Although the Wolverine State has its own Michigan Gay Pride in the capital city of Lansing in mid-June, the largest city in the region, Detroit hosts its own well-attended Motor City Pride in early June. The festival had in recent years taken place in the gay-popular suburb of Ferndale, but now Motor City Pride is at downtown Detroit's Hart Plaza (at the junction of Woodward Ave. and Jefferson Ave., right by the city's riverfront), and expanded from one to two full days. The dates of Motor City Pride are June 8 and 9, 2013.
Note that Detroit also has a well-attended Black Pride celebration, Hotter Than July, held in late July.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Detroit during Gay Pride.
Motor City Pride weekend comprises a number of events and activities (here's a full list). The festival runs on Saturday from 2 pm until 10 pm, and then again on Sunday from noon until 8 pm. Sunday, is also the day of the Detroit Motor City Gay Pride Parade, which takes place at 11 am, right before the festival. The route is along Griswold Street south from Fort to Jefferson - here's a map of the festival grounds, where the parade ends, at Dodge Fountain near the riverfront.
There will be dance pavilions at the festival, led by a number of prominent DJs, and on the Main Pride Stage and the Festival Stage, a variety of performers will entertain the crowds. Check the Motor City Pride Entertainment page for details - performers this year Mz Jonz, Blu Cantrel, JaRay, Ana Matronic, Gay Marvine, Alexis, and many more.
Additionally, numerous gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride. Check local gay papers, such as Metra Magazine and Between The Lines/Pride Source for details. Also take a look at the helpful travel site produced by the city's official tourism organization, the Detroit CVB.
