Pridefest 2025 Entertainment
MAIN STAGE LINEUP
Hosts:
Grace Wetpants & Malachi Lee
Stacy Max & Autumn Childress
Melanin Monroe & NellyFresh
PrideFest 2025 Opening with DJ Alta Tude
Welcome
Mr, Miss, and Mx VA Pride
Chapstix
Latin Ballet of Virginia
RVA King Collective, Haus of Envy
Teshia LeSane & Sound
Miss RVA Black Pride, Mr & Miss Godfrey’s, Godfrey’s Angels
Firework Award & Scholarship
What’s Our Age Again
Parade of Colors
DJ Alta Tude Dance Lapalooza
Mila Jam
Aja
Kevin Aviance
Live out Loud Ball with VA Ballroom Alliance
Saucy Santana
12:00 PM
12:30 PM
12:50 PM
1:20 PM
2:00 PM
2:25 PM
2:40 PM
3:10 PM
3:25 PM
3:50 PM
4:25 PM
4:40 PM
5:25 PM
5:55 PM
6:15 PM
6:45 PM
7:15 PM
Saucy Santana, an American rapper known for his viral hits on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube will headline VA Pridefest 2025 at Midtown Green on Saturday, Sept. 27.
Santana will join trans pop singer Mila Jam, club icon Kevin Aviance and RuPaul Drag Race star Aja as national acts who will entertain crowds at Virginia's largest LGBTQ festival.
Known for his bold attitude, tracks like “Walk Em Like a Dog” and “Material Girl” and his unapologetic queer bravado, Santana has lit up Pride stages across the country with performances that are fierce, fun and unforgettable. Following viral video challenges featuring Santana’s songs, he was nominated for The New Artist of 2022 at the People’s Choice Awards.
Singer, songwriter, dancer, actress and activist Mila Jam uses her platform to uplift trans visibility and spotlight queer justice. Richmond native Aviance topped charts with songs like “Din Da Da” and “Alive.” Beyoncé sampled one of Aviance’s biggest hits on her 2022 Renaissance album.
Local drag legends, bands and dance groups will round out a full day of diverse entertainment.
The “queer lady” pop/rock band the Chapstix will bring unique twists to well-known hit songs. The pop/punk cover band What’s Our Age Again will have the audience “scream-singing” along and Teshia LeSane and Sound will bring soulful, powerhouse vocals to the Pridefest stage.
“This year, the entertainment lineup will be a little saucy!” said Alvion Davenport, Virginia Pride’s Entertainment Lead and known as RVA’s LGBTQ Mayor. “People are in for a treat. Everything from country and emo covers, to jazz to ballroom, to an amazing cultural experience, be prepared to be entertained. We have an amazing display of local artists including live bands, stage hosts, drag queens and kings and audience interactive experiences.”
The Latin Ballet of Virginia and Virginia Ballroom Alliance will dazzle with diverse dance numbers as well.
RuPaul’s Drag Race star and alum Aja will take the Pridefest stage in the afternoon, alongside a lineup of regional drag talent. Mr., Miss. and Mx. VA Pride will also make appearances.
LGBTQ Youth, Their Friends and Families Welcome at Pridefest
For more than a decade, VA Pride has created unique, age-appropriate entertainment and activities for LGBTQ youth, their friends and families. This year, the Allianz Youth Pride Pavilion will be bigger than ever, featuring musical and theatre acts, interactive entertainment like lip sync and karaoke contests, and special youth-themed drag performances – all on its own big stage.
Community partners, including the Science Museum of Virginia, Side by Side, The Children's Museum of Richmond and He, She, Ze and We will have special programming and activities for queer and trans youth.
“Pridefest will be a space where everyone in the queer community, and our allies, can live out loud authentically as themselves,” said Amanda Blatnik, Virginia Pridefest chair. “This festival has something for everyone and we are excited to host this day of joy and celebration.”
Focus on Accessibility
Pridefest organizers say that one of the biggest benefits to the event’s new home at Midtown Green is that it’s more accessible. Accessibility features this year include:
ADA seating in front of the main stage
ASL interpretation on both the main and youth pride stages
Reserved handicapped parking
Mobility assistance throughout the venue, by request
VA Pride has also partnered with McShin Foundation to host a Sober Space for those who do not consume alcohol. The Sober Space will feature a craft mocktail bar and other non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, games and shaded seating.