Provincetown Pride Center Set for Grand Opening During Pride month

Pride is coming to Provincetown, one of America’s queerest towns. And this year, they have an extra reason to celebrate – the grand opening of The Provincetown Pride Center!

The Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) presents Provincetown Pride, June 1-4, 2023. The annual celebration of America’s premier LGBTQ+ destination will feature new events and beloved experiences that uplift the full and fabulous spectrum of the LGBTQ+ community, including the Pride Cruise with Bay State Cruise Company, Queer Comedy Showcase, Pride Tea Dance, and more.

Provincetown Pride has grown significantly since its inception, with keystone events like the Pride rally on the steps of Town Hall expanding from several hundred attendees to several thousand in just a few short years. While the PBG’s Official Pride launched in 2018, this was not the first Pride event in Provincetown.

“There have been countless celebrations of Pride marking Provincetown’s queer history,” said Trevor Pittinger, Associate Director of the PBG. “In approaching Provincetown’s annual Pride this June 2-4, we are committed to recognizing each brick, step, and demonstration that brought us to where we now stand. Pride in Provincetown is woven with the threads of our shared histories and commemorates the work that’s come before us to help power the LGBTQ+ movement forward, both locally and beyond. “

Pittinger continues: “We’re also reminded that the current wave of violence and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, especially towards trans and non-binary people, queer youth, and drag artists, reaffirm the crucial need to protect and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community. There is no better place to do so than Ptown, a haven for the queer community and a place of tolerance and diversity for over a century.”

And now, Provincetown is adding something new to its important legacy – a new space debuting during Pride and steeped in the town’s history, the Provincetown Pride Center. The PBG’s office recently moved to 115 Bradford St., its original office space from decades ago. Thanks to the generosity of The Palette Fund for making this move possible, the PBG’s new home will also be the location of the Provincetown Pride Center. 

The Pride Center will be a gathering space centered on exhibitions and experiences, including gallery shows highlighting the queer history, emerging artists, Provincetown’s LGBTQ+ legacy, and much more. The Center will host programming during Provincetown’s many theme weeks. It will be open to the public starting Pride Weekend on Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer, with extended hours during select summer weekends.

The Provincetown Pride Center’s Grand Opening is Thursday, June 1, at 5:00 PM. For the second year, the PBG is partnering with the Gilbert Baker Foundation to present a powerful exhibition focused on the Rainbow Flag. Flag in the Map is a collection of photographs and stories that reaffirm the universal power of the Rainbow Flag to inspire LGBTQ+ people across the globe. This collection will be on display at the Provincetown Pride Center for the month of June.

The Grand Opening will also feature a partnership with Levi’s, one of the PBG’s Pride sponsors. Customize your denim with embroidery, patches, and more in the Levi’s vintage airstream. Denim items will also be for sale on-site.

Pride continues Friday, June 2, with a fun-filled experience at sea. Journey from Boston to Provincetown with your LGBTQ+ family for the Annual Pride Celebration with Bay State Cruise Co. Get a preview of Pride weekend events, see your community flags flying high from the boat, The Provincetown II, and relax with a beverage as you sail to Provincetown.

On Saturday, June 3, the Pride tradition of gathering for a rally at Town Hall will expand this year into a Pride Festival, rally, and the always fierce, Sashay to Tea. Starting at 1:00 PM, the free Pride Festival will feature live music, vendors, and more. At 4:00 PM on the steps of Town Hall, there will be a rally channeling the spirit of Stonewall and Provincetown’s rich legacy of queer activism with community members, politicians, and music. Immediately following the rally, sashay to the legendary Boatslip Tea Dance with resident DJ Maryalice.

“We are excited for the expansion of this year’s rally to include a Pride Festival showcasing our local artists, creators, and small businesses,” said PBG Executive Director Stephan Hengst. “The rallying of our community reminds us why we need to be proud of our LGBTQ+ family each and every day. Even in Provincetown, where it can feel like Pride all the time, it’s essential, we remain visible and remember that there are so many places across the country and the world that do not enjoy the freedoms we do.”

