One of the biggest events of the spring, Boston Pride Week, officially kicks off its 40th year on June 5 at noon with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall Plaza. From there, the LGBT and ally community can enjoy dozens of parties, forums, charity fund-raisers and more through June 14. Early highlights of the festival include the brand-new Boston Pride Gala at the Courtyard Boston Downtown on June 5 at 6 p.m. Later that night, enjoy an appearance by artist collective/activists Pussy Riot, who discuss the fight for LGBT rights in Russia, among other topics, at the Wilbur Theatre at 7:30 p.m. And don’t miss Pride Day at Faneuil Hall Marketplace on June 6 from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and the 30th annual AIDS Walk Boston on June 7 beginning at 10 a.m. on Boston Common. For a complete schedule of events, visit bostonpride.org.