June 12, 2024 marks the 8-year anniversary of the tragic Pulse Nightclub shooting, a day that devastated—and united—the Orlando community. In honor of the 49 lives lost and those affected by the Pulse tragedy, we’ve put together this list of Pulse memorial events, exhibits, and more happening around the city to honor all those affected by the events of June 12, 2016.
We continue to remember and honor those whose lives were lost by taking action, spreading love and kindness, and remaining united. We will continuously update this list, so check back often for new information.
Updated May 2024 by Meghan Roth
EIGHT-YEAR PULSE REMEMBRANCE WEEK EVENTS
8th Annual 4.9K CommUNITY Rainbow Run
Saturday, June 8, 8am
Orlando City Hall Plaza
400 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801
The CommUNITY Rainbow Run is moving from Wadeview Park to Orlando City Hall Plaza! The new location means a larger space for the CommUNITY Festival and offers a unique race day experience for everyone, with the Kids Fun Run taking place on Seneff Arts Plaza in front of the Dr. Phillips Center for Performing Arts. Run in honor of those affected by the Pulse tragedy with a special 4.9k beginning in Orlando City Hall Plaza, or opt for a virtual run anywhere in the world. After the run, head back to City Hall Plaza for the NASCAR CommUNITY Festival with entertainment, food, games, and an in-person Kids Fun Run around the park. Join the 26Health “Love is Love Lounge” with unlimited breakfast buffet, Mimosa’s, Proud Mary’s and other beverages provided by Hard Rock Café. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Orlando United Pulse Memorial, a permanent memorial honoring the victims and the spirit of our community.
Cost: $49
The Dru Project’s Annual Pulse Memorial & Fundraiser
Saturday, June 8, 12pm
Jack & Honey's
808 E Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801
Join The Dru Project for their 8th annual Orlando fundraiser and Pulse memorial event — drag brunch at Jack & Honey's! This event is held in honor of Christopher Andrew Leinonen, a LGBTQ+ advocate and one of the 49 victims of the Pulse tragedy. This year's event includes drag brunch and raffles, all to help raise money for LGBTQ+ youth.
JUNE 12 PULSE MEMORIAL EVENTS
49 Bells Ceremony
Wednesday, June 12, 4pm
First United Methodist Church of Orlando
142 E Jackson St, Orlando, FL 32801
The tolling of the bells is part of “Acts of Love and Kindness,” a One Orlando Alliance movement grown out of the spirit of giving and good deeds witnessed in the aftermath of the Pulse tragedy. The movement inspires the Orlando community and beyond to engage in volunteerism, share stories and show support through acts of love and kindness.
Pulse Remembrance Ceremony
Wednesday, June 12, 7pm
Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
445 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801
The Pulse Remembrance Ceremony allows our community to come together every year on the evening of June 12 to honor and remember the 49 angels taken, their families, the survivors, first responders, trauma teams, and all those impacted by the tragedy.
Admission is free but a ticket is required to attend the event.
EXHIBITS, MURALS AND INSTALLATIONS
The Pendulum of Pride: A History of LGBTQ Resilience in Central Florida
Sunday, June 9, 2-3pm
Orange County Regional History Center
65 E. Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32801
In this program, David Matteson, a past Board president of the LGBTQ History Museum of Central Florida, will survey the history of the LGBTQ community in the region by focusing on moments of progress, resistance, and resilience. In the wake of the tragic shooting at Pulse nightclub in 2016, demonstrations of love and support centralized around the LGBTQ community. Yet no matter how many rainbow flags fly in The City Beautiful, queer individuals have not always been welcomed. Our history includes moments when showing one’s pride sparked protest and times when political progress prompted regressive discrimination. By turning to the past, we may better understand the LGBTQ community’s resilience – a quality for which we should all be proud.
This program is free with registration.
