Ithaca Pride Festival 2026

Maddy

Ithaca is proud to be an inclusive, welcoming destination, where Pride is a part of daily life. That said, in June each year, the entire community takes pause to celebrate the diverse LGBTQIA+ (lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, and beyond) people who live in, work in, and visit Tompkins County! If you're lucky enough to be in the area, we encourage you to check out what's happening!

From June 12-14, 2026, the Ithaca Pride Alliance (IPA) takes center stage with the Ithaca Pride Festival, a visible expression of queer community joy and belonging over the long weekend. On Friday, June 12 (7pm - 1am), IPA and Ithaca Underground will co-host the RainbowFest Rock Concert downtown at The Nocturnal Cafe, featuring local musicians, drag performers, and visual artists. Pride will officially kick-off on Saturday, June 13 (3pm to 10pm) at the Opening Ceremony & All-Ages Dance Party at the Bernie Milton Pavilion on The Ithaca Commons; see details at their site for accessibility hours from 3pm to 4pm. The three-day celebration concludes on Sunday, June 14 (10am to 8pm) with Ithaca Pride in the Park: Community Festival, featuring over 70 food, art, and community vendors plus two stages for performances and activities; see details at their site for accessibility hours from 10am to 12pm. 

The Tompkins Chamber is proud to be the fiscal sponsor of the IPA. This 100% volunteer-run organization hosts community-building, advocacy, and educational events for the LGBTQIA+ community in Ithaca and Tompkins County. To learn more about queer events and activities throughout the year, make sure to visit IPA’s Community Events Calendar; they are the central hub for all queer events in town.

The video below by Shira Evergreen at UpliftedIthaca shows highlights from the IPA's 2025 Festival:

Other Pride Events

Many local businesses and community groups will be celebrating Pride this June. While the IPA’s Community Events Calendar includes most of them, we encourage you to check with your favorite spots to see if they have anything special planned. We've heard that your favorite woman-, queer-, and author-owned independent bookstore, Protagonist Books & Coffee, will be having an incredible line-up of events throughout the month, from interactive workshops to author meet-and-greets. Camp Earth Connection will also host an open house on Saturday, June 20 to show off their incredible campgrounds and visitors will have the chance to speak with queer scientists and explore exhibits during the Museum of the Earth's "Natural Queeriosity" on Friday, June 26. No matter what you're interested in, there's something for everyone!

Be sure to also take advantage of events that run throughout the year, including Thursgays (including Drag Bingo) and Cheers Queers at The Rhine House. Social groups like IthaQueers will also post gatherings located at rotating venues around Tompkins County. Many businesses will also regularly host themed nights; for craft cocktails and creative, non-alcoholic options, check out Bar Argos or, for something more lively, K-HOUSE Karaoke & Arts Hub near the State Theatre. Get an insider's look at the other incredible groups working to uplift and empower queer people here; you can discover more about their work and impact on our Ithaca is Inclusive page!