Charlotte Pride is back! Details for the uptown festival and parade in 2022
The Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade is coming back. After two years of virtual and limited gatherings because of COVID-19, The event will return to uptown Charlotte this summer, bringing connections and community in one of the region’s largest LGBTQ Pride events.
Joshua Jernigan, a queer parent and founder of Gender Education Network, has been among those looking forward to the event’s return.
“Missing the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade for two years has been very hard for our family. Pride is a full, weekend-long family holiday for us. We all get new shirts and our kid gets a new Pride dress every year. We look forward to spending the entire weekend with other people and families just like us. I’m very hopeful and excited for the festival and parade’s return this year.”
When: Aug. 20-21
Where: The festival zone area will be located on South Tryon Street uptown.
New this year: A decade of record growth has organizers planning for an expansion — over 200,000 people attended in 2019. A variety of community events will lead up to the festival and take place over the weekend, taking note of the 20th anniversary of the event last year.
“Over the past two years, it’s been heartbreaking to see social media posts from LGBTQ people — both younger and older alike — lamenting the loss of what would have been their very first Pride event. Everyone remembers their first Pride — that very first moment they were surrounded by thousands of people just like them,” said Jerry Yelton, Charlotte Pride’s programs and development director. “In 2022, Charlotte Pride will ensure this opportunity exists in the Queen City,” they added.
How to join in:
- Applications for exhibit spaces and parade entries are available.
- The Charlotte Pride Programs Team offers year-round community involvement for volunteers.
- Plan a special event to coincide with Charlotte Pride Week, Aug. 12-19.
- Visit the website for more information.
[Related: With Pride returning to Charlotte, get familiar with these LGBTQ-friendly organizations]
This story was originally published February 16, 2022 at 12:43 PM.
