Back to Summer in the South Index…
The weather is beginning to heat up as the Carolinas head into summer, and so is our Pride season. Festivals, parades and other celebrations are poised to pop all over the region. Looking for a short summer vacay or day trip? Visit one of our regional Pride celebrations beginning next month and stretching far into the fall. Need pointers? Take a look at our ultimate list of regional Pride celebrations below. Looking for a beach getaway? Don’t miss our special highlights on coastal Pride celebrations.
Salisbury Pride
June 20
E. Fisher St., Salisbury
Annual festival featuring a special performance with Del Shores the night before, June 19, at Pride at the Norvell.
salisburypride.com.
South Carolina Black Pride
June 24-28
Columbia
Celebrating 10 years of “standing in our truth.”
southcarolinablackpride.com.
Augusta Pride
June 26-28
Augusta, Ga.
Three days of events, including a parade on Saturday, Jun. 27, a Friday night outdoor dance party and pool party to wrap up the weekend.
prideaugusta.org.
Charlotte Black Gay Pride
July 16-19
Charlotte
Celebrating their 10th annual event, Charlotte Black Gay Pride includes a town hall, community expo and more.
charlotteblackgaypride.com.
Charlotte Pride
Aug. 15-16
S. Tryon St., Charlotte
The largest LGBTQ Pride event between Washington, D.C., and Atlanta returns to Uptown Charlotte with its third annual parade.
charlottepride.org.
Pride End of Summer Festival
Sept. 13
Rotary Park, 1001 N Broadway St., Johnson City, Tenn.
Join in the second annual celebration of Pride in the Tri-Cities. $10.
pridetricities.com.
Greensboro Pride
Sept. 19
S. Elm St., Greensboro
New this year: Festival moves to a new street-fair location on S. Elm St.
greensboropride.org.
NC Pride
Sept. 26
Duke University East Campus, Durham
Durham’s annual festival and parade.
ncpride.org.
Pride Winston-Salem
Oct. 16-17
Trade St., Winston-Salem
Featuring a festival, parade and food truck rodeo. On Oct. 3, participate in Pride Winston-Salem’s Rainbow Run 5K in the Washington Park Neighborhood.
pridews.org.
SC Pride
Oct. 24
Downtown Columbia
The Palmetto State’s annual Pride festival and parade, with a downtown street fair, entertainment and more.
scpride.org.
Pride on the Coast
Charleston Pride
July 25-Aug. 1
Charleston, S.C.
Featuring a Pride parade and festival, Charleston Pride brings together coastal South Carolina’s LGBT community for several days of fun and networking. Begun just a few short years ago and first hosted in North Charleston, the main events have since moved to Charleston. More details are soon to be announced. Check the event’s website for more information.
charlestonpride.com.
Savannah Pride
Sept. 12
Savannah, Ga.
Hosted in Forsyth Park, Savannah Pride turns up the heat at their annual festival. Just a short drive away, the beach sands of Tybee Island await.
savannahpride.com.
OBX Pride Fest
Sept. 18-20
Nags Heads, N.C.
There’s nothing quite like North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Historic and scenic, it also becomes home to a fabulous beachside Pride festival each September. Late in the year, it’s after the summer beach rush, but still plenty warm for summer-time activities. The main event is hosted at First Colony Inn, a beachfront hotel, with evening events hosted at the nearby Pamlico Jack’s and a sunset cruise. A $100 Pride Pass ($85 for students) gets you entry to all Friday and Saturday night events.
obxpridefest.com.
Other festivals and events…
Be sure to check in with the organizers of these events as more details, dates and locations are announced:
Catawba Valley Pride (Hickory):
catawbavalleypride.org
Blue Ridge Pride (Asheville):
blueridgepride.org
Gaston Pride (Gastonia):
gastonpride.com
High Country Pride (Boone):
highcountrypride.org
Shades of Pride (Durham):
shadesofpride.lgbtqcenterofdurham.org
Upstate SC Pride (Greenville-Spartanburg):
upstatepridesc.org.