PHOENIX — Live entertainment like The Lady Gaga Tribute and Chris Pierce will be headlining a weekend full of inclusive fun in downtown Phoenix at the Rainbows Festival.
On Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Heritage Square will be celebrating the greater LGBTQ+ community with live music and more than 150 local food and exhibit vendors.
The Rainbows Festival, the second largest Pride event in the state, is free to the public and dog-friendly.
An expected 20,000 spectators will be in attendance at the 22nd edition of Rainbows Festival, according to a Friday press release.
Entertainment lineup at Phoenix Rainbows Festival
The Lady Gaga Tribute will be taking the main stage at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, while R&B solo artist Chris Pierce will make his appearance at 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Here is the full list of main stage entertainers at the festival:
Saturday, April 5
- 10 a.m. – DJ Shorty, Cheer Arizona and Reina C. After Dark
- 11 a.m. – Agra Royalty Revue
- Noon – CeCe TV
- 1 p.m. – Kiki (featuring Aubrey Ghalichi)
- 2 p.m. – Mandy Slate
- 3 p.m. – Femme Shui
- 4:30 p.m. – The Lady Gaga Tribute
Sunday, April 6
- 10 a.m. – DJ Aja Cruz and Brandon McGill Body Painting
- 11 a.m. – Phoenix Pride Royalty Hour (performances by Princess Prozac and Miss Gay Arizona America)
- 12:15 p.m. – Imperial Court of Arizona
- 1:15 p.m. – Arrlo
- 1:50 p.m. – Ruby’s Latin Hour
- 3 p.m. – That’s So Rosie
- 4 p.m. – Visionaries X
- 5 p.m. – Chris Pierce
There will also be two daily lineups of entertainers taking the BeatBox Community Stage, featuring the Junior Pride Pageant at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Voltage at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Last year, British vocalist and actress Luciana and drag performer Lady Bunny were headlining acts.
Kickoff party, late-night fun during Rainbows Festival
From 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday into early Saturday morning, the nearby Boycott Bar at 7th Avenue and Glenrosa Avenue will be kickstarting the Rainbow Festival with a dance party headlined by CRUMS and other DJs. The entry fee is $26 at the door with a portion of the proceeds going toward the Phoenix Pride Community Foundation.
Then, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday into Sunday morning, guests ages 21 and older can enjoy Supernova, the official afterparty of the Rainbows Festival with live music by DJ Erik Vilar and a laser show. Like the whole weekend event, the afterparty is free admission.
Where can I park?
Guests at the Rainbows Festivals have several parking options this weekend.
The most cost-friendly option is $5 per day at the Jefferson Street Garage located at 3rd and Jefferson streets, whereas guests can pay $15 to park at the Heritage Square Garage (5th and Monroe streets) and the Phoenix Convention Center East Garage (6th and Washington streets).
If you are wanting to save gas getting there, the Valley Metro light rail can transport eastbound riders to nearby 3rd and Jefferson streets and westbound riders to 3rd and Washington.
