It's time to celebrate Pride in North Carolina. Here's a guide to the biggest 2025 Pride events and festivals. (Patrick Perkins/Unsplash)
North Carolina celebrates 2025 Pride in June, August, and September this year. Here’s what you need to know about some of the biggest festivals and events.
North Carolina hosts a variety of events and festivals to celebrate 2025 Pride, including celebrations in June, August, and September. Pride is a time to gather freely and express love for the LGBTQ+ community. Parades, drag shows, and concerts are common, as are some fantastic local food and beverage options.
In some areas, like Fayetteville, this year’s Pride may look a little different. PrideFest is moving to an indoor location for the 2025 celebration due to public safety and security concerns. The event will take place on June 21 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Crown Expo Center, and there will be live performances, arts & crafts, food and drink vendors, and community resources. Police and security will be present to ensure everyone’s safety.
Fayetteville’s resilience is a reminder to all of us that it’s essential to be ourselves, love who we love, and that we should be able to do these things safely without the threat of violence looming over us. NC’s 2025 Pride events highlight this desire and celebrate generations of LGBTQ+ members who have worked tirelessly to ensure each new generation has the chance to be who they are without fear.
Pittsboro Pride
When: Friday, June 6 through Saturday, June 7
Where: The Plant, 220 Lorax Lane, Pittsboro
Billed as the biggest LGBTQ+ festival of the year, Pittsboro Pride kicks off with a free Drag Show & Dance Party on June 6 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., which you can reserve tickets for here. Please note that this event is for ages 13+, and that more family-friendly activities for children of all ages will be available the following day.
The full festival (including a parade, music, vendors, and more!) starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 6 p.m. on June 7. For additional information, including the entire schedule of events, a helpful map showing where everything is, and a list of vendors who will be at the festival, please click here.
Hendersonville Pride
When: June 7, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Jackson Park, Hendersonville
The HVL Pride Festival 2025 has officially been announced, though specific details, including what the festival will entail—like performances, parades, and other activities—are not listed on the website as of writing. There’s a helpful guide on how to make the most of 2025 Pride here, and they update their Instagram posts and stories regularly, so keep an eye on their page to gather more information between now and June 7.
Chapel Hill Pride
When: June 7, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Downtown Chapel Hill
The fourth annual Chapel Hill Pride Promenade begins at Peace & Justice Plaza around 12 p.m. and ends at 140 West Franklin Plaza around 3 p.m., with several activities taking place in between. According to the event’s website, there will be interactive experiences, food & beverage options, art vendors, performances, and more, all within their street market.
There’s a catwalk competition at 1:45 p.m., and drag queen Kiki Diamond will perform at 2:45 p.m. A full schedule of events and a complete list of vendors can be found here.
Carrboro Orgullo Pride
When: June 14, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Carrboro Town Commons, 301 W. Main St., Carrboro
Food trucks, drag shows, dancing, arts and crafts for the kids, and a whole lot of support for the local LGBTQ+ community. Carrboro is collaborating with El Centro Hispano to put on an event that celebrates diversity, and highlights the local Latinx LGBTQ community.
Pleasure Island Pride
When: June 22, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Seaworthy Kitchen & Bar, 604 N Lake Park Blvd, Carolina Beach
Pleasure Island’s Pride event will be more of a block party and will feature face painting, raffles, local artists, live music, food and beverages, and something listed as “fairy hair,” which immediately piques our interest. The event takes place rain or shine and will mainly take place outdoors, so make sure to pack SPF or an umbrella depending on the weather.
To learn more, click here.
Charlotte Pride
When: August 16 & 17
Where: First Ward Park and nearby streets in Uptown Charlotte
Similar to Hendersonville, details about Charlotte Pride are minimal as of writing. This fact sheet lists the dates of the event and the parade route, but everything else is currently being planned and figured out. Check back in on the festival’s website, Instagram, and Facebook to learn exciting details as they’re announced, and to take a look back at last year’s celebration to get a feel for what you can expect this year.
Raleigh Pride
When: June 20 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., June 21 from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: Fayetteville Street, Downtown Raleigh
Out! Raleigh Pride is a free, two-day celebration featuring food, a beer garden, a KidsZone, local artists and vendors, and live entertainment. Please note that the events on June 20 will be for ages 18+ and will feature adult vendors and entertainment. Drag queen Sasha Colby will be headlining the event.
All of the events scheduled on June 21 will be family-friendly, and any funds raised from food, beverage, and gift sales will benefit the LGBT Center of Raleigh. For more information, click here and here.
Salisbury Pride
When: June 28, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Bell Tower Green, Salisbury
The theme of this year’s Salisbury Pride is “Community,” which is fitting given that this vibrant event is meant to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in North Carolina. Additional information, including entertainment and vendor options, has not been announced as of writing, but you can follow their Instagram and Facebook pages for updates.
Pride events in September
A few of North Carolina’s biggest 2025 Pride events will be held in September instead of June. Outer Banks Pride Week runs from September 12 to September 14. The main festival, held on September 13, is free, though tickets must be purchased for some individual events. For more information on OBX Pride, including daily schedules and drag performances, click here.
Durham Pride is scheduled for September 26 to September 28. Further details have not been announced as of writing, but the LGBTQ Center Durham encourages people to keep an eye on their website here for announcements as they become available.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Related: 8 LGBTQ-owned NC businesses to support this Pride Month
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