South Carolina
Pride Parade & Festival 2023

South Carolina Pride Parade & Festival 2023

The SC Pride Parade & Festival or Famously Hot South Carolina Pride as the Locals know it takes place in early Autumn in the capital city, Columbia as the temperatures cool a little and the parties last long into the night.

• Visiting South Carolina for Pride? Stay close to the state capitol building, close to all the pride activities and some of the city’s most popular gay and gay friendly bars and restaurants.

SC Pride

• South Carolina Pride is one of the later prides to take place in the United Stages, making it the perfect place to escape for some late season fun in the sun.
• SC Pride is one of the largest outdoor festivals in the city and the largest LGBT event in the state attracting more than 90,000 visitors.
• Stay at The Aolft Columbia downtown with high end in room amenities, city views and the hotel is within easy walking distance to the pride festivities.

Get Lit Night-Time Parade & Concert | Friday

• Warm up with a street party at 6 PM before walking in the Parade down Main Street, which starts at 7 PM.
• If you’re planning to watch from the sidelines, find the perfect spot along Main, anywhere between Richland and Lady Streets. Bonus points for snagging an outdoor table at Michael’s or The Grand for some of the best seats in the house.
• During the parade you will see colorfully lit floats and cars, creative costumes, and a sea of positive energy, all with music to make you want to dance.
• When the parade is over, the party doesn’t end. Follow it all up with a street dance and concert at 8 PM.

Famously Hot SC Pride Festival | Saturday,

• Spend the morning at Soda City Market for delicious artisanal food and more. Then stay on Main for the Famously Hot South Carolina Pride Festival from 12 – 9 PM. Here you can catch food & beverage vendors, community resources, and performances by nationally recognized acts like Deborah Cox, Sheena Easton, Phoenix, and more.
• If you’re going to the festival with the kids, look out for the Family Pride Area at Main & Washington Streets, where you’ll find the Richland Library bus. Head here to hang with other families and give the kids a chance to meet new friends.
• Drag Story Time starts at 12 PM and showcases favorite children’s books read aloud, along with a drag performer showcasing artistic expression during the reading.
• Other events take place in the lead up to the big weekend ranging from movie screenings at Nickelodeon Theater, to Sunday Funday at Craft & Draft. The festival week itself brings in thousands of people, creating a positive buzz in this capital city.

Gay Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia has a surprisingly fervent gay nightlife scene. A couple of the town’s most popular LGBTQ+ bars are within view of the state capitol building, and a few more mixed but gay-friendly bars and hangouts are in the Five Points retail and entertainment neighborhood, not far from the University of South Carolina.

• The Capital Club: One of the longest-running gay bars in the Southeast, and the oldest in Columbia, the laid-back Capital Club is a block from the capitol building downtown. It’s along a stretch of Gervais with several restaurants and mixed bars.
• PT’s 1109 is arguably the most popular gay bar and nightclub in Columbia, with a good-size dance floor and drink specials. The venue has drag shows, karaoke, and a variety of parties.
• Art Bar is packed on Friday nights when queer folk age 21 and up hit the dance floor. The rest of the week, the venue draws a mixed crowd to its live shows, karaoke (on Wednesdays), Trivia Nights, and other festivities. It’s near Capital Club and PT’s 1109

Recommended Hotels in SC

Here are the Hotels we recommend that keep you close to all the action,

Graduate Columbia,  Hilton Columbia,  Hampton Inn,  SpringHill Suites