Celebrating 20+ years of Charlotte Pride
and more than 40 years of Pride legacy
in the Queen City.
After an incredible 2022 Pride season, Charlotte’s largest street festival and parade returns to Uptown Charlotte! From our roots 50 years ago, when early gay rights leaders first attempted organizing in Charlotte, to our first Gay Pride Day in 1981, to the founding of Charlotte Pride and our first event in 2001 — we are so excited to celebrate again with you all the ways our community has grown and triumphed. From 2,000 attendees in 2001 to a record-breaking 275,000 at last year’s event, the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade returns again to the streets of Uptown Charlotte as we celebrate 20+ years of Charlotte Pride and more than 40 years of Pride legacy in the Queen City.
Event Details
Charlotte Pride Festival
Aug. 19-20, 2023
Bank of America Charlotte Pride Parade
Aug. 20, 2023
RAIN OR SHINE!
Volunteer Information
After a record-breaking 2022, the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade is making a return to Uptown Charlotte. We’re expecting a significant increase in event attendance and we’ll need more weekend volunteers than ever before! Click the link below to learn more.
Charlotte Pride Week
Check out our calendar to see what’s happening during Pride Week! Got an event you’d like listed here? Reach out to media@charlottepride.org for more information.
Charlotte Pride Festival Zone
Charlotte Pride’s two-day cultural festival includes a variety of national, regional, and local entertainers, musicians, bands, and hundreds of participating vendor booths, including art exhibits, local nonprofits, retailers, a food court, and more! Join us for Flourish: A Celebration of LGBTQ Arts & Culture in the Wells Fargo Atrium – Uptown!
Download your mobile guide to the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade!
Charlotte Pride is Committed to Keeping You Safe
Here’s how we’ll do it together…
Honoring Our Local Champions
The Champions of Pride are Charlotte Pride’s annual awards. Along with selections for each year’s Charlotte Pride Parade Grand Marshals, the Champions of Pride Awards seek to recognize those whose work and dedication exemplify the spirit of Pride. Our Champions endeavor to empower and unite LGBTQ and allied people through their leadership, service, and support. Champions understand the importance of celebrating our past, present, and future while advancing LGBTQ rights and visibility.
Accessibility at Charlotte Pride
We strive to make all of our 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/mobility friendly, and we will work to ensure additional accessibilities. This year, we are partnering with Friendly Like Me to provide a detailed accessibility guide for the festival and parade. Click the link below to learn more.
Did you know Charlotte Pride is on Spotify?! Get to know Charlotte Pride’s 2023 main stage entertainers through our new Spotify playlist!
Our 2023 Charlotte Pride x Glory Days Apparel shirts are live! Quantities are limited so order yours today!
Proceeds from the sale of the shirt will directly benefit Charlotte Pride programming throughout the year.
This year’s interfaith service will be held at Caldwell Presbyterian Church on Sunday, August 13 at 4pm. The theme will be “Prosper and Persevere.”
Charlotte’s largest annual parade pays tribute to more than 50 years of LGBTQ Liberation. Join us in Uptown as we celebrate 20 years of Charlotte Pride and 40 years of Pride Movement legacy in the Queen City!
Sunday, Aug. 20, 1-4pm
N. Tryon Street, Uptown
Advocacy at Charlotte Pride
With all of the attacks against our community, we feel it’s important to highlight advocacy during the festival weekend. This year, we have partnered with Democracy NC and the Freedom Center for Social Justice to bring social justice dialogue to the forefront. Voter registration resources will be available and each of our festival stages will have at least one advocacy activation. We’ve got some big plans this year, so stay tuned.
And remember:
Charlotte Pride stands with you, now and always.
Charlotte Pride VIP Experience
presented by McDonald’s
Get access to the air-conditioned VIP lounge, complimentary beer, wine, and catered treats, special activities, VIP parade stands, and VIP main stage viewing area!
Details:
Saturday, August 19, 12pm-8pm
Sunday, August 20, 12pm-6pm
Location:
Wells Fargo Plaza
VIP Passes On Sale Now!
Get full VIP details and purchase your passes via the button below.
*AGE AND PHOTO ID RESTRICTIONS: You must be 21 years of age or older on or before August 19, 2023, in order to purchase a VIP Pass. No one under the age of 21 will be allowed entry into the VIP Lounge. Valid government-issued photo ID will be required when entering the VIP Lounge. If you are under the age of 21 and purchase a VIP pass, you will be denied entry to the VIP Lounge and no refund will be issued.
Hotel Information
We have two partner hotels for the 2023 Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade weekend:
Courtyard Charlotte Center City’s special rate is 149 USD per night, per room +tax. Parking is available for $30 per day, per car. See link for more details.
Charlotte Marriott City Center’s special rate is 205 USD per night, per room +tax. Parking is available for $45 for overnight and $28 for day parking, per car. See link for more details.
Book your room today!
Where can I find parking for the festival and parade?
The festival and parade is hosted in Uptown, which has a variety of parking and transit options throughout. You can click here for more info on Uptown parking and here for information on Charlotte’s public transit options.
Are pets allowed at your event?
We discourage bringing your furry friends to Charlotte Pride events as our events are outdoor in the heat. Additional details will be included on individual events if they are animal friendly. Service animals are always welcome. Charlotte Pride is not liable for the health and safety of any service animals at the festival.
Coming Soon:
Updated Mobile App Information
And More!
You can help keep Charlotte Pride free for all!
We’ve never charged admission to the festival, and we never will!
Make a one-time or recurring gift to Charlotte Pride.
Get event updates
Sign up for our email list to get the latest news and updates on event details, including upcoming announcements for entertainment, host hotels, VIP sales, and more.
Sustaining Sponsor
Visionary Sponsors
Leadership Sponsors
Visibility Sponsors
Equality Sponsors
Empowerment Sponsors
Creativity & Media Partners
Community Partners
Special Thanks To
