Happy Pride, Atlanta!
Every year, I am reminded that Pride is not just a festival. Pride is a promise — a promise that this community keeps showing up for one another, no matter what might be happening in the world. This October, we’re keeping that promise by showing up even more loudly and proudly than ever.
The theme of the 2026 Atlanta Pride Festival, Louder & Prouder, is both a celebration and a call to action. It means embracing who we are without apology, standing with our chosen family, and raising our voices for one another. When we speak together, we make an impact that none of us could make alone.
We chose this year’s theme recognizing that LGBTQ+ people across our country and around the world remain at the center of many political and cultural fights. It would be easy to go quiet in a moment like this, but our community has not. Instead, this “city too busy to hate” has organized: we show up for each other time and time again, whether that’s at City Hall or the State Capitol, while making room for joy along the way. Sometimes that is a quiet, steady voice; sometimes it is a rallying cry in the streets. But no matter what, we know that silence is not an option.
So on Saturday and Sunday, October 10 and 11, Piedmont Park will again be home to the largest free Pride festival in the country — some 350,000 of us across one weekend. We will welcome hundreds of vendors and artists to our Marketplace, and we will trace our history through exhibits and the sacred display of the AIDS Memorial Quilt. We will experience incredible national and local entertainers on two stages, and we will dance until our feet give out. We will parade through Midtown on Sunday, and we will honor nine Grand Marshals whose impact spans our community — including our Honorary Grand Marshal, the first openly gay Black Congressman from the South, U.S. Representative Everton Blair Jr. Whether this is your first Atlanta Pride Festival or your 50th, thank you for choosing to spend it with us.
On Monday, when Piedmont Park has emptied out, know that Atlanta Pride’s work continues. Through our Pride Across the Peach State partnerships, we send tens of thousands of dollars every year to Pride organizations serving communities all across Georgia — because Atlanta Pride extends far beyond Midtown.
None of this happens without you. Our volunteers who give hundreds of hours. Our sponsors and community partners who believe in our mission. Everyone who joins us in Piedmont Park. Atlanta Pride has flourished for more than five decades because of you, and we will keep growing because of you. Our lives, our stories, and our rights will not be silenced, and neither will we.
So let’s show up for each other — let’s be Louder & Prouder. See you in Piedmont Park on October 10 and 11!
In Pride,
Chris McCain (he/him)
Executive Director
Atlanta Pride
2026 Atlanta Pride Events Guide
PARTY WITH PRIDE!
Official Atlanta Pride Kickoff Party
Friday, Oct. 9, 7 to 11 p.m.
Georgia Aquarium
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, all while you’re surrounded by thousands of mesmerizing aquatic creatures.
Wander across 13+ acres as four live DJs take over distinct spaces throughout the Aquarium, transforming every corner into its own dance floor. In 2026, we’re turning up the energy with DJ Russ Rich (San Francisco), known for his ultra-exclusive Taylor Swift remixes—so be ready for a specially TAY-lored set at some point during the night.
We’re also thrilled to feature Atlanta favorite DJ TDON alongside local rising talent DJ GOONZ, who will set the tone inside the VIP Lounge. Meanwhile, DJ Seth Breezy returns to kick things off in a hidden spot beneath 6.3 million gallons of water, delivering a fully immersive, melodic experience you won’t want to miss.
Official Kickoff After-Party
Friday, Oct. 9, 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
The Heretic
Heretic Atlanta is proud to be the official after-party to the Georgia Aquarium Pride Kickoff Party again this year, featuring the one and only DJ Abel. These events WILL SELL OUT!! Get your tickets at hereticatlanta.com/tickets.
Electric Circus (Official Atlanta Pride Women’s Event)
Saturday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
My Sister’s Room (MSR)
Hosted by My Sister’s Room (MSR), this is the main event for nonbinary, trans, and queer women. MSR is incredibly proud to be an official sponsor of Atlanta Pride and proud to be Georgia’s only lesbian bar. Get ready for a night of big energy, big performances, music, dancing, and all the Electric Circus madness you know and love. Tickets and info at mysistersroom.com.
FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
Family Fun Zone, presented by Huntington Bank
Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m
Sunday, Oct. 11, 1 to 5 p.m.
