PHOENIX – This year’s Phoenix Pride Festival celebrates the Valley’s LGBTQ+ community.

Although Pride in other cities is typically celebrated in June in honor of the Stonewall Uprising, Phoenix celebrates Pride in the fall due to hot summer temperatures.

The 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival begins on Saturday at 2:00 p.m Steele Indian School Park, which is located near Central Avenue and Indian School Road.

Vibrant colors will then light up the streets of downtown Phoenix on Sunday as the parade whizzes through the city.

The Phoenix Pride Parade will be Starting at 10 a.m. Sunday on Third Street between Thomas and Indian School Roads.

Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza of Barrio Queen, American Idol star David Hernandez and Governor Katie Hobbs will serve as the parade's community grand marshals.

The parade is free and open to all ages. More than 3,000 participants and more than 10,000 spectators are expected.

Which headliners will be performing at the Phoenix Pride Festival 2024?

The theme of the 43rd annual event is “Born This Way,” a reference to the popular song by Lady Gaga. All headliners are members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Here is the performance schedule for Circle K Main Stage on Saturday:

• Wendy Guevara at 6 p.m
• Slayyyter at 7 p.m
• Saucy Santana at 8 p.m

Here is the performance schedule for the Circle K Main Stage on Sunday:

• The Scarlet Opera at 6 p.m
• Vassy at 7 p.m
• David Archuleta at 8 p.m

Phoenix Proud Executive Director Mike Fornelli said 2024 is a special and unique year for the Phoenix Pride Festival.

“A rare headlining lineup…includes all and only artists who are all openly members of the LGBTQ+ community,” Fornelli said in a press release.

The program for the 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival reflects how far the LGBTQ+ community has come, he added.

“We have a huge and ever-growing pool of popular talent who feel safe and comfortable living openly and in public as their authentic selves,” said Fornelli. “That wasn’t the case two decades ago and certainly wouldn’t have been possible 43 years ago when Phoenix existed Proud had its beginnings.”

What else is there at the Phoenix Pride Festival 2024?

In addition to the headliners on the Circle K stage, the 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival will feature six additional entertainment stages across the 60+ acre festival grounds.

The ¡Club Papi! The Fiesta Caliente Latin Stage will feature a number of high-profile artists.

Drag Race Mexico Season 1 winner Christian Peralta and fellow contestant Gala Varo will perform Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m

Peralta and Varo will also perform Sunday at 4:45 p.m

The Latin Stage also presents Kitty Soucre on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and 3:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Miss Vanjie will also appear on the Latin stage on Sunday at 6:30 p.m

In addition, more than 300 exhibitors present a wide variety of stands. Guests can purchase groceries and handicrafts.

The organizers are expecting more than 55,000 visitors this year.

How much do Phoenix Pride Festival 2024 tickets cost?

Admission to the 2024 Phoenix Pride Festival is free for children under 12 and active military personnel.

Children ages 13 to 17, seniors 55 and older, and military veterans receive a discounted admission of $15 at the ticket window.

Adults 18 and over have several ticket packages:

• General admission
  • 2 days with express entry: $50.
  • 1 day express entry: $35.
  • 1 day: $30.

• VIP
  • 2-Day VIP: $160.
  • 1-Day VIP: $110.

• Walter Studios AfterParty
  • GA: $45.
  • VIP Upgrade: $10.

Both cash and credit cards are accepted on site for entry and drink sales at all bars. ATMs are also available throughout the festival grounds.

Festival volunteers who work at least four hours can participate for free. Interested parties can email [email protected] for more information.

“We live in a state that still does not provide our community with equal protections when it comes to housing, employment and public accommodations,” Fornelli said. “This year’s festival and parade will also serve as a strong and undeniable reminder that we still have much work to do to ensure that everyone in our community can be and remain free to express themselves openly in their most authentic form live identity.”

Follow @veenstra_david