Pride Month is finally here, and Charlotte’s Pride Festival and Parade recently announced its return on August 15–16, celebrating love, unity, compassion, self-expression, and so much more. This event is designed for all ages and allows every generation to provide love and support for the community. The event will feature a drag pageant, art groups, youth and family zones, a health fair that provides education on personal health, local food vendors, musical entertainment, and a Charlotte Black Pride Stage & Dance Tent.

History of Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade Below:

Grounded firmly in the history of the LGBTQ Liberation Movement sparked by the June 1969 Stonewall Riots & Uprising, Charlotte Pride is the modern heir of Pride events and activities in Charlotte tracing back to the 1970s and early 1980s. After a series of Pride or Pride-like events in the ’80s and 90s’ organized by various groups, Charlotte Pride was founded in 2000 and hosted its first annual Charlotte Pride Festival in 2001. Since 2011, Charlotte Pride’s largest annual event has been held in the heart of Uptown Charlotte and an annual parade was introduced in 2013. Over the past decade, the annual event has grown from approximately 10,000 visitors to 260,000 visitors, becoming the largest LGBTQ celebration of its kind in the Carolinas and the city’s largest annual parade. Charlotte Pride has also grown its year-round programs, supported by its growth from an all-volunteer leadership team to a growing mix of dedicated board members, volunteers, and full-time staff. Charlotte Pride is a proud member of InterPride (The International Association of Pride Organizers) and the U.S. Association of Prides.

The festival will also have community programs such as scholarship and internship programs, as well as a job fair. Charlotte Pride’s programs are designed to fulfill its mission to enrich, empower, strengthen, and make its community more visible. It does so through a broad range of year-round programs and activities, targeted community education and engagement campaigns, and regular social media awareness and education campaigns.

On June 6th, there will be a local entertainer spotlight event at Divine Barrel Brewing at 1 p.m. Post and event RSVP (not required). Doubting Thomas, Tre Ward, and Mandako will be performing.

They also just announced their first Main Stage entertainer for the 2026 Charlotte Pride Festival Main Stage: Lauren Sanderson.

Accessibility at Pride!

The festival strives to make all of its events accessible to everyone regardless of ability. At the festival and parade, ASL interpreters will be on-site for all events with performers; all areas will be wheelchair- and mobility-friendly, and they will work to ensure additional accessibility needs are met.

Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service

Sunday, August 9th, 4:00 PM

Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1900 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC

Celebrate the unity and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Join us for this year’s Charlotte Pride Interfaith Service with the theme PROUD OUT LOUD: Many Paths, One Affirmation.