Piedmont Park Picnic Pavilion
Kids of all ages are welcome! The Family Fun Zone offers a safe space for families. Enjoy Drag Story Hour, a pop-up library, face painting, crafts, games, and much more! New this year, enjoy performances by the Alliance Theater.
Drag Story Hour
Saturday, Oct. 10, Noon to 1 p.m.
Piedmont Park Picnic Pavilion
Bring your friends and family to enjoy stories, coloring sheets, and lots of fun on the lawn of the Picnic Pavilion, located in the Atlanta Pride “Family Fun Zone,” directly across from Greystone in Piedmont Park! Drag Story Hour Atlanta invites you to join our host, ALABAMA, who will be reading books and serving looks.
Teen Lounge
Saturday, Oct. 10, 3 to 5 p.m.
Piedmont Park Greystone Patio
Atlanta Pride offers a safe and affirming space for those who identify as LGBTQ+ and are allied with the community. Our younger community members (youth aged 11-17) are invited to relax on Greystone’s Patio. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the Festival while finding connection and community with old and new friends. This year’s Teen Lounge is supported by our friends at Brave Trails.
MARCHES AND PARADE
Trans March and Rally
Saturday, Oct. 10
1:15 p.m.: Assembly and Rally
1:45 p.m.: March steps off
Piedmont Park Charles Allen Gate
A community-led march that honors, celebrates, and raises visibility for Trans and nonbinary people. This march uplifts the beauty, diversity, and resilience of the Trans community while creating space to demand visibility, equity, and justice. All trans people and trans allies are invited to join us with positive banners and signs. We encourage individuals to make and bring signs supportive of trans issues..
Bi+ Pan March and Rally
Saturday, Oct. 10
3 p.m.: Assembly and Rally
3:30 p.m.: March steps off
Piedmont Park Charles Allen Gate
Organized by and for the community, this march celebrates Bisexual and Pansexual identities, affirming their place and pride within the LGBTQ+ family. Bi+ Pan folks of all gender identities and expressions, and allies, are welcome to march! This march is hosted with the support of Bi+ Georgia. Participants are encouraged to bring signs and banners with messages that support the Bi+ Pan community.
Dyke March and Rally
Saturday, Oct. 10
4:30 p.m.: Assembly and Rally
5 p.m.: March steps off
Piedmont Park Charles Allen Gate
A community-driven march dedicated to the empowerment of women, femmes, and their allies. This inclusive event brings together women-loving women (trans-inclusive) and femme-identified people to foster solidarity, strength, and visibility. This march is dedicated to empowering the women of Atlanta and beyond. The Dyke March, with its focus on women, unites to create an atmosphere of inclusion and community. This march is hosted in cooperation with Atlanta Dykes on Bikes, who lead the march on their bikes.
Atlanta Pride Parade
Sunday, Oct. 11
Noon: Parade steps off
Peachtree Street / Tenth Street
The annual Atlanta Pride Parade, presented by Delta Air Lines, is the largest in Atlanta. Join tens of thousands of spectators as we get “Louder & Prouder!” Celebrate your pride in the streets of Midtown with your family, friends, and neighbors!
FESTIVAL AREAS
Flag Raising Ceremony
Friday, Oct. 9, 1 to 1:30 p.m
Piedmont Park Meadow
New for 2026, Atlanta Pride is proud to hoist the Rainbow Flag high above Piedmont Park, the birthplace and home of the Atlanta Pride Festival. Join us as we raise the flag and officially open the park for this year’s celebration.
Yoga
Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 to 10 a. m.
Piedmont Park Dockside
Give your Pride weekend a mindful start! Join us for Pride Yoga with the Well(Being) Collective Atlanta. This is an all-levels yoga class on the dock. Please bring your mat.
AIDS Memorial Quilt
Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
10:30 a.m.: Reading of Names
Sunday, Oct. 11, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Piedmont Park Oak Hill
Featuring panels specific to Georgia, this display is part of the National AIDS Memorial’s efforts to bring the Quilt to communities across the United States to raise greater awareness and education about HIV/AIDS and to remember those lost to the pandemic. Volunteers will have information on the AIDS Memorial Quilt’s history and how to create and submit a panel.
Community History Exhibit
Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11, 3 to 8 p.m.
