It’s almost time for PRIDE in the ATL, and we couldn’t be more stoked! Even though June is National Pride Month (and Atlanta has plenty of summertime celebrations!), Atlanta celebrates Pride in October. And this year, Atlanta Pride has a stunning lineup of festival events. Keep scrolling to learn more.
Atlanta Pride
The Atlanta Pride Committee is Georgia’s oldest non-profit agency serving the LGBTQ community and serves as an advocate of gender and sexually diverse communities in Atlanta and the Southeast. Their most beloved events include the annual Atlanta Pride Festival and Parade, which is the largest celebration of queer pride in the South!
When is Atlanta Pride?
This year, Atlanta Pride will be October 10th – 11th in Piedmont Park.
The Atlanta Pride Festival is two days of entertainment, markets, parades, and more. Let us break it down for you:
Entertainment
Every year, Atlanta Pride brings Piedmont Park to life with stunning performances that highlight and celebrate queer culture and art.
Pride kicks off with a super fun official kickoff at the Georgia Aquarium on October 9th from 7pm – 11pm!
The Aquarium states,
Drift into a night of pride, connection, and euphoric energy at one of Atlanta’s most iconic and multi-award winning LGBTQ+ celebrations. The Georgia Aquarium transforms into a luminous underwater dreamscape, where shimmering lights, ethereal décor, and pulsing music flow together around you—surrounded by thousands of mesmerizing aquatic creatures.
Learn all about the Pride Kickoff event at the aquarium on their website, here!
- Main Stage (Coca-Cola Stage) – Located in the Meadow of Piedmont Park, Atlanta Pride’s Main Stage is where guests will find the festival’s biggest performances, with nationally recognized headliners and with a mix of artists & performers who help make Pride weekend unforgettable.
- Community Stage – Near the 12th Street Park entrance, Atlanta Pride’s Community Stage highlights the incredible talent we have right here at home, with local performers, community groups, drag artists, dancers, musicians, and emerging talent from across the region.
And the festival ends with Atlanta Pride’s Starlight Cabaret, the largest outdoor drag show in the country!
The Marketplace
From 10am to 7pm on both days of the festival, Atlanta Pride will have a massive outdoor market in Piedmont Park that festival-goers will love!
With artisan goods, crafts, learning, advocacy and so much more, the Marketplace is Atlanta’s Pride’s hub for connection. And the marketplace typically sees more than 350,000 visitors throughout the weekend… so yeah, it’s popular!
Parades & Marches
Probably the most recognizable part about Pride (anywhere, but especially in the ATL) is the parade! Atlanta hosts three distinct marches and a huge Pride Parade! All are welcome to join–both those in the community and allies.
Attendees are encouraged to wear their Pride colors and outfits and bring signs! Atlanta Pride asks that everything is kept family-friendly & clean at these events!
Saturday
- Annual Trans March
- Steps off at 1:45 PM, Saturday of the Festival from the Charles Allen Gate and ends at the 12th Street Gate.
- Everyone—Trans folks and allies alike—are invited to join the march.
- Annual Bi & Pan March
- Steps off at 3:30 PM, Saturday of the Festival from the Charles Allen Gate and ends at the 12th Street Gate.
- Everyone—no matter your gender identity or expression—is welcome to join in this joyful march.
- Annual Dyke March
- Steps off at 5:00 PM, Saturday of the Festival from the Charles Allen Gate and ends at the 12th Street Gate.
- Everyone—women, femmes, and allies—are invited to join the march.
Sunday
- Atlanta Pride Parade
- Steps off at 12:00 PM, Sunday of the Festival from the Civic Center MARTA station and ends at the Charles Allen Gate.
- With over 100,000 people flooding the streets of Midtown Atlanta, the Atlanta Pride Parade is the city’s largest parade.
- Atlanta Pride Parade is open to all, LGBTQ+ folks, allies, friends, family & more!
Learn all about the marches and parade specifics on Atlanta Pride’s website, here!
Don’t miss out on Atlanta Pride this year, y’all! We’ll see ya there!