by Mark Chesnut
Last updated: 3:00 PM ET, Sat March 15, 2025
World Pride, the
massive global LGBTQ+ event that takes place May 17-June 8 in Washington, D.C.,
is expected to attract at least two million visitors. However, travelers
looking to partake in pride experiences without crowds can find many
interesting options in smaller cities nationwide and abroad.
Here are two dozen great places to celebrate pride on a
relaxed, smaller scale.
Just Outside the
Capital
Travelers already planning to visit D.C. for World Pride may
also want to consider attending complementary celebrations. Alexandria,
Virginia, offers its own array of activities that coincide with World Pride,
including a fair, market and performances. Just a short drive away, Loudoun
County, Virginia, expects around 5,000 participants at its Loudon Pride
Festival on May 31 for a day of live entertainment and family-friendly
activities.
In addition, Baltimore Pride runs June 8-15,
which is perfect for extending the celebration after World Pride concludes.
Pride Dupes Elsewhere
in the East
In Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
Pride takes place May 30-June 1, a three-day festival that’s jam-packed
with numerous special events across the city, including a parade, an LGBTQ+ pop
music festival and the Bigger, Gayer Picniq, an open-air gathering with a
buffet-style picnic and live entertainment.
In Ohio, meanwhile, upcoming celebrations include Pride in the CLE, which takes place
in Cleveland on June 7, and Columbus Pride, which consists of a festival on
June 13 and a march on June 14.
Southern Pride
Celebrations
Louisville, Kentucky, stands out by hosting two distinct pride
celebrations at different times of the year. The first one of the season, Kentuckiana Pride, is slated for June 21 and
features a parade through the trendy NuLu neighborhood, followed by a lively
festival on the banks of the Ohio River that always has international
performers; this year, it's British pop star Natasha Bedingfield. The
Louisville Pride Festival, meanwhile, will celebrate its 10th
anniversary when it kicks off on September 6, with live entertainment, food and
vendors.
Also taking place during a cooler month is Chattanooga Pride, which is
scheduled for October in Tennessee. In Florida, the city of Pensacola hosts
multiple pride events, including the beachy Pride Weekend on the last weekend
in May and PensaPride on June 28.
Midwest and Beyond
Among the noteworthy smaller pride celebrations in the
midwest is the Outreach Magic
Pride Festival, which takes place in Madison, Wisconsin on August 18,
complete with local LGBTQ+ identified performers, vendors, games and activities
for attendees of all ages.
In the Rockies, Breckinridge, Colorado hosts an event with
many activities that align with its natural setting. Set for June 13-15, Breck Pride includes diversions
like Pride Climbing (a rock climbing wall event), outdoor yoga sessions, art
activities and exhibits, a 5K Pride Run and fireside chats with LGBTQ+ athletes
and influencers.
In New Mexico, the tourist-popular city of Santa Fe hosts
the Pride Santa Fe, which
takes place on June 28 with a parade and festival with live music, drag and
cultural events.
Pride Dupes on the
West Coast
Northern California’s wine country offers multiple options. Sonoma County Pride takes place
May 30-June 1 in Santa Rosa, with parties, a festival and a parade, while
Russian River Pride, which takes place in the charming town of Guerneville on
September 20.
California’s capital, meanwhile, hosts Sacramento Pride on June 14-15, with a
parade, festival and live entertainment. Further north, Redding hosts Redding
Pride on June 8-14.
In Washington state, the city of Bellevue kicks off pride festivities
with an incredibly pet-friendly event: the Paws & Pride Dog
Walk, which takes place on May 31 and includes a dog walk around Bellevue
Downtown Park, a post-walk mimosa/beer garden and the cleverly named RuPaw’s
Dawg Costume Contest.
The following day, on June, the city
of Bellevue officially commemorates pride month with the raising of a pride
flag as well as a party with food and entertainment.
International Pride
Dupe Options
For travelers seeking international pride experiences,
several smaller cities offer compelling options.
In Alberta, Canada, the Jasper
Pride & Ski Festival runs April 4-13 with drag performances,
pride-themed après-ski parties, and outdoor adventures. Edmonton hosts both the
Edmonton Drag Festival (May 30-June 1) and Edmonton Pride Festival (August
22-24). Banff Pride is scheduled for October 3-13, which organizers call the
highest-elevation pride celebration in Canada.
In Australia, the Sydney
Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, one of the world’s largest pride events, has
already wrapped up for the year. But Canberra is ready to carry on the positive
vibes with SpringOUT, which takes place throughout November, with parties, performances,
and community events.
In Europe, Cambridge
Pride takes place in England on June 14, while the Danish city of Aarhus
hosts Aarhus Pride on May 31.
Caribbean pride options include San
Juan Pride, which takes place the first Saturday in June in Puerto Rico’s
capital, and Curacao Pride, which takes place September 26-October 5.
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