Pulse Memorial Crosses
June 10 – 12, 2023 The Orange County Regional History Center will host the Pulse memorial crosses and offer free admission from June 10 to June 12, in honor of all those impacted by the Pulse nightclub tragedy. FREE (2024 Details TBA)
LOCAL LGBTQIA+ EVENTS
PrideFest Kissimmee
Saturday, June 1, 1-4pm
Kissimmee Civic Center
201 E Dakin Ave, Kissimmee, FL 34741
The block party of the year returns with food trucks, live music, Drag Bingo, and more! PrideFest Kissimmee is a celebration grounded in fostering awareness and acknowledging the impactful contributions of our local LGBTQAI+ community.
Pride Prom: Masquerade
Friday, June 14, 6-11pm
The Plaza Live
425 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL 32803
Support our Zebra Youth at the Pride Prom! Open to LGBTQ+ youth ages 14-20, this event will be themed in Masquerade. All forms of gender expression are welcome, but come semi-formal to formal in style!
The event is free with a suggested donation of $15 to Zebra Youth.
The Born This Way Ball: Gaga Pride Party
Thursday, June 20, 8:30pm
Cocktails & Screams
39 W Pine Street, Orlando, FL 32801
Paws up, Little Monsters! Orlando’s #1 Lady Gaga Impersonator, Mr Ms Adrien, is back with a brand new Gaga Ball Experience, celebrating Pride Month with THE BORN THIS WAY BALL, a drag concert tribute to the iconic album.
$26
Sunset At The Zoo: LGBTQ+ Pride Celebration
Friday, June 28, 5pm
Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens
3755 W Seminole Boulevard, Sanford, FL 32771
Join the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens for their second Sunset event of 2024, as they proudly celebrate our LGBTQ+ friends and family! They reopen the gates at 5:00 p.m. for guests to enjoy exploring the zoo, with music, food & more until the sun goes down!
Tickets start at $6
Speak With Pride / Paint With Pride
Saturday, June 29, 5-9pm
Deer Creek Village Clubhouse
5481 Deer Creek Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
Come join Reverend Cynthia Alice Anderson and State Representative Rita Harris for an evening of Pride. Hear some of the untold stories of LGBTQ+ Orlando. Enjoy amazing food courtesy of Anna’s Empanadas by Chef Joemar. Sip your favorite drink and listen to stories of support, empowerment, and triumph from members of the LGBTQ+ Community. Feeling brave? Open mic begins at 7pm, and they welcome any member of the audience to take the stage and Speak with Pride. If you don't want the stage, Paint Your Pride at our painting table – we will save your creations to put up in our office or you can keep them for yours.
Tickets start at $25
Murals:
- Pulse LOVE by Michael Owen at Einstein Bros. Bagels, 1901 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32806
- #OrlandoStrong mural by @luceskyart and @hepsfury at Pho Hoa, 649 Primrose Drive
- Love Orlando Orange mural by @rhettwithey and @ashleybgraphics at Pho Hoa, 649 Primrose Drive
- #OrlandoStrong mural by Track Shack staff and volunteers at Track Shack garage, 1050 N. Mills
- Orlando Strong mural by Ric Sosa at The Center, 946 N. Mills
- Love Wins mural by Patty Sheehan and Zebra Coalition youth at Zebra House, 911 N. Mills.
- We Matter mural by Patty Sheehan and Zebra Coalition youth at Zebra House, 911 N. Mills.
- You Mattered mural by Andrew Spear at iFixYouri, 1200 E Colonial Drive.
- Pulse Memorial Mural at Motortrend Certified Vehicles of Orlando, 2000 Principal Row, Orlando, FL 32837
- Diversity Heart Mural at Lamp Shade Fair, 1336 Mills Avenue
- You Matter Mural by Scott Bowles & Jack Hoffman at Bites & Bubbles, 912 N. Mills
- Pulse Wall, artist unknown, at Barcodes, 4453 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, FL 32804
GET INVOLVED
Support an LGBTQ+ Supporting Organization. Make a donation to One Orlando Alliance list, The Dru Project, or Contigo Fund. #ActLoveGive. View the names of the 49 victims here. Do you know of an event, memorial, or project that we missed? Please share it with us and we'll get it added to this listing. Feature image credit: @chriskernstock
