9 of the Best Pride Celebrations in the US
The United States may not move in “straight” lines when it comes to progress, but it’s clear most of the nation loves a parade. USA Pride events offer beacons of queer inclusivity—and they’re only growing bigger, better, and brighter—especially when topped with sparkles and joyful rainbows. Even small towns are getting in on the action. In the below US cities, LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations have become downright extravaganzas, whether you’re a queer-friendly spectator or a participant. For the best Pride festivals in the US, here’s where to go.
1. New York City, New York
The Big Apple goes big—and historic.
Ah, the center of the universe—and the epicenter of the US gay rights movement. Perhaps unsurprisingly, New York City has the largest Pride parade in the country, and that’s just the beginning. Though you’ll spot rainbow flags waving the entire month of June, the end of the month (typically around the last weekend) means concerts, street fairs, performances, inspirational speakers, and more. The parade is more than a parade, too: Floating through Greenwich Village, it purposefully passes the Stonewall National Monument, the site that launched the modern movement for LGBTQ+ rights.
2. San Francisco, California
Where everybody can find their kind.
Every month is Pride Month in San Francisco, but June is extra uproarious. While you could wander into just about any bar, nightclub, or even museum for Pride happenings and events, the official city pageantry typically rolls through June’s final weekend. Across two days, there’s a massive parade and Pride festival—with booths, dance stages, vendors, and demonstrations (including the rated-R kind)—that congregate around a temporarily rainbow-ified City Hall at Civic Center. Be sure to come with your own rainbows on.
3. St. Petersburg, Florida
Where Florida goes to party.
Florida’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration isn’t where you’d logically expect—it’s St. Petersburg. Pride events begin in late May and run the entire month of June, culminating on the second-to-last weekend with a trans march and Pride parade, street fair in the Grand Central District, and concert at Jannus Live with both local and national acts. There’s even a “Wear Nothing But Your Flag” day, for those with no shame and plenty of pride to spare.
4. Denver, Colorado
A mile-high Pride like no other.
Denver PrideFest celebrates its 50th year in 2024—it’s a June weekend in Denver Civic Center Park that revolves around music, street food, exhibitors, and, of course, parading. But because this is Denver—a city of outdoor lovers, sports fiends, and health fanatics—the city also runs a massively popular Pride 5K, and it's open to everyone (runners, walkers, dancers, rollers, sashay-ers, you name it). It’s as fun to watch as it is to attend.
5. Chicago, Illinois
The best Pride fest in the Midwest.
Chicago, the city that dyes its river green for St. Paddy’s Day, obviously loves a reason to party. For Pride, that means two separate June weekends of events: the Chicago Pride Fest, a 2-day street festival in Chicago’s LGBTQ+–heavy Northalsted neighborhood, and Pride in the Park (the “park” being Grant Park), which ends on a high note: the Chicago Pride Parade.
Insider tip: Though Pride in the Park may be more well-known thanks to the main parade, know that Chicago Pride Fest is the one with the Proud Pet Parade (Yep, pets in rainbows.)
6. Houston, Texas
Dueling Prides mean double the fun.
The biggest Pride fest in Texas, Houston Pride is actually a two-fer: Houston’s New Faces of Pride and Pride Houston 365. The last two weekends of June see dueling activities, but you don’t have to pick just one. The former will take over Fish Plaza with music, food, and festivities, plus run a 15-block parade through downtown; the latter, well, pretty much does the same thing. A Pride so nice, Houston did it twice.
7. Atlanta, Georgia
The South has something to say.
Atlanta is one of the few cities that runs its Pride festivities in October, billed as the country’s “largest free Pride festival.” Marches—a trans march, dyke march, plus bi and pan march—precede the massive Pride parade, which ends at Piedmont Park, aka the center of the ATL festivities. There’s also the 2-day Atlanta Pride Marketplace, where local vendors and entertainers set up shop to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors in their brightest gear and brightest spirits.
8. Portland, Oregon
Two months of rainbow delight.
Portland boasts the PNW’s largest Pride fest with the largest parade in Oregon. Although June means LGBTQ+ celebrations across the city’s bars, restaurants, and art galleries (hello, Portland Gay Men’s Chorus), the official city Pride extravaganza happens in July. The Portland Pride Parade passes through downtown on a Saturday morning. Once that’s over, it’s off to the Portland Pride Waterfront Festival that runs simultaneously—and for the rest of the weekend.
9. Los Angeles
When Pride goes Hollywood.
While it may not be California’s queer capital, Los Angeles obviously knows how to put on a show. Festivities start in May with Harvey Milk Day—which honors the first openly gay California politician—and run all through June. LA Pride in the Park is the centerpiece event, where it can feel like the city is showing off its Hollywood connections: Headliners tend to have names like “Mariah Carey” and “Megan Thee Stallion.” Of course, there's also a massive parade, plus LGBTQ+ events at huge venues like Dodger Stadium and Universal Studios. In June, all of LA is a sea of rainbow delights.
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