Event Dates
From: Friday, May 29, 2026
To: Sunday, June 28, 2026
St. Pete Pride 2026
St. Pete Pride Tampa festival draws around 100,000 marchers to the parade in downtown St. Petersburg's Historic Grand Central District.
St. Pete Pride 2026
St Pete Pride is Florida's largest Pride celebration with events running throughout the month of June culminating in a weekend of parties and parades. Events kick off in late May with the Miss St Pete Pride Pageant followed by the Pride Kick-Off Party.
- Visiting St Pete for pride? Stay in the Sunset Beach area and enjoy the best hotels, great views and of course, the world famous sandy beach.
The Event
- Next Edition: Friday 29th May, 2026 – Sunday 28th June, 2026
- Florida's Largest LGBTQIA+ Pride Celebration returns to St.Pete in June, 2026 with a series of concerts, festivals and parades.
- Events kick off with a Pride Kickoff Weekend at the end of May, followed by a series of themed days and concerts.
- Celebrations end with the Parade on Saturday and the Street fair on Sunday, on the final weekend in June.
Pride Kick Off Weekend
- Friday 29th May 2026 – Sunday 31st May 2026.
- Friday, May 29 – Kickoff Street Fair on Central – Central Avenue – The first big street fair weekend of the season with vendors, community booths, and outdoor hangouts.
- Saturday, May 30 – Pickleball Tournament & Beach Party – Venue: TBA (tournament) / Venue: TBA (beach party) – Sport in the daytime, then a beach party vibe to keep the weekend moving.
- Sunday, May 31 – Sundays are a Drag Brunch – Venue: TBA – Drag, brunch, and a social Sunday crowd to wrap the kickoff weekend.
St. Pete Pride Parade & Festival
- Saturday 27th June, 2026 – St. Pete Pride Tampa festival draws around 100,000 marchers to the parade to North Straub and South Straub Park, as well as 350,000+ visitors enjoying the area’s clubs and beaches.
- The Festival will begin at 2 p.m. on both sides of the parade route. North Straub Park will have a variety of local vendors, food trucks, a DJ, and a beer garden.
- North and South Straub Parks will host the main entertainment stages. These are free events and open to the public.
- The Trans March will step off in Vinoy Park at 5:15 p.m., followed by the St. Pete Pride Parade – which steps off at 6 p.m. from Albert Whitted Park north to Vinoy Park along Bayshore Drive.
- Bayshore Drive is ideal for watching floats, community groups, and high-energy crowds.
- Alternatively, head to Vinoy Park for the finale, a great spot to watch the parade finish, catch the Trans March start, and be part of the closing moments of the festival.
Sunday Pride Street Fair
- Sunday 28th June, 2026 – From noon until 5 pm – St. Pete Pride’s popular Sunday Street fair is returning, bringing tens of thousands of all ages to the Grand Central District to enjoy block after block of entertainment, vendors, food, community partners, and interactive carnival games.
- With street performers and hundreds of participating businesses and organizations, there will be something for everyone. This is a free event and open to the public.
Pride Pool Party
- Awaiting dates, Typically the first Sunday in June – The Hollander Hotel hosts the annual St Pete Pride Pool party from 3 pm until late. Enjoy poolside cocktails, dancing and sexy guys in speedos!
Other Events
- Sunday, June 7 – Family Day – Venue: TBA – A daytime, family-friendly Pride event with a relaxed pace and all-ages fun.
- Thursday, June 11 – Stonewall Reception – Venue: TBA – A reception-style evening that nods to Pride history and brings supporters together.
- Saturday, June 13 – Lipstick Masquerade – Venue: TBA – Dress up, masks, and a party-night feel with a Pride Month twist.
- Friday, June 19 – Shades of Pride – Venue: TBA – A themed Pride Month event focused on community, culture, and connection.
- Thursday, June 25 – Transtastic – Venue: TBA – A trans-led spotlight event with performances, community, and celebration.
- Friday, June 26 – Concert & Night Market – Venue: TBA – Live music paired with an evening market for shopping, food, and late-night strolling.
