Charlotte Pride Parade drew over 200,000 attendees to uptown on August 17.
The 2025 festival moved to First Ward Park, while the parade stayed on Tryon Street.
Charlotte Pride continues a local LGBTQ+ advocacy tradition dating back to the 1980s.
On Sunday, Aug. 17, Charlotteans gathered for the annual Pride Festival and Parade — a modern celebration from Charlotte Pride, founded in 2000, that builds on a local advocacy legacy dating to the 1980s.
The event, which was first held in 2001 and now draws more than 200,000 attendees, marked a new chapter this year as the festival moved to First Ward Park, while the parade continued its vibrant march down Tryon Street.
Check out some of the scenes from the day 🌈:
USAA shows their pride with their intricate balloon float during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Mx. Charlotte Pride & Mr. Charlotte Pride look onto the crowd and wave as their float passes down North Tyron Street during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
The opening banner of the Charlotte Pride Parade walks down North Tyron Street during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Ms. Charlotte Pride 2025 waves to the crowd during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Families take in the sights and sounds during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Spectators cheer on passing parade floats as the crowds swell during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
The Charlotte Pride Band takes center stage on North Tyron Street to open the festivities during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
The Unitarian Universalist Community of Charlotte makes their way through the parade route during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Families take in the sights and sounds during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
The Charlotte Panther’s Cheerleaders make their way through the parade route during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
The HugCLT float travels down North Tyron Street as bubbles, fans, and music fill the parade route during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Families take in the sights and sounds during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
A trumpeter for the American Airlines float moves through the parade route during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
The Association of Flight Attendants march during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte to massive fanfare on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Novant Health brings out the bubble machines as their parade float moves down North Tyron Street during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
McDonald’s parade staff waves flags towards the crowd as the parade passes 7th Street during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Families take in the sights and sounds during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
Mayor Vi Lyles walks the parade route and interacts with the crowd at the beginning of the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
The Charlotte Black Pride Jr. Miss poses on the Charlotte Black Pride float prior to the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
U.S. Bank members cheer on as they make their way down the parade route during the 25th Charlotte Pride Parade in uptown Charlotte on August 17, 2025. Matthew Laczko For the Observer
This story was originally published August 17, 2025 at 7:13 PM.
