The Charlotte Pride festival and parade are annual events in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte Pride, Inc. is the non-profit organization, founded in 2000, that hosts Charlotte Pride. The organization also hosts an annual LGBTQ job fair and LGBTQ film festival in Charlotte.
Charlotte Pride operates a great website with lots of information about their events, but this page summarizes answers to common questions about the pride festival and parade, all in one convenient place.
When is Charlotte Pride?
The Charlotte Pride festival and parade typically take place during the third weekend in August of each year. The festival in 2022 took place on August 20th and August 21st. Charlotte Pride 2023 is scheduled for August 19th to the 20th.
The Reel Out Charlotte film festival, featuring LGBTQ films takes place in May. The film festival will take place from May 17th to the 21st in 2023. The Charlotte Pride Job Fair has historically taken place in February.
Where is Charlotte Pride?
The festival and parade take place annually in Charlotte’s Uptown neighborhood. The parade route has historically been on Tryon Street, moving south from the intersection of Tryon and Ninth Street to Fourth Street.
The festival zone is typically located adjacent to the end of the parade route. Parking is limited in Uptown so people attending the festival and parade should consider using Charlotte’s Lynx public transit system. There are many light rail stations nearby to the festival and parade route.
What to Expect at the Festival and Parade
The annual pride parade is a family-friendly event and there are typically a mix of LGBTQ people and straight allies in attendance. You will see rainbow flags abound, and also find members of the queer community repping the drag, leather, and other queer subculture communities.
The festival features food trucks and booths manned by supportive businesses, vendors, churches, and community organizations hoping to share their message with Charlotte’s LGBTQ community.
Is Charlotte Pride Safe?
Charlotte Pride is a safe event attended by people of all ages. The unfortunate reality is that Pride events across the United States often receive threats of violence. However, the Charlotte police provide great security and there are medical professionals on site at the festival and parade.
As with any outdoor festival, especially those taking place in the Summer, staying hydrated is key to staying healthy and safe at pride.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Charlotte Pride?
Charlotte Pride festival and parade have always been free to attend for all members of the public. Charlotte Pride is run by a non-profit organization that depends on community support to stay running. You can donate to Charlotte Pride here to help them keep the festival free for all.
The Reel Out Charlotte film festival costs $5 per screening to attend. Tickets typically go on sale a short time before the festival begins in the Spring of each year.
Other Pride Celebrations
For information about other nearby pride festivals, parades, and events check out our list of the Biggest North Carolina Pride Events.
