Charleston-area LGBTQ+ residents and visitors will have multiple opportunities to celebrate Pride this October, with Charleston Pride bringing a parade, festival and entertainment to Charleston and North Charleston, followed later in the month by Charleston Black Pride.
Charleston Pride Weekend kicks off Friday, October 16, at 7 p.m. and continues through 10 p.m. at Taco Boy (217 Huger St.) in Charleston. The free, 18-and-older event will be hosted by Kymmya Starr and feature performances by Olivia Knowles, Sharese Ses Pieces and Nova Cane, along with music from DJ Trevor D and Snap Dragon. The drag show begins at 8 p.m.
The 17th Annual Charleston Pride Parade steps off Saturday, October 17, at 9 a.m. from Wragg Square in downtown Charleston. The parade will make its way to King Street, with Ava Clear, Carolyn Murray and Trevor D. serving as emcees near King and Calhoun streets. This year’s grand marshal is the College of Charleston’s South Carolina LGBTQ+ Archives, a collection documenting the history and experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the state. The parade is free and will take place rain or shine.
Following the parade, the celebration moves to North Charleston for the Charleston Pride Festival from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Building 64. The free festival will feature drag, live music, DJs, visual art, vendors and community organizations. Kenya Pleaser headlines the entertainment lineup, which also includes Charleston Pride’s 2026 Royal Court: Empress Gouda Judy, Emperor D’Wess Lefaris and Sovereign Cassandra Cake. Other scheduled performers include Medusa Chaos, Cupid Divine, Morgana Mansion, Maple Westbrooke, BAND MANTRA and more.
Artist Arun Drummond will lead the festival’s Art Showcase, featuring work from several artists including Keller Lee, Patrick Prickett, Holli Nunn and Thomas Hicks.
Later in the month, Charleston Black Pride will hold its 4th Annual Health & Wellness Expo & Fashion Showcase Wednesday, Oct. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza CHS Airport Hotel in North Charleston. The event will feature health and wellness resources alongside fashion and entertainment, including performances by the Charleston Black Pride Royal Court, Daya Carter and King Ty.
Charleston Black Pride was founded in 2019 by Regina Duggins to create greater visibility, representation and community for LGBTQ+ people of color in the Lowcountry.
Since its founding, the organization has hosted HIV/AIDS testing and prevention partnerships, health and wellness fairs, transgender panels, food and back-to-school programs, drag shows, pageants, house balls and other community events. While its work centers LGBTQ+ people of color, Charleston Black Pride emphasizes that its events and programs are open to everyone. More information and updates are available through the Charleston Pride website and Charleston Black Pride’s Facebook page.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
