Arlington Town Pride

Arlington's Town Pride is organized by the Rainbow Commission, a volunteer body appointed by the town. The 2026 festivities included the town's first Queer Market inside Arlington Town Hall. Arlington held its first Pride event in June 2018.

Arlington's Pride events are run by the LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission, which Town Meeting created by bylaw in 2017. The commission has nine volunteer members: eight appointed by the Town Manager with Select Board approval and one appointed by the School Committee. Its purpose is to promote affirming policies across the full range of sexual orientations and gender identities and to build visibility through education, advocacy and work with town agencies, schools and community groups.

The Queer Market at Arlington Town Hall ran from noon to 4 p.m. with free entry. It was planned around queer-owned vendors, artists, makers and small businesses, with about 40 sellers plus tables for local nonprofits sharing resources, and organizers expected visitors from across the greater Boston area.

The commission usually meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m., both in person at the Arlington Community Center and on Zoom, and its meetings and events are open to the public. People who need accommodations can contact the commission, which asks for at least two weeks of notice to arrange an ASL interpreter. The commission has also organized residents to support trans and gender-diverse students at School Committee hearings.

Pride events celebrate LGBTQ+ people and mark the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. Most combine a parade or march with a festival of performers, community groups, vendors and food.

Arlington Town Pride has included queer market and community festivities.

Arlington Town Pride was first held in 2018.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held May 31, 2026. It usually falls late May or June.