River City Pride Festival
About This Event
River City Pride Festival is a one-day LGBTQ+ event on the Peoria Riverfront. Peoria Proud, a local advocacy group founded in 2012, runs it. Organisers claim it’s Central Illinois’ largest LGBTQ+ celebration.
It started in Glen Oak Park in 2019. The pandemic forced it online. In 2022, it moved to the riverfront and drew 5,000 people. By 2023, the riverfront footprint more than doubled, adding a second stage and roughly 100 vendors.
The 2026 edition ran from 10am to 10pm on Saturday, 18 July. Live drag and music occupied two stages. Vendor and community-resource booths lined the perimeter, alongside art installations and a Hope Wall. It’s not free. Tickets cost $5 in advance or $10 at the gate. “Donated love tickets” allowed those who couldn’t pay to enter. A new Artist Row offered emerging artists cheap booth space.
Kennedy Davenport and Nini Coco headlined the drag lineup. Co-chair Cassie Lucchesi told 25News that the 2025 festival drew about 7,300 attendees. The 2027 date hadn’t been announced when we checked.
Where to stay during River City Pride Festival
via Stay22Schedule & Sub-Events
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Check the official website for the latest programme.
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River City Pride Festival
