Drag shows, club nights, and drink and draw: A guide to Pride weekend
Eva Osborne
Dublin will celebrate Pride this weekend, the last weekend of Pride Month.
There are events scattered across the city, with something for everyone.
Whether you're looking for a big night out, a drag show, or a quiet celebration, there is something for you!
Friday, June 27th
The Aphrodisiac PRIDE Party x Amaria BB will kick off Pride weekend celebrations in The Sound House.
Organisers are promising a night of "unapologetic joy, energy, and celebration" from 11pm until 3am.
Expect an electric blend of Afrobeats, Amapiano, Dancehall, Bashment, and R&B from some of the best DJs in the city — plus Amaria BB taking the stage.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
If you're looking for a chiller, more relaxed vibe, Drink & Draw Ireland's paint party could be the event for you.
Attendees will have the chance to win prizes and create a masterpiece.
Organisers are promising "music and craic", with no painting experience necessary.
Gen Bar in Smithfield is the location for the event, which will run from 7pm-9pm on Friday evening.
Back to the late-night parties, Racket will present Pride Pre-Party with Cormac & Mercorn on Friday night at The Racket Space, Cross Guns Bridge.
The event will run from 11pm until 3am and tickets are available from €8 on Eventbrite.
The Button Factory will host the hippie-themed Euphoria Pride 2025 'Shine On' event with DJ Nina Sabbah.
Organisers are promising a "night to remember" with "the wildest, most colorful, high-energy party of the year".
"A full-blown explosion of music, freedom, sweat, and glitter – get ready for a night of pure madness and hippie vibes where love rules everything!
"Unleash your free spirit – flowers, psychedelic glasses, bold colors and fierce attitude encouraged."
Sweatbox will host the 'Swallow My Pride' warm-up event on Friday night at The Grand Social from 10:30pm until 3am.
Resident DJ at The George, DJ Karen, will be playing house music, while Jamie G will bring club hits.
Sweatbox does not allow cameras at its events, saying: "No cameras. No egos. Just music and molten queer vibes.
"Pride weekend. Queer heat. Maximum sweat. And you."
Saturday, June 28th
Saturday is a jam-packed day, as the Pride parade will take to the streets of Dublin city.
The parade starts at 12:30pm and lasts approximately two hours.
If you are taking part in the parade as an individual or with a group of friends, there is no need to register.
This is a free event and you can rock up anywhere along the route to watch. You can join in the march once the groups have moved onto the quays.
The parade will assemble on O'Connell Street before moving to Eden Quay, Custom House Quay, Talbot Memorial Bridge, City Quay, Lombard Street, Westland Row, then finally Lincoln Place.
Once the parade is finished, there's a range of Pride events and after-parties on throughout the city.
The most notable is the Mother Pride Block Party, taking place at the National Museum of Ireland.
The event is sold out, which is no surprise due to the amazing lineup, featuring winner of the third season of RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Trixie Mattel.
Trixie Mattel will have a DJ set at the event, which kicks off at 4pm.
The Blessed Madonna, Samantha Mumba, and Haus of Wig will perform at the event too.
KING will return for the Pride Comeback and the Mother Pride after party at NoLIta from 11pm.
Lesbian rock band Pillow Queens will be making an appearnace, with Claire Beck, Aoife Nic Canna, and Kate Brennan Harding on the decks.
Mother will be throwing Pride after parties at Button Factory and Lost Lane as well.
If you're more into alternative music, Acephale Cabaret will present Alernative Pride at Fibber Magees from 9pm until 2am.
Organisers say: "Calling all queers, goths, punks, rockers, freaks, misfits and creatures of the night...
"We're back once again and this time we'll be celebrating Pride Month with a darker edge as we dance defiantly to a fusion of 80's queer anthems, aggressive industrial beats, and underground tunes.
"Enjoy a night of DJs playing underground & alternative tunes, rock'n'roll Drag performances, and a DIY alternative market. We will also be raising funds to support Trans Harm Reduction Ireland."
Celebrate Pride weekend with rainbow-coloured shots and karaoke at Generator Dublin's Pride Party.
The event will run from 7pm until 11:30pm, and entry is free!
Sunday, June 29th
The Gauche Pride Weekend Market will run from 12pm until 5pm on Sunday at Wigwam.
The monthly themed market aims to celebrate queer artists and small businesses, featuring handmade and unique jewellery, homewares, art, apparel, accessories, stickers, prints, candles and more.
There will be tarot card readings and free book swaps.
Entry is free and dogs are welcome (and encouraged!).
Pawn Shop on Dame Street will wrap up Pride weekend with a neon painting event.
The theme will be 'Pride - Freddie Mercury', and will kick off at 5:30pm and run for two hours.
Organisers say: "Paint A Neon Canvas. Music. UV Lights. Prizes. No Experience Needed To Take Part."
Tickets are available via Eventbrite.
If you're in the mood for some comedy and poetry, why not head to the Pride Weekend Open Mic at the Queer Hawk Barbershop & Salon.
The event will run from 7:30pm until 9pm.
Hog and Dice; Lila Mogh; Mia; Alex Cole; and Clíona Malin will perform at the event.
Queer art, performance and friendship will be at the core of the event, with attendees urged to bring their poetry, music, comedy, and art to show their peers.
You can also just come and enjoy the performances of others!
Drop by Harcourt Hotel any time from 4pm until midnight for some live music, DJs, cocktails, food, and good vibes.
John Tracey will provide live music from 5pm -7pm, while Nathan Bradshaw will DJ from 7pm until 11pm.
Entry is free, and the event is in an open air garden.
Pride doesn't end in June!
If you're not around this weekend and are sad to miss out on Dublin's pride events, don't worry.
There will be Pride parades and events on across the country throughout the summer.
The Limerick Pride parade will take place on July 12th.
The Cork LGBT+ Pride festival will take place on August 3rd.
Galway Pride week will run from August 10th-16th.
