Celebrate Pride and Community in the Berkshires

The Berkshires comes alive in June—not just with galas, theater, and music—but with the joy, visibility, and vitality of its LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you’re a local or here for a visit, there are vibrant, welcoming, and joy-filled ways to celebrate Pride (and you) this month and into the year. 

Berkshire Busk. Photo by Sam Brewer.

March and Dance at Parades and Festivals

Pride is one of the fastest-growing community endeavors across the Berkshires, with many towns taking part in the festivities. On June 7, The Berkshire Pride Festival & Parade in Pittsfield is a can’t-miss celebration of love, identity, and inclusion—with music, drag performances, dancing, local vendors and organizations, and high vibes all day long. The Town of Lee is hosting its first ever Pride celebration on June 14 and the City of North Adams will celebrate Pride in the courtyard of MASS MoCA on June 20. Capping off Pride month is the opening weekend of Berkshire Busk! on the streets of Great Barrington, with Pride Night happening on June 28. Be prepared for fire dancing, drag shows, face-painting (adults, too!) and much more. 

Build Love Brick by Brick

Celebrate creativity at the Brick & Sip: Pride Edition, where LEGO fans come together to construct a Pride Flag with ALL the colors, thanks to the folks at Bottomless Bricks. This event will happen at Wander Berkshire, a beloved cafe and community gathering space in Downtown Pittsfield, which will also be home to a Vow In (for vow renewals or for couples to marry!) on June 7, as well as a whole slew of events for this beautiful month. 

Dance, Sing, and Party Like Everyone is Watching!

The Berkshires comes alive in June, and Pride dance parties are a mainstay. Head to Naumkeag’s Gilded-Age gardens in Stockbridge for a fabulous, flower-bursting afternoon Berkshire Pride Tea Dance, or get your tickets to Berkshire Pride’s VIP party/fundraiser with DJ BFG at the Stationery Factory in Dalton on June 13. If you are looking to literally live out loud, the fine brewers at Hot Plate Brewing Co. in Pittsfield are hosting a Fundraiser Karaoke night on June 6. And the fun doesn’t stop at the end of the month! Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival is dedicating a whole weekend, July 11-13, to queer joy in motion, with a dance party, a revelry brunch, and Pillow Pride history tour with “plenty of tea” for everyone! 

North Adams Pride. Photo by The Porches Inn.

Rest, Reflect, and Reconnect

Pride isn’t just sequins and rainbows and disco. This is also a month to explore, reflect, and reconnect with the stories and uplift of ourselves and others. At Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, dive deeper into peace and healing with year-round programming led by or for LGBTQIA+ presenters on campus and online. Or enjoy a Tea & Talk about the inclusive Festival House era (1950-1961) at Ventfort Hall Gilded Age Mansion & Museum in Lenox. The eclectic and wonderful TurnPark Art Space in West Stockbridge is hosting its annual summer festival all day on June 14. This year’s theme, Roots and Wings, promises meditative rituals, wearable sculptures, immersive installations, music, dance, and so much more. Be prepared to make deep connections with yourself and others at this special event. 

However you choose to celebrate Pride, the Berkshires welcomes you to come as you are, always.