaoke Brunch
What: The fine folks from Hatie’s Tap & Tavern host a karaoke brunch with $1 off mimosas to help you with your stage fright.
More: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Free, RSVP required; 7th Street Public Market, 224 E. 7th St.
NoDa Pride Afterparty
What: The LGBTQ-owned Company Store will have its own float at Sunday’s parade, then they’re taking the party back to their place after that.
More: 1-8 p.m.; Free; NoDa Company Store, 3221 Yadkin Ave.
Charlotte Pride Parade
What: March with the movement to show your pride in the weekend’s big wrap-up.
More: 1-3 p.m.; Free; Uptown Charlotte
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