DC Black Pride is back for Memorial Day Weekend, packing Washington with workshops, performances and late-night parties spread across the city. The Center for Black Equity is steering the official programming over the long weekend, while partner nights and ticketed pre-shows kick things off the night before. For both locals and visitors, the schedule blends cultural events, rooftop receptions and a comedy showcase headlined by D.C. comic Anthony Oakes.
According to the Center for Black Equity, the official DC Black Pride program runs May 22–25, 2026, with this year’s theme billed as “New Black Renaissance.” The group’s host-hotel programming includes a lineup of workshops, panels and community forums that center Black LGBTQIA+ artists, healers and organizers.
Ticketed partner events begin Thursday, May 21, including a “DC Black Pride Comedy Show” where Anthony Oakes will workshop a new hour focused on addiction, incarceration, recovery and redemption. Eventbrite lists Apple Brown Betty, TJ So Silly, Howl Cooper and Patrice Deveaux among the performers, with general admission tickets coming in at roughly $28.50.
Lineup And Official Announcements
A theme-reveal event at Union Stage named Durand Bernarr as this year’s headliner and spotlighted performers including Bang Garcon, Be Steadwell, Jay Columbus, Bennu Byrd, Rue Pratt and Akeem Woods. The Washington Blade covered the announcement and the official performer lineup released by the Center for Black Equity.
Where To Go And What To Expect
Expect the weekend to flow between the host-hotel hub and D.C.’s nightlife corridors, with everything from Rainbow Row vendor markets and the Heritage Awards to pool parties and late-night rooftop events in the mix. Out x Out maps out the festival rhythm, with early arrivals and receptions on Thursday, main daytime activations on Saturday and a Pride-in-the-Park finale on Memorial Day Monday…