It's officially that special time of year in CU: Pridefest! We've already had a few lovely events from our friends at Uniting Pride, but please go check out more of the Pridefest programming going on this week, as well as all the other awesome queer events from our local queer venues! And visit the Lavender booth this Saturday, we'll be over on Race St, across from the Rose Bowl!

Any events we missed? DM us @thelavendernewsletter on Insta or email us at thelavendernewsletter@gmail.com. And check out our updated Queer Events Page to know about standing events and what's coming up in the next few weeks <3

Tuesday (10/13)

• Tarot Reading @ Amy's
  • Location: Amy's Place, 120 n First Street, Champaign
  • Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned, locally-owned queer bar in Champaign, and is currently the only LGBTQ+ bar in CU.
  • Details: Every Tuesday of October, tarot reader Mellie Lia will be available for affordable tarot readings for those seeking "a safe space for when you need clarity, healing, or just someone to listen."
• Nightshade - Goth & Industrial Night
  • Location: Amy's Place, 120 n First Street, Champaign
  • Time: 9:00 pm - 1:00 am
  • Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned, locally-owned queer bar in Champaign, and is currently the only LGBTQ+ bar in CU.
  • Details: Join DJ Baub Danger for weekly goth & industrial night at Amy's place!

Wednesday (10/14)

• The Art of Joy (Pridefest Event)
  • Location: The Royer House, 801 W. Oregon Street, Urbana
  • Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Hosted by: Uniting Pride is the lead LGBTQ+ center for East Central Illinois, offering queer events, support groups, and resources for queer community members and allies.
  • Details: Celebrate Pride Fest Week through creativity, connection, and the powerful act of sharing what brings us joy. Each participant will create a small, personal image inspired by the people, places, memories, identities, and experiences that make their life brighter. Every individual creation will then be brought together to form one vibrant, unified work of art — honoring the many different stories and expressions of joy that make our LGBTQIA2S+ community so strong and beautiful. No artistic experience is needed. Simply bring your imagination, your perspective, and something that makes you smile. Space is limited, register here.

Thursday (10/15)

• Living History with Queer Elders (Pridefest Event)
  • Location: Urbana Free Library, 210 w Green St, Urbana
  • Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Hosted by: Uniting Pride is the lead LGBTQ+ center for East Central Illinois, offering queer events, support groups, and resources for queer community members and allies.
  • Details: Join us at the Urbana Free Library for the 4th Living History event with LGBTQ+ elders! Our elders will sit at stations around the space and be ready to tell their stories, answer questions, and engage across generations to preserve this deeply important component of queer life.
• Tavern of Terrors Drag Variety Night
  • Location: Parcadia, 302 n Broadway Avenue, Urbana
  • Time: Doors at 9:15 pm, Show at 10:00 pm
  • Hosted by: Rotting Void is a local drag artist and event organizer. Parcadia is an indoor magical minigolf tavern in Downtown Urbana.
  • Details: A pride event hosted by Rotting Void! 21+ only! King Parthur has asked for your aid in banishing these ghouls back to their nether realms. So, who ya gonna call? Rotting Void of course! They are back again under the mighty command of their dragon mistress to show these monsters a party of an afterlife to release these lost souls and they need YOU to help free them. Join us on October 15th for a show full of spectacular drag, drinks, and community at Parcadia Mini Golf tavern. Doors open at 9:15pm and show starts at 10pm. Staring: Rotting Void, Spank Knightly, Thom Foolery, Dr. Morgan Failure, and special guest Baby Gorgeous! Buy tickets here.

