One of the first signs of summer, PrideFest today revealed the headlining acts – from nationally recognized names to local legends – coming to Henry Maier Festival Park from June 1-3 this year. 

Celebrating its 35th anniversary and 26th year on the lakefront at Henry Maier Festival Park, the three-day festival will feature several acts and performers across its five stages: the SKYYLine Main Stage, the Dance Pavilion, The Intersection Stage, the Children's Stage and the Stonewall Stage & History Exhibit. Acts this year range from "RuPaul's Drag Race" veterans to "I Love You Always Forever" and "Somebody Loves You" singer Betty Who and the festival's first all-female headliner lineup at the Dance Pavilion thanks to DJ Shawna, J. Worra and DJ DRiPSweat. 

This year's festival will also feature a slight change to some of the performance time slots, allowing two performers to take the stage separately during the same hour-long slot rather than just one claiming the entire hour. The result is almost a 50 percent increase in acts hitting PrideFest's stages this year, according to festival organizers, as well as a chance to spotlight even more talent – particularly local acts.

“An aspect of our festival that I genuinely love (and appreciate) is how our entertainment continues to evolve and change year after year,” said Wes Shaver, Milwaukee Pride President and CEO, in a release. "Booking entertainment continues to come with all new sets of challenges, but that didn’t stop us from putting together a fun, energetic and dynamic lineup. It may have slowed some things down at times, but I’m proud of the result and the hard work of our entertainment team – notably Mark Gerber, Director of Entertainment."

Here's the headliner lineup announced today by PrideFest: 

Thursday, June 1

• Thursday hosts: Melee the Queen and Dora Diamond

Friday, June 2

• Friday hosts: Melee the Queen, Stacy Layne Matthews and Malaiya Marvel
• Betty Who
• Cazwell
• DJ Shawna
• Totally Neon
• Viva Carnival

Saturday, June 3

• Saturday hosts: Melee the Queen and Montell Infiniti Ross
• Peaches
• Bright Light, Bright Light
• Big Dipper
• J. Worra
• Murray the Magician

“2023 marks my 12th festival season with PrideFest and the festival continues to change for the better; we are growing and able to offer so much more to our festival guests. All age groups, all areas of interest and even families and children, more than ever,” said Mark Gerber, PrideFest Director of Entertainment and Milwaukee Pride board member, in a release. "We reach for the stars as a team and to see the smiling faces on the patrons is an amazing feeling, that alone makes the year-round effort so worth it."

In addition to its lineup of performances, PrideFest 2023 will feature its annual firework show over Lake Michigan, an ice cream social on Saturday, Throwback Thursday and Flashback Friday discount pricing on MolsonCoors products in honor of the fest's first year at the lakefront park in 1996, and a food drive and 50/50 raffle – both to benefit VIVENT Health. 

For more details and updates about PrideFest performers, presentations, events and specials, stay tuned to PrideFest's website as well as to OnMilwaukee. And here's to the impending start of summer festival season and the Great Milwaukee Summer!