Piedmont Park Oak Hill
Information from local Atlanta archives will be available near the AIDS Memorial Quilt display. Hosted in partnership with the City of Atlanta Department of City Planning’s Office of Design, Historic Preservation Studio, guests can learn about the City’s “Preserving Pride” initiative, as well as other local archival collections.
LGBTQ+ History Display and Zine Workshop
Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Piedmont Park Visitor’s Center
Atlanta Pride is all about celebrating and preserving our past, and we’ve partnered with Georgia State University’s Library Special Collections and Archives to make it happen. Stop by the Visitor’s Center to check out an exciting display of archival treasures that tell the story of LGBTQ+ life in Georgia and the journey of Atlanta Pride itself. Join Mya Maier from the DeKalb County Public Library for a Zine Making activity.
Car and Motorcycle Show
Saturday, Oct. 10, 10:45 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Roadway inside the Park between 12th and 14th Street Gates
Special thanks to the Lambda Car Club and the Lost Boys Motorcycle Club. Antique, classic, specialty-interest cars and motorcycles will be displayed.
Artist Market
Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a. . to 8 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11, 3 to 8 p.m.
Piedmont Park Mayor’s Grove
The Atlanta Pride Artist Market is a curated space highlighting original work from local artists and makers. Artists are selected through a juried application process focused on original, handmade work across categories such as ceramics, painting, jewelry, photography, sculpture, and more. Enjoy the art and purchase something to take home!
Pride Recovery Meetup
Saturday, Oct. 10
Noon to 2 p.m.
Piedmont Park Greystone Patio
Atlanta Pride strives to ensure all community members feel supported during the festival. This intentional space will serve as a time to gather and find mutual support. The meeting is open to those on all paths of recovery. This event is offered in partnership with Danielle Bonanno Consulting.
Wellness Zone, presented by Huntington Bank
Saturday, Oct. 10, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 11, 3 to 6 p.m.
North End of the Meadow
We know that having a place to take a break and a respite from the heat and sounds can be critical for those with sensory sensitivities and make the difference for someone wanting to attend Pride. This year’s Wellness Zone is available for those needing a haven, respite, and a place to decompress and relax. The Wellness Zone will be located near the Coca-Cola Stage in the back of the Meadow.
COMMUNITY ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTS
Shooting Star Cabaret
Saturday, Oct. 10, 4 to 6 p.m.
Community Stage, presented by Visit Athens
Hosted by Mona Lott, the Shooting Star Cabaret features the rising stars of local Atlanta drag and performance art.
Queer Your Gender Dance Party
Saturday, Oct. 10, 6;30 to 8:30 p.m.
Community Stage, presented by Visit Athens
Queers of all stripes will be getting down to the sounds of DJ Ganymede at this free event. All are welcome!
Fabulously Fierce: An LGBTeaseQ+ Burlesque Show
Sunday, Oct. 11, 3:15 to 4:15 p.m.
Community Stage, presented by Visit Athens
The show redefines Burlesque entertainment by challenging society’s perspective on what is worthy of being represented onstage and in the performing arts community.
A Chaka Moment…in the Park
Sunday, Oct. 11, 3 to 7 p.m.
Coca-Cola Main Stage
Chaka Khan Hacienda comes to the park and closes out Pride weekend with Leiomy from HBO Max’s Legendary, Armana Khan, Brigitte Bidet, Jash Jay, Montre, Ree de la Vega, Abby Dear, and more!
Sweet Tea: A Queer Variety Show
Sunday, Oct. 11, 5:15 to 6:45 p.m.
Community Stage, presented by Visit Athens
Join us for an Atlanta Pride installment of SWEET TEA, produced by TAYLOR ALXNDR of the House of ALXNDR, Atlanta’s longest-running queer variety show.
Starlight Cabaret
Sunday, Oct.r 11, 7:15 p.m. to 9:15 p.m.
Coca-Cola Main Stage
Closing out the yearly Atlanta Pride Festival on the Coca-Cola stage since 1989, the Starlight Cabaret is the LARGEST outdoor drag show in the United States. Hosted by Phoenix, Atlanta Icon, and RuPaul’s Drag Race alum, the Starlight Cabaret boasts over 20 drag acts at the top of their craft who live and work in the Atlanta Metropolitan area.
