The second-largest city in the state of Washington, with a population of approximately 200,000 and a location at the southern tip of Puget Sound, just 35 miles south of Seattle, Tacoma has a sizeable LGBT population and is the host of the Festival of the Tacoma Gay Pride Early to Mid-July: Events take place this year from July 8-16, 2016, but the main Pride day is Saturday, July 9.
The festivities typically begin with the start of the Tacoma Pride Festival on Friday afternoon, July 8, in the lobby of the impressive Pantages Theater. On Saturday, July 9, the Out in the Park Pride celebration takes place right next to the Pantages on South 9th and Pacific Avenue, from noon to 5 pm. You can meet and mingle with over 100 vendors and watch a wide range of entertainment, from drag shows to musicians – this year’s lineup includes Deveastatia Black Snow and Nasty Habits, among other talents with funny names.
This is followed from 5 pm to 2 am outside Tacoma’s popular gay bar, Mix, with the annual Tacoma Pride Block Party, featuring a dancing DJ, food trucks, three bars and dancers.
Many other fun events take place during Pride Week (which runs through July 16), from a night of skating to the Tacoma Pride Movie Series. Visit the official Tacoma Pride events calendar for more details.
Also note that just a two hour drive north, Bellingham Gay Pride takes place on the weekend of July 9-10.
Tacoma Gay Resources
Check out the Tacoma Gay Dining and Nightlife Guide for tips on where to eat and play during Tacoma Pride. Also check out local gay newspapers and websites, such as the Seattle Gay Times and Seattle Lesbian. And take a look at the very helpful visitor site produced by the city’s official tourism organization, Travel Tacoma.
