Get ready for Winter PrideFest

Since 2018, OUT Central Oregon (our amazing local advocacy group) has hosted Winter PrideFest to celebrate inclusivity and shared fondness for the outdoors. The event drew 2,400 participants in 2025 for a weekend of fun, sparkling, winter activities.

The 2026 PrideFest takes place March 5 – 8 and boasts a great array of events. Thursday night starts at UPP Liquids for a kick-off party complete with DJs, dancing, and oh yes, a drag show. And from there, the weekend just keeps getting hotter.

On Friday, head up to Mt. Bachelor for daytime laps. The brighter the outfit, the better. At night, get ready for DJ’s and dancing at the free Pink Party!!! starting at 5 p.m. over at the Dogwood at The Pine Shed. Or, for some laugh-out-loud fun, head over to the Tower Theatre for Queer Comedy Night (21+) from 8 p.m. – 10 p.m. The lineup includes trans comedian and activist Ren Q., as well as rising comics Johana Coca and Shanan Kelley. The evening also features burlesque performances by Angelique DeVil, adding an extra dose of sparkle to your night.

The weekend keeps going at Mt. Bachelor with Saturday pride runs. Grab your crew for the signature Gay Ski Run, where rainbow gear earns extra style points. At the West Village Lodge from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m., celebrate snow and slopes with an all-ages apres-ski dance party. Back in Bend, the Snow Ball: The White Party takes over Midtown Ballroom and Domino Room (21+) from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. Show up in your fiercest white for a blizzard of dance and drag with Miz Cracker, Tila Pia, Riley Burrows, Heavy Cream, and more. 

Wrap up the festivities on Sunday with Not’cho Grandma’s Bingo at 10 a.m. at Silver Moon Brewing, with another round at noon for those hitting the snooze button. It’s boisterous, welcoming, and full of laughs, with every game supporting Winter PrideFest.

Many of these events sell out, so make sure to snag tickets in advance on their website. Bend hotels can also book up quickly, so reserve your nights at the Waypoint Hotel (official event sponsor), or search for vacation rentals and other comfortable, easy places to stay.

Check out Queer Climb Night

At Circuit Bouldering Gym, they’re celebrating Pride on the regular with their monthly Queer Climb Night. This fun-filled evening is on the first Tuesday of each month from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Participants get 50 percent off day passes, plus free shoe rentals. 

Bend Rock Gym also hosts a monthly LGBTQ+ meet-up on the second Wednesday of each month from 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. It’s an easygoing space to meet, climb, and connect with fellow LGBTQ+ community members and allies.

Don’t worry if you’ve never tried climbing before. The Circuit and Bend Rock Gym are great places to learn. Mark your calendars and get ready for evenings of climbing and connecting.

Grab a live souvenir at Somewhere That’s Green

One of the coolest concepts for a business—a combination plant shop and theatrical event space—lives in Midtown Bend, minutes from downtown. Somewhere That’s Green is a magical oasis filled with lush greenery and some of the cutest pots and plant accessories you’ll find anywhere. Even if you’re not in the market for a plant, a ten minute stroll through this shop will bring your blood pressure down faster than you can say “ahhhh…”

One of the best things about this beautiful queer-owned space is how friendly and knowledgeable the staff is. They have answers for any question you might have about plants, and they’ll pot them for free when you purchase them here. They also offer a fun variety of workshops and classes, like building terrariums and mushroom cultivation.

Right next door, the Greenhouse Cabaret transforms this plant-filled oasis into something entirely different after hours. The tiny black box theater hosts everything from drag and live music to original performances and one-of-a-kind shows. It’s intimate, creative, and bursting with big talent. Seating is limited and tickets don’t last long, so buy them in advance.

A Golden Soul in Downtown Bend

When you’re ready for your caffeine fix, head over to Almadorada Coffee in downtown Bend. This QTBIPOC-owned café serves up local Smith Rock Coffee alongside drinks like Café de Olla, a cinnamon-spiced Mexican coffee served in a clay pot, and deliciously filling bites inspired by Mexican and Indigenous flavors. Almadorada means “golden soul” in Spanish and is a nod to the matriarchs who shaped the owners’ lives, who are creating a welcoming space for the LGBTQ+ community and other historically marginalized groups.

Buy breakfast or lunch at Bo’s

While Bo’s was once known mostly as a falafel bar, their menu is now all about bagels, and it’s all delicious! Vegetarians and vegans will find plenty to pick from at Bo’s, but meat eaters will love their house-made sausage and house-cured maple bacon. They also do breakfast until closing time. From bagel sandwiches to swoon-worthy hashbrowns topped with goodies like spiced apple compote or tasty Israeli salad, you’ll fill your belly and feel good about supporting a queer-owned business. 

Sip, snack, and dance

The Dogwood at The Pine Shed in Bend’s Central District stirs up fantastic cocktails and weekend DJ dance parties. Grab a craft cocktail or local brew and head to the outdoor courtyard, where rotating food trucks serve up flavors from Dominican favorites like crispy chicharrón to Greek mains like loaded gyros. On Friday and Saturday nights, DJs take over with eclectic sets to Latin dance beats. Keep an eye out on their calendar for events like drag bingo and Okay Karaoke on Sundays. Whether you’re meeting friends for a pre-dinner Oaxacan Speedball with smoky mezcal or closing out the night on the dance floor, it’s a welcoming and inclusive space where everyone’s invited.

Score a great new ‘do

You know the old cliché about barbershops being a gathering place where folks show up to see friends as much as they do for a haircut? That’s the vibe they’ve created at Clover Cuts Barbershop. This cool space on Greenwood strives to be an inclusive meeting place where individuals can connect, share stories, and build relationships. They also offer everything from buzz cuts to beard trims to skin fades with a complimentary hot towel neck shave.

And even if you have long hair, they’ve got skills to take your ‘do to the next level as well. They even cut kids’ hair in this family-friendly, inclusive, queer-owned shop staffed by some of the nicest folks you’ll meet.

Find workspace and community at The Haven

Way more than just a co-working center, The Haven is your source for remote office space, meeting rooms, classes, or a unique venue for fundraisers and corporate retreats with breathtaking views of the Deschutes River. 

The people behind The Haven take pride in being a space to connect with others, collaborate, and get creative. They’re also deeply devoted to supporting women, people of color, LGBTQ+ folks, people with disabilities, and others from historically marginalized communities. Day passes, punch cards or even long-term space is available.

Find more queer-owned businesses in Bend

Bend’s growth over the years has meant something pretty great: There are far more queer-owned shops, restaurants, bars, food carts, and service providers than we could ever fit into one article. The list keeps growing, which means there’s always more to discover.

Head to your favorite app store and download Everywhere is Queer. From food to hypnotherapy, the app will help you find just about any service you’re seeking, making it easy to discover welcoming, queer-owned spaces to shop, connect, eat, and learn all over the world—even in your own neighborhood.