Skate, laugh, dance and dine in the name of LGBTQ+ Pride with multiple in-person events coordinated by Brooklyn Pride, Inc, the hosts of Brooklyn Pride. Mickey Heller, Co-Chair of Brooklyn Pride, said he has seen a lot of change over his 16 years with the organization, but much of what makes Brooklyn Pride special stays the same.
“We don’t just hold space; we make the space available. We go through spaces,” said Heller in an interview with Radio Free Brooklyn show Queer State of Mind. “That’s what we do as a queer community. And it’s wonderful because we see how relevant and necessary Pride still is.”
The borough’s largest Pride festival added new events this year, including a skating night on June 5, and a square dancing night on June 16, led by the Times Squares, an LGBTQ+ square dancing club.
The much-loved comedy show on June 8 will feature a diverse slate of LGBTQ+ comedians, including host Lois Thompson, headliner Rita Brent, Chewy May, Meka Mo, Oscar Aydin, and Whitney Chanel. Tickets can be purchased here while available.
“We wanna be able to approach everyone,” says Heller. We want everyone to feel that they’re included. They’re part of this family of Brooklyn Pride. We wanna have events for everyone.”
This year, Brooklyn Pride celebrates its 30th anniversary. The event began as a march that began in Park Slope and ended at a Prospect Park festival back in 1997, according to the Pride Guide.
The festival now attracts thousands to 5th Avenue between Union and 9th streets for food, vendors, information booths and hours of entertainment on its main stage.
“Our stage is gonna be packed this year, overflowing with talent,” said Heller. More than 20 acts will grace the main entertainment stage, including a range of singers and performers from drag to Bollywood. The Brooklyn Pride Guide includes a listing of all of the performers this year.
Heller says attendees can expect not just food, entertainment and things to buy, but also organizations providing health and wellness services, such as HIV and blood pressure testing.
“That’s what’s so important for our community: to get tested, get looked at, get information, and get help, both physically and mentally, if you need it,” said Heller.
This year’s festival and parade registrations closed early, according to Heller, due to overwhelming interest, with more than 100 organizations marching in this year’s twilight parade beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Brooklyn Pride Festival kicks off at 11 a.m. on June 13 and ends at 5 p.m. Both the festival and parade are free and open to the public, while other events may be ticketed. Check out the full slate of Brooklyn Pride events below:
Brooklyn Pride Events
June 5 – Roller Skating with Pride
June 8 – Comedy Night at Littlefield
June 9 – Brooklyn Pride Honors
June 10 – Drag Bingo
June 11 – LGBTQIA+ Movie Night
June 12 – Brooklyn Cyclones Pride Night
June 13 – Brooklyn Pride LGBTQIA+ 5K Run/Walk
June 13 – Annual Brooklyn Pride Multicultural Festival
June 13 – Annual Brooklyn Pride Twilight Parade
June 14 – Book Drop
June 15 – Dine with Pride
June 16 – Square Dancing with the Times Squares
June 17 – Interfaith Service
June 18 – Stargazing with Pride
June 20 – Youth Pride 2026
RFB at Brooklyn Pride
Radio Free Brooklyn’s show Queer State of Mind will be broadcasting live from Park Slope on festival Saturday, in a special 4-hour broadcast from Good Judy, from 12-4.
For more of the interview with Mickey Heller from Brooklyn Pride, tune into Queer State of Mind on Saturday, June 6 at noon for the 2026 Pride Month Kickoff.
