The LGBTQ+ community in St. Pete/Clearwater is exuberant, boisterous, and fiercely patriotic.
June is a time when they get together to commemorate the region's LGBT history.
With nearly 300,000 people attending the street parade alone last year, St. Pete Pride is the biggest celebration of its kind in the state and among the biggest in the United States.
June 22, 2024, Downtown St. Pete; St. Pete Pride Parade, hosted by Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
The largest procession to date is anticipated for 2024. The St Pete Pride Parade Day Festival, hosted by CAN Community Health, takes place in North and South Straub Parks starting at 2:00 pm. It includes two stages of entertainment, local merchants, food trucks, community partners, a family section, and more.
June 21, 2024, Jannus Live, St. Pete Pride Friday Night Concert featuring Sasha Colby
Jannus Live, officially kicking off Pride festival weekend, is the party of parties. A celebration including outstanding LGBTQIA+ performers, dancing music, and mixed drinks featuring Sasha Colby as a special guest. Sasha, a transgender activist, dancer, actress, and world-renowned performer, won Season 15 of RuPaul's Drag Race.
June 1, 2024, Grand Central District, Downtown St. Petersburg, sponsored by COCKtail - Pride Kick-Off
The "Pride Kick Off Party" in downtown St. Petersburg's Grand Central District serves as the festival's kickoff event, lasting one month. You may anticipate craft beer, cocktails, DJs, and live entertainment.
June 8, 2024, Youth and Family Day, North Straub Park, St. Petersburg
Participation in Pride is encouraged from all family members. On Saturday, June 8, there will be a special LGBTQ+ "Youth & Family Day" designed to help young queer people feel embraced and educate them about the community they are a part of. One of the main tenets of St. Pete Pride is queer visibility at every age.
June 28, 2024, The Museum of Fine Arts, presented by Love The Golden Rule, Inc. - Transtastic Celebration
Pride in St. Pete is about more than just having fun; events like the "Transtastic Celebration" provide a small-scale platform for the trans and non-binary population of the city to be heard and amplified. This is a major Pride Month event that coincides with the Trans March, which starts the St. Pete Pride Parade on June 22, 2024.
June 14–15, 2024: LGBTQIA+ Juneteenth Art & Music Festival - Shades of Pride, presented by Metro Inclusive Health
This two-day event is unique in that it combines slam poetry with a ballroom "Honours Ball." Expect the "Pride Power and Passion Party" throughout, along with a thorough introduction to ballroom culture from the renowned Kevin Prodigy! After "Shade Vs. Pride Slam Poetry," which is organized by Novacane, attendees can fully immerse themselves in an important aspect of LGBTQ+ culture.
Where to get food and beverages
The neighborhood is home to several LGBTQ+ eateries, bars, and nightclubs. Notable ones include Rachel Covello's "LickHer," a pop-up lesbian bar series, and the Mari Jean's "COCKtail," an ultra-up beat that's perfect before hitting the "WetSpot" party. The Saint, a Catholic-style pub where you may confess your sins in exchange for a martini, is also a must-see.
Where to lodge
Pride celebrations can be enhanced by staying at the wildly popular adults-only Mari Jean, where party-loving LGBTQ+ visitors can spend the evenings around the pool before hitting the on-site nightclub. Alternatively, The Saint Hotel is a short distance from St. Pete Beach for a more tranquil beach experience.
Where to go beaching
Recuperate on Sunset Beach and Pass-A-Grille after a day of festivities in downtown St. Petersburg.
Known for their laid-back vibe and beach bars that extend up into the waterfront, these beaches are warm and inviting and offer an ideal setting for unwinding and enjoying the sunset.
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