For the queer community in Worcester, September means one thing: Pride! While most Pride celebrations occur during June, with over 30,000 resident college students returning to Worcester this month, timing the festivities later in the summer boosts engagement. From meetups to performances, block parties and the Pride Festival, there’s something for everyone September 1-15.

Femme Bar launches a new menu September 3 offering a host of what are sure to become fan favorites. September 4 a queer Latino meetup starts at 6:30pm. Paint-your-own pottery studio Claytime hosts a Pride Paint ‘n Sip night on the 11^th. Events like Trivia and Board Game Nights, Win, Lose or Drag, Live Music Fridays and Sunday Brunch continue all month long. Follow the sapphic spot on Instagram @femmebarworcester. 

The annual LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration at New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill is September 5 from 5-9pm. Local LGBTQ+ makers and community organizations will participate in a mini marketplace and resource fair. Craft beers, wines, cocktails, mocktails, and light bites delight. Local drag favorite Harley Queen hosts Storytime at 5:30pm followed by a drag show. Admission is complimentary with advance tickets required. Visit nebg.org/pridecelebration/.

Sashay your way to Mechanics Hall for Queer AF: Art + Fashion, “I’m with the Banned” hosted by Jackie Cox and Jan Sport from Rupaul’s Drag Race on September 6. Fashion designers Mondo Guerra and Sam Donovan from Project Runway are among dozens of stylists and performers uniting for Love Your Labels’ annual fundraiser. Drag, music, dance, fashion and more amount to a magical night of queer joy. Tickets for youth ages 13-17 are complimentary. All proceeds benefit the Worcester-based nonprofit LGBTQ+ youth advocacy organization Love Your Labels. Learn more at www.loveyourlabels.org/queeraf.

The Pride Worcester Festival is Saturday, September 7 from 3-8pm in Downtown Worcester. Stroll the many LGBTQ+ artists’ and crafters’ vendor tables and food options and enjoy live performances and the youth and family zone. Health services will be provided by AIDS Project Worcester and others. The festival is free and open to the public.

Later that evening, three 21+ indoor/outdoor block parties await enthused revelers. Electric Haze hosts “Bearspray: The Official Worcester Pride Block Party” beginning at 8pm. Bearspray will feature Go-go Bears and DanceAway Sound DJs Lisa and Yolanda. Cover is $20. At Femme Bar, three DJs will rock the house. Collaborations with partners including Absolut, Hot Table, Dyke Beer and ILAH Jewelry will add to the gaiety. Oodles of raffles and surprises await, including a surprise celebrity lesbian guest appearance! The bar opens at 5pm, and outdoor area at 7pm. Cover is $15. MB Lounge brings drag queens centerstage with queens Gem Stoner and Fat C hosting a lineup of ten performers ready to dazzle and delight. A captivating laser show will light up the night and DJ Lary will be spinning the tunes. Two full bars and a beer tent will be stocked and ready to serve partygoers. The event starts at 7pm with a $20 cover.

Wormtown Brewery’s Be You Pride Drag Brunch follows on September 8 at Noon. (Doors open at 11am.) Enjoy a dance party with DJ Cristo Disco from 2-4pm. Tickets are $25 on Eventbrite. All proceeds will be donated to MassEquality. 

Polar Park celebrates Pride at the Park Friday the 13^th at 6pm, co-hosted by Femme Bar. First pitch is at 6:05 with fireworks after the game. Tickets are available at fevo-enterprise.com/event/polarparkpride24. 

Worcester Pride wraps up September 15 with Femme Bar’s 21+ Pride Edition OG Drag Brunch. Doors open at 10:30am and tickets are available on Eventbrite. 

Visit and pin www.prideworcester.org  for a full list of events, and happy pride!

Julie Walker (she/her), M.Ed., is a parent, school counselor, GSA Advisor, board member of Love Your Labels, and the creator and manager of @queerworcester (IG).