On Saturday night, the Provincetown Business Guild will host the second annual Queer Comedy Showcase at Town Hall. Hosted by Provincetown’s own personality and comedian, Austin Tyler, this event serves as Pride’s primary fundraiser, and supports the myriad of Pride’s events and activities. Starring Sri Lankan-born and New York-based stand-up comedian, actor, and writer Sureni Weerasekera, Jared Goldstein (the new season of Black Mirror, Modern Family, The Unicorn, Dollface, and the upcoming Fox TV comedy, Dicks), and Maddie Wiener (regular guest on the We’re Having Gay Sex podcast – named comedy podcast of the year by Paper Magazine). Accessibility is a focus for this Town Hall event with tickets starting at just $25.

The PBG is partnering with the Provincetown Runners again this year for a 5K Run/Walk. Branded ‘Feet Over Front Street,’ the event honors Commercial Street’s original name, Front Street, which dates to 1880. The 5K Run/Walk starts at the Harbor Hotel in Provincetown’s East End and runs the entire length of Commercial Street to the Provincetown Inn in the west end of town. The 5K offers participants a start-to-finish, rainbow-railroad takeover of the main drag of the world’s premier queer travel destination. Pets and kids are also welcome to participate, with special rates available for youth and seniors.

Pride Weekend parties abound this year, including the Full Spectrum Pride Kickoff Party at Red Room, Official Pride Dance Party at A-House, and the Pride Underwear Party at Red Room. New this year is Babes & Bois, a strawberry full moon celebration for the queer and Sapphically-inclined at Gifford House’s Porch Bar with specialty cocktails, tarot card readings, and chill vibes by DJ Sam Sewell. Tickets or cover at the door will be donated to Ptown’s HOW (Helping Our Women).

Take a look at the full calendar of Provincetown Pride events below to see what other exciting events they have in store! 

PLEASE NOTE: Many Pride events are free and are indicated as such below. Events that require paid tickets or pre-registration are available online at www.ptown.org. 

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THURSDAY JUNE 1

• Provincetown Pride Center Grand Opening and flag raising ceremony, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, Provincetown Pride Center, 115 Bradford St., FREE
• Flag in the Map Exhibition, 5:00 PM-8:00 PM (and throughout the month of June), Provincetown Pride Center, 115 Bradford St., FREE
• A Night at the Chef’s Table, 7:00 PM, various participating restaurants, $150
  • 30th annual fundraiser for ASGCC (AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod)

FRIDAY JUNE 2

• Pride Bingo, 3:00 PM, Governor Bradford, 312 Commercial St., $40
• ‘Pride Queen’ Debut Party happy hour, 5:00 PM, Brass Key Guesthouse, 67 Bradford St.
• Pride edition Crossing with Bay State Cruise Co., 5:30 PM, World Trade Center on Seaport Blvd., Boston, pricing varies
• Full Spectrum Pride Kickoff Party, 10:00 PM, Red Room, 258 Commercial St., $10

SATURDAY JUNE 3

• Provincetown Pride Festival, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM, Provincetown Town Hall, East Lawn, FREE
• Pride Rally at Town Hall & ‘Sashay’ to Tea, 4:00 PM, Provincetown Town Hall, FREE
• Provincetown Pride Tea Dance, 4:00 PM, The Boatslip
• Queer Comedy Showcase, 8:00 PM (doors at 7:00 PM, cash bar available), Provincetown Town Hall, $25-$45
• Pride Underwear Party, 10:00 PM, doors at 9:00 PM, Red Room, $10
• Official Pride Dance Party, 10:00 PM, A-House, 4-6 Masonic Place, $20

SUNDAY JUNE 4

• Feet Over Front Street 5K – Pride Run & Walk, 8:30 AM-10:00 AM, Harbor Hotel, 698 Commercial St., $35-$50
• Babes & Bois – Strawberry Moon Celebration for the Queer and Sapphically-inclined, 2:00 PM-4:00 PM, Porch Bar at The Gifford House, 9 Carver St., $10

THURSDAY, JUNE 1 – SUNDAY, JUNE 4

• Womxn of Color Weekend – a celebration of Pride and diversity for LGBTQ+ women of color. More information at wocw.org/registration.

Visit ptown.org for more information, including up-to-date schedules, including event dates, times, locations, lodging availability, and information and links for those events requiring a ticket.