Rhode Island Pride

Rhode Island Pride's claim to fame is its Illuminated Night Parade: floats and marchers lit up with LEDs, stepping off after dark through downtown Providence. It's one of very few Pride parades in the United States held at night, and it's the reason to come.

Before the parade comes PrideFest, a free street festival at District Park on Peck Street, running from late morning to early evening with vendors, stages, a kids' zone and a 21-plus bar tent. A $5 donation at the gate is suggested. The parade starts around 8 p.m. at Empire and Washington streets; the best viewing is along Dorrance, Washington and Weybosset. Those streets close, so don't park on them.