We're so delighted to see the diverse amount of events planned for this year's Pride Week. Due to how many events they are taking place across the 7th - 13th of August, we have put together a day-by-day guide on how best to spend your Pride Week in Galway!
This year's Pride Festival is their biggest to date! With over 50 events taking place throughout the city, we can't wait to see you there! This year's theme is '30 years – Where we’ve been, where we’re going'. This is because 2023 marks 30 years since the Irish Government repealed laws which had criminalised consensual same-sex activity and Galway Community Pride wishes to mark this historic anniversary and acknowledge the injustices that the LGBTI+ community still face in Irish society today. For more information about Galway Community Pride please visit their website at https://galwaypride.ie/ and check out the full lineup for this year's festival here.
Please note: We will not tolerate any hateful comments on any of our content regarding Galway Pride Week or any other event. If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all. Thank you for understanding, we hope you all have an incredible Pride Week 2023 and as always be good to yourself and to others, Grá Mór.
Monday: 7th August
12pm - Art Exhibition at Áras na nGael - Running throughout the week from 12pm, Arás na nGael will be hosting a phenomenal Art Exhibition for Galway Pride. For more information on this exhibition check out Galway Pride's Instagram here.
1pm - Flag Raising at Eyre Square - All are welcome to come along to Eyre Square for the Galway Pride Week's flag raising event. This is a great opportunity to mingle and meet new people as we all fully introduce yourself to the incredible lineup of event planned for the week ahead.
4pm - Pop-up Gaeltacht and Open Trad Session at Áras na nGael - Between the two events of Flag Raising and Launch Night, visit Galway Pride at Áras na nGael for a chat as Gaeilge and for an open trad session. All levels welcome.
7pm - Launch Night x Shite Nite at Massimo - The official launch of Pride Week is coinciding with Massimo's Bank Holiday Monday ritual Karaoke night - Shite Night. So you get to start the night off with drag by the amazing Blaq Coffee and the community awards, and then sing your hearts out to your favorite worst taste songs with Shite Nite Karaoke!
7.30pm - Drag Bingo with Blondie at Pálás Bar - Join them for a night of fun and games (and delicious cocktails) as Drag Bingo returns for their special Galway Pride edition, hosted by the fabulous Blondie in the bar at Pálás Cinema.
8pm - Gay Times x Coca Cola Gig at Seven Bar - Get ready for a fab beginning to Galway Pride with Lleo and Callum Crighton. Support TBA. This is a free event, all welcome.
above: photo of Blondie, courtesy of @blondieliciousx
Tuesday: 8th August
5pm - Drag Workshop with Annie Naggins at Áras na nGael - Annie Naggins is back with their incredible Drag Workshop. This is your chance to learn from one of Galway's most well known Drag Queens so if you are an aspiring diva get thee to Áras na nGael and learn everything from padding to pinning your wig to your brain, Annie will be covering it all! This is two hours of glamour and drag and best of all it's free!
7.30pm - Costume Party with Galway against Homophobia at Pálás Cinema - Why wait until Halloween for a costume party? Dress up like your favourite Queer Character/Celebrity and come have fun at Pa’la’s! Orange is The New Black, Angel Evangelista, Marceline The Vampire Queen, Freddie Mercury… Just pick your favourite Queer character in the media and create your best costume! All of the profit from this event will go towards their Halloween Drag Ball and their Binder Project: a project that aims to support Non-Binary and Trans folks with safe-binding.
8pm - Oíche Ceol LADTA+ at Áras na nGael - Join some of Galway’s queer singer/songwriters for a night of music at Áras na nGael as part of Bród an Árais & Galway Pride Week 2023.
Wednesday: 9th August
7.30pm - Traffic Light Dating Night with Galway against Homophobia at Áras na nGael - Whether you’re looking for true love, something casual or just new friends, this Traffic Light Dating Event is for you! Come to Áras Na nGael to find your perfect date, have some drinks and nice food at Áras’ food truck. How does it work: 1. At the entrance, show your ticket and they will give you your colour band depending on what you are looking for that night: Serious Relationship, Something Casual, Just Friends. You can ask for more than one! 2. Mingle, Ask people out, Eat delicious food, drink & Dance! 3. Most importantly, have fun!
above: Annie Naggins, photo courtesy of Galway Against Homophobia
Thursday: 10th August
2pm - WeAct for Pride at Áras na nGael - WeAct will be highlighting the stories of protest and celebration from their charities and community groups and highlight efforts to make a positive impact and protect and advance LGBTQIA+ rights. For more information about this organisation please tap here.
3pm - Pride with Pets at Fr. Burke Park with Galway against Homophobia - This event is going to be adorable!!! Everyone is welcome to come along and bring their puppy and doggos for a fun get together in the midst of the Pride Week celebrations. Keep an eye out for more information on this event on Galway Against Homophobia's Instagram here.
Doors at 8pm - To Gaze Upon Us at Róisín Dubh - A healthy dose of humility and humanity through the musical lens of Galway’s loveable, gender-bending buddies: Steven Sharpe & Katie O’Connor. Equipped with Katie’s raspy lows and Steven’s oh-so-awesome alto in songs both sweet and sassy, they might just make your hips and heart harmoniously wiggle and jiggle. ‘To Gaze Upon Us’ were born out of the desire for a Yes Vote in the 2015 Marriage Equality Referendum. With two live albums and a German tour under their belt, Honey! They are living for all of it.
