When is atlanta gay pride

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Local groups and venues host parties, drag shows, movie nights and community fundraisers throughout the month. The two-day festival includes three parades (Trans, Dyke, and Bi/Pan), a massive marketplace, live music, and the Starlight Cabaret—the largest outdoor drag show in the country.

The 2025 Atlanta Pride Festival is scheduled for October 11- 12, with a kickoff event at the Georgia Aquarium on October 10.

“Whether you’re a long-time supporter or a first-time attendee, the 2024 Atlanta Pride Festival has something for everyone. Organizers expect this year’s turnout to be one of the largest yet.

Atlanta Pride leadership emphasizes that their work happens year-round. Here's why.

For many cities across the U.S., June is filled with rainbow flags, parades, and parties marking LGBTQ+ Pride Month.

But in Atlanta, the city’s largest and oldest Pride celebration doesn’t happen until the second weekend of October. 

That decision, rooted in weather, history and strategy, makes Atlanta’s Pride Festival one of the most unique — and well-attended — in the country.

A drought changed everything

Organizers scrambled to find new locations and dates, eventually testing a July 4 event before landing on Halloween weekend.

That date didn’t stick.

These smaller gatherings help spotlight grassroots organizers and celebrate Atlanta’s diverse LGBTQ+ neighborhoods.

Upcoming June events include:

  • Ruby Redd’s Birdcage Bingo every Wednesday at Atlanta Eagle
  • PrideFest 2025: From Athens, With Pride on June 7
  • Pride Party at Red’s Beer Garden on June 8
  • Heightened Scrutiny screening at Midtown Art Cinema on June 10
  • Drag Me To Church on June 22
  • It’s Giving Edgewood Pride pub crawl and market on June 29

Each event helps keep Pride Month alive while building momentum toward the October festival.

October Pride is a national draw to Atlanta

Held in Piedmont Park, the Atlanta Pride Festival now draws more than 350,000 people, making it the largest Pride celebration in the Southeast.

We look forward to celebrating their achievements and the vibrant diversity of our community at the 2024 Atlanta Pride Festival.”

Your 2024 Grand Marshals are:

  • Amber Moore
  • Atlanta Freedom Bands
  • Dr. The parade will be part of the Atlanta Pride Festival, a week-long celebration of LGBTQ+ pride that also includes performances, cultural exhibits, the Pride Car and Motorcycle Show, and the Marketplace.

    This is a moment we can all be ‘United With Pride.'”

    Atlanta celebrates three Pride events annually.

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“Each Grand Marshal has made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, and their dedication to equality and inclusion is truly inspiring. The Marketplace is a free event with over 200 vendor booths, restaurants, and nightlife promotions.

Parade organizers announced the Grand Marshals of the 2024 Atlanta Pride Festival is a roster of remarkable individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to Georgia’s LGBTQ+ community and beyond, exemplifying this year’s theme of “United With Pride.”

“We are incredibly honored to have such an extraordinary group standing “United With Pride” this year,” said Chris McCain, Executive Director of Atlanta Pride.

Atlanta honors Pride Month in June — but holds its biggest LGBTQ+ celebration in October. Elijah Nicholas

  • Jorge Estevez
  • Lost-n-Found Youth
  • R. Darlene Hudson
  • Roger Rutkowski
  • Taylor ALXNDR

    • In addition to the line-up of celebrated grand marshals, the Pride Parade headliner is global pop sensation Ava Max who’s chart-topping hits and empowering anthems like “Sweet but Psycho,” “Kings and Queens,” and “My Head and My Heart” champion self-expression and individuality.

    “It’s been a successful move for us.”

    Celebrating Pride all year long

    While October is the anchor for the city’s biggest Pride events, June still holds meaning. From community grants to advocacy, the mission continues beyond parades.

    “We do this work all year,” Ferguson said. That date aligned with National Coming Out Day on October 11, giving the move a deeper meaning.

    “We’ve had better weather, we’ve had better attendance,” Atlanta Pride Executive Director Jamie Ferguson told 11Alive in a 2021 interview.

    “Pride is every single day for us.”

    Want to get involved?

    • Visit AtlantaPride.org for a full calendar of Pride Month events, parade info and volunteer opportunities.
    • Support grassroots groups with Atlanta Pride’s “Pride Across the Peach State” grant initiative.
    • Stay informed and follow @AtlantaPride for year-round updates.

    54th Annual Atlanta Pride Parade to Feature Spectacular Lineup

    The Atlanta Pride Parade will take place on .

    Too many competing events and logistics made it difficult to plan.

    So in 2009, the Atlanta Pride Committee chose the second weekend of October.

    when is atlanta gay pride