Pridefest: June 6-8, 2025
Welcome to Capital City Pride’s 46th PrideFest! This year we come together to do all the things that Pride is intended to be: celebration, protest, cultural festival, and more. Capital City Pride was born when a group of courageous people marched from the Iowa State Capitol to the Blazing Saddle in the East Village. This protest march evokes images of the origins of Pride Festivals that were rooted in the demand for the recognition of rights for queer and trans folks. Our 2025 PrideFest will be filled with a spirit of queer joy, liberation, and protest as we continue to ignite change in our community and celebrate our rainbow of diversity.
2025 PrideFest Headliners
2025 Pride Guide Coming in May
2025 PrideFest Schedule
Use the + signs below to view each portion of the PrideFest Schedule.
Friday, June 6
5:00pm – 11:00pm Festival Open
5:00pm – 9:00pm Booths and Vendors Open
5:00pm – 9:00pm ADA Station Open
5:00pm – 11:00pm Iowa IV Main Stage Acts Performing
5:00pm – 7:30pm Community Stage Acts Performing
7:30pm – 11:00pm Silent Disco | Community Stage
5:00pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
5:00pm TBA | Community Stage
6:15pm TBA | Community Stage
6:30pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
6:45pm TBA | Community Stage
7:30pm Silent Disco | Community Stage
7:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
8:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
9:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
Saturday, June 7
6:30am PrideStride 5k Registration Opens | Brenton Skating Plaza
8:00am – 9:30am PrideStride 5K | Brenton Skating Plaza [REGISTER]
9:30am – 11:00am Pet Pageant | Community Stage [REGISTER]
10:00am – 7:00pm Festival Booths and Zones Open
10:00am – 6:00pm ADA Station Open
10:30am – Noon Drag Queen Storytime (every 30 minutes) | At Storyhouse Books & Raygun
11:00am – Noon Zoo to You Animals from Blank Park Zoo | GreenState Credit Union Community Stage
Noon – 11:00pm Iowa IV Main Stage Acts Performing
1:00pm – 8:30pm Community Stage Acts Performing
9:30am – 11:00am Pet Pageant | Community Stage
11:00am – Noon Zoo to You – Blank Park Zoo | Community Stage
Noon TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
1:00pm TBA | Community Stage
1:30pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
2:15pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
2:15pm TBA | Community Stage
2:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
3:15pm TBA | Community Stage
3:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
4:30pm TBA | Community Stage
4:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
5:15pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
5:45pm TBAl | Community Stage
6:00pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
6:30pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
7:00pm TBA | Community Stage
7:15pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
7:30pm TBA | Community Stage
7:45pm CCP Pageant Winners | Main Stage
8:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
9:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
11:00pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
Special Family Events Outside Zone
9:30am – 11:00am Pet Parade | Community Stage
11:00am – Noon Zoo to You – Blank Park Zoo Show | Community Stage
10:30am – Noon Drag Queen Storytime (every 30-minutes) | Storyhouse Book Pub & Raygun
Family & Youth Zone Schedule
11:00am – 4:00pm Family & Youth Zone Active
11:00am – 4:00pm Little Rainbow Maze Challenge
Specific events to be announced soon!
11:00am – 5:00pm Teen Zone Active
10:00am – 5:00pm Des Moines Public Library
11:00am – 5:00pm Teen Activities
11:00am – 5:00pm Teen Lounge and Hangout | UNI & DMACC
11:00am – 5:00pm Selfie Station | DMACC
11:00am – 5:00pm Corn Hole and Other Games
11:00am – 4:00pm Learn to Rock, Run, and Record | Girls Rock!
2:00pm – 3:00pm Drag Queen Makeover Tutorial
More programs to be announced soon!
10:00am – 5:00pm Health & Wellness Zone Active
8:00am – 9:30am CCP Pride Stride 5K at the Brenton Skating Plaza | Presented by DLL
9:00am – 9:00pm Hydrating IV Infusions and Injections | Iowa IV
Noon – 5:00pm Dunk Tank | Pride Sports League
Noon – 6:00pm Polk County Health Department
Noon – 6:00pm Broadlawns Medical Center
2:00pm – 4:00pm Lifting Competition | Pride Fitness Company
9:30am – 11:00am Pet Pageant | Community Stage
11:00am – Noon Zoo to You – Blank Park Zoo Show | Community Stage
11:30am – 1:00pm Meet the Thera-pets from Animal Rescue League | Family and Youth Zone
9:30am – Noon Animal Rescue League Adoptable Pets | Pet Zone
Sunday, June 8
10:00am – 5:00pm Festival Open
10:00am – 5:00pm Booths and Vendors Open
10:00am – 3:00pm ADA Station Open
9:00am – 10:00am Pride Yoga | Family and Youth Zone
10:00am – 11:00am Pride Ecumenical Worship Service | Iowa IV Main Stage
10:00am – 11:00am Cardio Dance | Community Stage
Noon – 1:30pm Capital City Pride Parade Presented by Veridian Credit Union | E. Grand Avenue
3:00pm Parade Winners Announced | Pride Main Stage
3:15pm Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus | Iowa IV Main Stage
3:45pm TBA | Iowa IV Main Stage
Complete a registration form for 2025 PrideFest: Entertainment Application, Ms. Mr. Mx. Pageant, PrideFest Parade, Booths, Pet Parade and 5K PrideStride.