Friday (10/16)

• October 16 - Celebrating Pride: 50+ Years of LGBTQ History at Illinois (Pridefest Event)
  • Location: Online, Register here
  • Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
  • Hosted by: Larry Cohen and Curtis McKay (members of the leadership board, Illinois Pride Alumni Network), Siobhan B Somerville (Associate Professor, English / Gender & Women’s Studies) and Ellen D. Swain (professor and archivist for student life and culture, University Library). Uniting Pride is the lead LGBTQ+ center for East Central Illinois, offering queer events, support groups, and resources for queer community members and allies.
  • Details: October is LGBTQ History Month! The University of Illinois Library and the University of Illinois Pride Alumni Network co-present this LGBTQ History Month webinar during the week of Champaign-Urbana Pride Fest 2026. The Gay Illini was formed, and became an official Registered Student Organization at the University, in 1975. The University of Illinois Pride Alumni Network launched in 2025 as an affinity group of the U. of I. Alumni Association. Join us for a webinar that will look back on 50 years of community, culture, and activism, both on campus and in the local community.
• October 16 - Youth & Family Party
  • Location: Phillips Rec Center, 505 w Stoughton, Urbana
  • Time: 3:30 pm - 6:00 pm
  • Hosted by: The Phillips Recreation Center is one of the Urbana Park Districts local community event spaces. Uniting Pride is the lead LGBTQ+ center for East Central Illinois, offering queer events, support groups, and resources for queer community members and allies.
• Details: Join Uniting Pride and the Urbana Park District for an incredible event focused on families, teens, and littles! The Urbana Park District will present a Pride themed Teen Hangout Zone inside the facility, while we have games, crafts, food, and music outside designed for youth and families of all ages!
• LGBTQ+ Speed Dating/Friending
  • Location: Amy's Place, 120 N First St, Champaign
  • Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
  • Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned, locally-owned queer bar in Champaign, and is currently the only LGBTQ+ bar in CU.
  • Details: Visit Amy's Place for an energetic evening of 1-on-1 chats during this speed friending and dating session!
• GayBar's Pre-Pride Party
  • Location: Amy's Place, 120 N First St, Champaign
  • Time: 9:00 pm - 2:00 am
  • Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned, locally-owned queer bar in Champaign, and is currently the only LGBTQ+ bar in CU. GayBar is a CU-based traveling queer party space. 
  • Details: Celebrate Pridefest with Gaybar at Amy's Place! Featuring gogo dancer and music by DJs A-Deity, Kalamaki, and Trava. 19+ $5 Cover

Saturday (10/17)

• Pride Nature Walk
  • Location: Busey Woods, 1505 n Broadway Avenue, Urbana
  • Time: 9:30 am - 11:00 am
  • Hosted by: Urbana Park District provides community events and recreation spaces across Urbana. Uniting Pride is the lead LGBTQ+ center for East Central Illinois, offering queer events, support groups, and resources for queer community members and allies.  
  • Details: As we celebrate Pride, the Urbana Park District invites you to explore the Woods! Come learn at an inclusive event for all ages and all identities, about how animals, plants, and fungi all showcase their own identities!
• Pridefest Parade and Fair (Pridefest Event)
  • Location: Downtown Urbana
  • Time: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Hosted by: Uniting Pride is the lead LGBTQ+ center for East Central Illinois, offering queer events, support groups, and resources for queer community members and allies.  
  • Details: Join us for the signature Pride Fest programming — our Parade & Fair! We take over downtown Urbana once again featuring local businesses and artists, community resources, entertainment, games, crafts, food, and fun! Parade steps off at 1pm, Fair is from 1pm–5pm.
• Pridefest Drag Extravaganza (Pridefest Event)
  • Location: The City Center, 505 S Chestnut, Champaign
  • Time: 7:30 pm for VIP, 9:00 pm for General Admission
  • Hosted by: Uniting Pride is the lead LGBTQ+ center for East Central Illinois, offering queer events, support groups, and resources for queer community members and allies.
  • Details: We’re bringing you drag icon Jorgeous (RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14, All Stars 9, All Stars 10 Runner Up)! Plus some of CU’s fiercest local legends: Spank Knightly, Ceduxion Carrington, Daéshaun Carrington, and Herra Winn. Tickets are live now and they will not last — so get yours before they’re gone! 19+
• All Year Is Pride Drag Show
  • Location: Amy's Place, 120 N First St, Champaign
  • Time: 9:00 pm
  • Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned, locally-owned queer bar in Champaign, and is currently the only LGBTQ+ bar in CU.
  • Details: Celebrate Pride in CU with Amy's Place! Hosted by Kelasia Karmikal and featuring the drag talents of Calexus, Gena, Mona, & Miss Jade.

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