Akron

Akron's LGBTQ+ scene centers on Highland Square, an artistic, gay-friendly neighborhood with gay-owned bars and cafés. The Interbelt Nite Club and Square Nightclub are mainstays for drag, DJ sets, and themed nights, and the city has a history of electing openly gay local officials.

An overnight glow-in-the-dark backyard campout featuring a hibachi dinner, glow-in-the-dark scavenger hunt, outdoor movie night, burning ceremony, sleepover in illuminated tents, and a continental breakfast. The event celebrates community, fun, and self-expression, with activities starting at 7 PM on August 15, 2026, at The Liquid Library in Cleveland, OH.

The Liquid Library

Sapphic Summer Nights

Come by for our monthly community dinner and bingo test run. Free food, family, and plenty of bingo fun. Also featuring a cash giveaway.

652 W. Exchange Street

Community Dinner and Bingo Test Run

Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center

A community dinner and bingo event with free food, family-friendly fun, and a cash giveaway.

The Akron Pride Festival 5K (AP 5K) takes place on August 21, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM in downtown Akron, Ohio. Participants can enjoy a scenic run or walk through Akron's streets and historic downtown area, celebrating love and acceptance. The event welcomes all abilities and backgrounds, offering in-person and virtual participation options. Registration includes a pride finisher medal and a T-shirt for all registrants, with sizes guaranteed for those registering by August 1. Packet pickup is scheduled for August 20 at the Akron Art Museum, with race day activities on August 21 at Main Street. Awards are given to top finishers in various categories, and the event supports Akron's LGBTQ+ community and the Akron Promise City Series. Additional information and registration are available on the race website.

Canal Place

Akron Pride 5K

The 2026 Akron Pride Festival 5K is a scenic run and walk event taking place on August 21, 2026, at 6:30 PM at Canal Place in Akron, Ohio. It is part of the Akron Promise City Series and celebrates Akron's 200th anniversary, promoting love and acceptance within the LGBTQ+ community. Participants can register online, with fees increasing closer to the event date, and receive a T-shirt upon registration. The event includes packet pick-up at the Akron Art Museum on August 20, and race day activities with awards for top finishers in various categories.

Bounce Innovation Hub

2026 Akron Pride Festival 5K

The Akron Pride Festival and Equity March 2026 will take place on August 22, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm in Downtown Akron on Main Street. The event features local and national entertainers, exhibitors, an interactive children's area, food trucks, and more. The Equity March registration opens on May 15, 2026. Attendees can enjoy a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride with various activities and community engagement opportunities.

Downtown Akron

Akron Pride Festival and Equity March 2026

The Akron Pride Festival & Equity March 2026 is a celebration of diversity and equality, taking place on August 22, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm in Downtown Akron on Main Street. The event features local and national entertainers, exhibitors, interactive children's activities, and a march promoting LGBTQ+ pride and community unity. It aims to affirm the LGBTQ+ community and its allies through festivities and advocacy.

Akron Pride Festival & Equity March

An annual festival celebrating the BIPOC and LGBTQ+ community featuring games, music, and various activities. The event takes place at The Event Stop in Beachwood, Ohio, on Saturday, August 22, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Highlights include family-friendly activities, drag performances, and live music on the main stage.

The Event Stop

Get Lifted Fest 2k26: Rhythm, Roots, & Resources

Celebration and community gathering for Akron Pride.

AkronFCC

LGBTQ+ Community Night - August 22, 2026

First Congregational Church of Akron UCC

An open networking event organized by Rainbow UA Business Group, aimed at LGBTQIA+ owned or affirming businesses in Columbus. The event provides a free platform for local businesses to connect with each other and the community. It is scheduled for Thursday, August 27, 2026, from 09:00 to 10:00 at Bitty & Beau's Coffee, Columbus, Ohio.

Bitty & Beau's Coffee

Rainbow UA Business Group - Open Networking

Join the Trans Joy Akron community in celebrating everyone's birthday with a festive event featuring cupcakes, party games, goody bags, and fun party themes. The celebration takes place on August 28th from 6-8 pm at the Bayard Rustin Center, located at 652 W. Exchange Street in Akron. This event is a joyful gathering to connect, have fun, and embrace trans joy.

Bayard Rustin Center

Trans Joy Akron Birthday Party

Trans Joy Akron

Theatre on Tap presents a drag twist on Shakespeare's classic "Comedy of Errors," set in Ephesus where drag queens and kings cause confusion and hilarity. The event features a 2-hour and 30-minute in-person performance for audiences aged 21 and over, held at Akronym Brewing, 58 East Market Street, Akron, OH. Doors open at 6:30 PM, with the show starting at 7:30 PM. Free parking is available, and there are no refunds.

Akronym Brewing

The Comedy of Errors: An Inaugural "Shakespeare is a Drag" Performance

Theatre on Tap

Join Shelby, Dinky, and Dandy for a community dog walk in Griggs Park.

Griggs Park

PAWS: Pet Adventure Walk & Social club

A vibrant night featuring drag, burlesque, and live singing performances by 15 acts from across the country, held at The Auricle Venue & Bar in Canton, Ohio. The event includes rock and alternative music, with doors opening at 7 PM and the show starting at 8 PM. Tickets are available on Eventbrite: presale GA $15, VIP $25.

The Auricle Venue & Bar

AMP'D Drag And Burlesque Festival

The Ryot Tour featuring Icons will take place on September 28, 2026, from 19:00 to 23:00. The event includes performances by notable artists such as Adore Delano, Kylie Love, Willam, Coco Montrese, Sasha Allen, and Discord Addams, hosted by Cassie Nova. The event is part of a series with multiple dates across various cities, but this specific date is in Akron. The event will feature live music and a live band. For more details and tickets, visit the event page.

Musica

Ryot Tour: Icons

An in-person event celebrating LGBTQ+ resilience and resistance in Akron, featuring dinner, community gathering, and a keynote address by Kelley Robinson, President of the Human Rights Campaign. The event supports the Bayard Rustin LGBTQ+ Resource Center's initiatives, including testing, mental health referrals, and community space. Held at The Bank at East End, Akron, on October 9, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM.

House Three Thirty

Bayard's Table: A Fall Fundraiser

Akron AIDS Collaborative

An exciting bingo night featuring Lady Inferno & Jade X with lively performances and prizes.

Cleveland · crobar

Bingorama with Lady Inferno & Jade X

Uncle Lulu

A queer leather-centric dance party creating a safe space to let go and celebrate, featuring music spun by DJ Silver Nova. The event runs from 9 PM to 2 AM on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at Backdoor, located at 271 South Main St., Akron, OH. Tickets are available via Eventbrite.

LGBTQ+ Events in Akron

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Sapphic Summer Nights

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Sapphic Summer Nights

Take Akron's queer scene with you