2026 LGBTQ Pride Guide

Pride Journeys is proud to present the 2026 LGBTQ Pride Guide, a comprehensive and ongoing list of events celebrating the LGBTQ community. This list contains not only Pride events, but also fundraisers, circuit parties and other large-scale events targeting LGBTQ individuals. To submit content for consideration, please email joey@pridejourneys.com

2026

February 5 - March 1: Cape Town, South Africa - Cape Town Pride 2026, taking place from February 5 to March 1, bursts with color, music, and celebration, honoring love, culture, and identity across the city. Standout experiences include the iconic Pride Parade, the lively Mardi Gras, themed parties, literary gatherings, and community outreach events, making this one of Africa’s most dynamic LGBTQ+ festivals. Amid this joyful energy, Ellerman House, situated on the residential side of Cape Town, offers an intimate, luxurious retreat where guests can continue to celebrate and cherish love and culture at a slower, restorative pace.

February 17 – New Orleans, Louisiana: Bourbon Street Awards: Held annually on Mardi Gras Day, it’s the biggest costume competition of the year! Head to the French Quarter to watch as drag queens delight in elaborate attire. Free to attend, you just need to arrive early for a good spot. The contest kicks off around noon on the corner of St. Ann and Dauphine streets. 

February 21 - Tucson Pride – Arizona’s oldest pride event, Tucson Pride, is hosting its 48th pride event this fall. The 2025 event will fall later in the year than the usual September dates in the hopes of skipping out on the Arizona heat. This three-day event features a parade and festival complete with concerts, performances, pageants, food trucks, and more. 

March 1-June 30 - Greater Miami & Miami Beach: Rainbow Spring — Back for its 4th year, and Greater Miami shines even brighter from March through June with a vibrant LGBTQ welcome. While Greater Miami & Miami Beach is inclusive year-round, Rainbow Spring turns up the volume with special offers, LGBTQ-welcoming hotels, and a packed calendar of events — from the Winter Party Festival and Miami Beach Pride to the OUTshine Film Festival and SweetHeat Miami. No matter when you visit, Rainbow Spring makes it easy to plan an unforgettable getaway filled with music, culture, community, and celebration.

March 27-29 – New Orleans, Louisiana: Saints & Sinners LGBTQ+ Literary Festival: A program of the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival, SASFest has grown into an internationally-recognized event that brings together a who’s who of LGBTQ+ publishers, writers, and readers from throughout the United States and beyond. The festival, held over three days each spring at the Hotel Monteleone in the New Orleans French Quarter, features panel discussions and masterclasses around literary topics that provide a forum for authors, editors, and publishers to talk about their work for the benefit of emerging writers and the enjoyment of fans of LGBTQ+ literature. 

May 23–June 2 Toronto, Ontario: Inside Out Toronto 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival, Canada’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, Inside Out showcases innovative and diverse 2SLGBTQ+ films from Canada and around the world. The festival features premieres, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and special events, offering both in-theatre and digital programming that attracts international audiences.

https://insideout.ca 

June 10 – Chicago, Illinois: Pride Night at Wrigley FieldAn annual Pride celebration hosted by the Chicago Cubs at historic Wrigley Field, featuring Pride-themed programming, community recognition, and a welcoming atmosphere for LGBTQ+ fans and allies. Typically held during Pride Week in mid-June. More info: https://www.choosechicago.com/articles/festivals-special-events/lgbtq-chicago-events-through-the-year/

June 13 --  Galena, Illinois: Galena Pride Picnic, a family-friendly event that takes place in the picturesque Grant Park and offers an array of activities, performances, and vendors for all ages. Enjoy live music, engaging performances, and a variety of food and drink options as you join the community in celebrating Pride. Keep an eye out for more information and a detailed schedule of events as the picnic approaches. Don't miss this opportunity to show your support and create lasting memories with family and friends at this inclusive and joyous gathering.

June 20–21 – Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Pride FestHeld annually in the heart of Northalsted (Boystown), Chicago Pride Fest® is a two-day street festival featuring multiple music stages, drag performances, Youth Pride Space, the Proud Pet Parade, food and beverage vendors, and community showcases celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and pride. More info: https://northalsted.com/main-events/chicago-pride-fest/

June 20–29 Toronto, Ontario: Pride Toronto Festival. One of the largest Pride celebrations in North America, Pride Toronto is a multi-day festival celebrating the diversity, resilience, and creativity of the LGBTQ+ community. The city-wide celebration includes marches and parades, concerts, cultural programming, community events, and vibrant street festivals across downtown Toronto, drawing millions of visitors each year.

https://www.pridetoronto.com 

June 28 – Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Pride ParadeOne of the largest Pride parades in the U.S., drawing more than one million spectators annually. The parade features vibrant floats, marching bands, community organizations, and allies celebrating visibility, love, and equality throughout Chicago’s neighborhoods. More info: https://pridechicago.org/pride-parade/

August 7–9 – Chicago, Illinois: Northalsted Market DaysOne of the largest outdoor LGBTQ+ street festivals in the Midwest, held in Chicago’s historic Northalsted neighborhood and featuring multiple music stages, headline performers, dance parties, and hundreds of vendors. More info: https://northalsted.com/main-events/northalsted-market-days/