Philly's 'Godmother of Soul,' Patti LaBelle to appear at Pride Fest

Pride in Philadelphia this weekend will have a special guest — none other than the city's "Godmother of Soul," Patti LaBelle.

LaBelle will be accepting the Luv Award at Pride on the Parkway's Main Stage Sunday, June 7, honored also by a musical tribute from a number of performers, Philly Pride 365 announced.

The Philadelphia-born artist has collected 13 Grammy nominations and two wins over her decades-long career, solidifying herself as a musical phenom from the City of Brotherly Love.

Where is Philly Pride 2026?

Unlike recent years, Philly's official pride festival organized by Philly Pride 365 has moved out of the Gayborhood this year, taking place on the famous Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

The event is also being ticketed at $10 for general access and $100 for VIP perks like preferred entry, VIP bar and main stage viewing area access.

The move has drawn both excitement and criticism from community members.

Philly Pride 365 CEO Tyrell Brown previously told USA TODAY that the change in location, as well as the admission price, was necessary to make the event safer with a secure perimeter, ADA-accessible and to accommodate how the annual festivities have grown over the years.

The payment structure also helps fund other events throughout the year as well as compensate organization staff: "Our labor is worth being compensated. ... Producing a festival in Philadelphia can be expensive," Brown, who uses he/they pronouns, said.

Brown also shared that their intention is "to create dynamic programming that is safe, that is accessible, that is addressing the intersections in our community that often go unseen."

Philly Pride on the Parkway performance lineup

Interested in who else will be performing on the Parkway this Sunday? Here's the list as of June 2:

• Fitch Means - Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• Nikki Holland - Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• Jace the Caveat - Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• Jacqueline Constance Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• Kiahna B - Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• Vinchelle - Main Stage (Art Museum)
• Solar Cisystem - Visibility Stage (Eakins Oval)
• Iconique - Visibility Stage (Eakins Oval)
• Robyn Hood - Main Stage (Art Museum)
• Empress El - Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• January Eyler - Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• Lady Alma - Main Stage (Art Museum)
• Jess Haya - Main Stage (Art Museum)
• Sug Daniels - Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• Carla Gamble - Main Stage (Art Museum)
• Giavacious - Unity Stage (22nd and Parkway)
• Jakeya Limitless - Main Stage (Art Museum)

Kaitlyn McCormick is a Philadelphia-based reporter writing all things trending, breaking and city-related for USA TODAY's Philadelphia Metro Connect Team.