Kent Pride

Kent Pride holds a weekend of Pride events in downtown Kent. A Friday march goes from the Kent State Hotel to the Franklin Street gazebo for a rally with local groups. Saturday brings the Queer and Here Market of LGBTQ+ artists and makers, followed by an evening bar crawl.

Kent Pride Fest says its mission is to promote visibility by celebrating people as individuals and remembering what the community has fought to protect. It works to create affirming, welcoming events for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and invites new board members and volunteers to help it grow.

Pride in Kent also extends into October with Rainbow Weekend, hosted by Main Street Kent with the Kent State LGBTQ+ Center during LGBTQ+ History Month. That weekend includes bridge decorations in Progress and Trans Pride colors, drag performances, storytelling, workshops and a Rainbow Walk through downtown. Proceeds from events such as the Drag Race 5K go to Kent State's LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund, which helps students in crisis with needs ranging from housing to academic materials.

The June Pride Fest, organized with Acorn Alley and partner groups, brings live music, local vendors, food and art downtown and is free and open to all ages. The city also has an LGBTQ+ grant program that gives seed funding to local organizers, artists and nonprofits for events, education and support services.

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.

Kent Pride has included march, rally, market and bar crawl.

The organizer has not announced dates for 2027 yet. In 2026 it was held June 12-13, 2026. It usually falls mid-June weekend.