9.30pm - The Rocky Horror (Interactive) Picture Show at Pálás Cinema - One of the most notorious cult-movie experiences you can possibly have in a darkened theatre it's The Rocky Horror (Interactive) Picture Show. Your fabulous host will be on-hand to guide all the Virgins (and veterans!) through all the do’s-and-don’ts of this interactive show. Costumes and audience participation are highly encouraged (in other words: Prizes!) so let your freak flag fly! For more information about Pálás' Pride lineup please tap here.
above: To Gaze Upon Us, photo by Harry Bo Photography
Friday: 11th August
7pm - Cóisir Bród an Árais - Téamh Suas at Áras na nGael - Come along for a night of great music with some first class DJ's & Queens. Featuring music from Menace, SUPERGROSS & Bull Horris and performances from Ms. Liza Lott.
7pm - Rad Trad le Devon Diva at An Taibhdhearc - While it's currently sold out, we simply couldn't not speak about it! Devon Diva is one of Galway’s most sought after drag queens at the moment. She will be teaching some LGBT phrases and cúpla focal all through Irish, followed by some trad music as she plays a few tunes on the fiddle. Join them for some craic and of course, rad trad!
9pm - Mother at Róisín Dubh - From their weekly sold out shows in Dublin to their now infamous festival sets at Electric Picnic, Body & Soul and of course their own Pride Block Party the Mother DJs are finally returning for their annual queer rendezvous with the Róisín. Join Mother DJs Ruth Kavanagh and Ghostboy for an epic b2b set in the main room and DJ Kate Brennan-Harding upstairs all night long. Come have a dance with your Ma, Galway style.
above: Mother Club, photo by @babsdaly
Saturday: 12th August
12pm - Parade - After a sensational Pride parade last year, all the festivities are back once again this year and we can not wait to see the streets of Galway light up once more with a rainbow of colours and happy faces. It all kicks off from midday so be ready for a parade of music, dance, art and loads more…
1pm - Sober Paint & Sip with Babes without Beers at Fr. Burke Park - After the Pride Parade, come along to Father Burke Park for some sober fun. You’ll paint your own mini plant pot while sipping some alcohol-free prosecco. This is a great opportunity to meet and make friends with sober gays, gals and non-binary pals!
1pm - Cóisir Bród an Árais - An Ceann Mór at Áras na nGael - This is a jam packed afternoon of music, drag, dancers and more. They will have music from Menace, Laura O’Connell, Beansidhe, Kelly Bongo, D’anu, DJ Egg, Owen Rua, Hello Clitty & more to be announced. There will also be amazing Drag performances from Annie Naggins, Blondie, Leigh, Laryngitis, Victor Complex, Miss Liza Lott with more to be announced. The incredible Bombshell Ghuleh will be with them too to dance the day away!
1.30pm - Rainbow Umbrella Market at Massimo - Rainbow Umbrella Market are teaming up with Galway Pride to bring their famous rainbow market to Galway. Showcasing the stunning creations of Galway based queer artists, crafters, creators and makers, make sure you are there to purchase yourself an amazing gift or two.
2.30pm - Pride GASS at Róisín Dubh - Join them for a stylish day of dazzling entertainment, electrifying music, with a vibrant atmosphere. Start the festivities at 2:30pm in Róisín Dubh’s Pride Beer Garden with DJ John and a line-up of sensational performers including Annie Naggins, Blaq Coffee & Blondie. At 7pm, enjoy a spectacular drag show hosted by Donatella, Devon Diva & Boola Bus. Prepare for pride games, campy fun, and an evening filled with laughter. As the night progresses, DJ Gerry Moor takes the decks upstairs at 8:30pm, delivering irresistible beats that will keep you dancing all night long. The main event begins at 9pm, with an unforgettable drag show hosted by Galway’s Kiki and the GASS crew. Special guest performers will join our queens for a night of show-stopping performances. To top it all off: join DJ ‘lil Monica for a glittering UV party, where you can dance the night away under neon lights.
above: Galway Pride Festival's Parade 2022, photo courtesy of The Dáil Bar
Sunday: 13th August
12pm - Absolut Pride Brunch Club at Sophie's Rooftop at The Dean Galway - The Absolut Brunch is back for Pride, with the craziest, most fun brunch event in the city. Join them for a fun fueled, extra spectacular Pride Special Drag Brunch event with Drag Queens, Haus of Wig supported by local queens; Devon diva & Blaq Coffeee. Be prepared for a spectacular afternoon of drag performances, games, challenges, prizes, drinks, and plenty of audience participation. Come prepared for an absolutely fabulous afternoon of feel-good tunes, hosted by a stunning line up of gorgeous drag queens.
12pm - Pride Swim at Blackrock Tower - What better way to cool off from a week of hot events than with a community swim? Join them at Blackrock Tower from 12pm and have a wonderful time meeting and chatting with others before warming up again with a cuppa from one of the nearby cafés.
8pm - Sexy Tadhg at Galway Pride at Róisín Dubh - The Dirty Circus presents Sexy Tadhg's captivating melodies and bold stage presence which combines the dominating rock star aura of Queen with the soul and musicality of Erykah Badu and the eccentricities of Gaga, Elton John and influential drag artists such as Violet Chachki and Sasha Velour. Tadhg is closing out Galway Pride Week in the best way possible - with loads of fun and sexiness and in killer heels!
Feature photo courtesy Galway Community Pride
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