Cocktail St Pete
- Throughout the month – Expect a month-long series of parties and events at Cocktails St.Pete, the home of The WET Pool Bar, The BackRoom and the Mari Jean Hotel.
- Enjoy block parties, several themed tea dances, charity bingo, boylesque shows and a main stage celebration and closing party.
- Major parties typically take place on the Saturday and Sunday leading up to the Pride weekend and during the Pride Parade.
Gay Beach
- The LGBTI area of the St Petersburg Municipal Beach on Sunset Beach should definitely be on your “to-do” list. The long, pristine stretch of white sand is particularly popular on weekend afternoons as clubbers recover with a sun bathe and a refreshing dip. The city’s facilities include showers and toilets.
The Pink Palace
- Nicknamed The Pink Palace for its pink façade and grandeur architecture, The Don CeSar has welcomed guests since its opening in 1928.
- The hotel has recently been completely refurbished, offering some of the best views in St. Pete and has been a long-time ally of the gay community.
Recommended Hotels in St. Pete
Stay close to the pride parties and events at the following recommended hotels:
Hollander Hotel, Hampton Inn & Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, The Vinoy
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Where we stay!
The Vinoy is our edtors choice
when we are in St. Petersburg
Official Website
For further information and advice on
St Pete Pride Festival visit The Website
Gay Map of St.Pete, Tampa, Florida
Arguably the largest and most popular gay destination on Florida's Gulf Coast, the St. Petersburg region has a good mix of gay nightspots. The highest concentration is just west of downtown in the Grand Central District, but there are others in the beach communities and nearby cities of Clearwater and Dunedin. A mixture of artists, hipsters, visionaries, LGBTIs have reinvented St Pete and the balmy Florida air gives even the city’s oldest citizens a youthful vigor. booking.com our hotel partner .
Address: 501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Set on the waterfront, The Vinoy feels grand, polished, and historic.
- It suits travelers who want a resort base rather than a nightlife hotel.
- The public spaces and marina setting give it real St. Pete character.
- It is not close to the main gay nightlife strip in Grand Central.
- A short Uber gets you to the bars, then back to a quieter stay.
- Best for upscale downtime, city views, and a more classic hotel feel.
- Website
Address: 300 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Downtown hotel in a restored historic building.
- LGBTQ+ friendly but not a gay-focused property.
- Walkable to the Pier, Beach Drive, and museums.
- Not close to Grand Central gay nightlife strip.
- About 5-10 min Uber to bars like COCKtail or Enigma.
- Best for a central, practical stay rather than nightlife.
- Website
Address: 80 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
- Downtown hotel on Beach Drive near the waterfront.
- LGBTQ+ friendly with a relaxed mixed crowd.
- Walkable to restaurants, museums, and the Pier.
- Not close to Grand Central gay nightlife strip.
- Around 5-10 min Uber to bars like COCKtail and Enigma.
- Best for a central stay with easy daytime access.
- Website
Address: 421 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg
- Boutique hotel in a 1930s building with real character.
- Pool, terrace, and Tap Room create a social daytime scene.
- LGBTQ+ friendly with a mixed crowd of guests and locals.
- Not in the Grand Central gay nightlife area.
- About 5-10 min Uber to bars along Central Ave.
- A relaxed base with atmosphere and steady day-to-night flow.
- Website
Address: 2355 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
- Pool bar inside Mari Jean Hotel with cabanas and loungers.
- Gay venue with a local, social daytime crowd.
- Strong drag brunch and themed pool party schedule.
- Direct access to COCKtail bar next door for nights.
- Day-to-night energy centred around the pool deck.
- Open: Daily 12pm-3am
Address: 2729 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
- Low-key gay bar with pool tables, patio space, and karaoke.
- More neighborhood hangout than polished Grand Central hotspot.
- Best for regulars, cheap drinks, and easy local nights out.
- Feels older, scruffier, and more relaxed than nearby pool venues.
- A solid stop for classic St. Pete gay bar energy.
- Open: Sun 1pm-2am, Mon 4pm-10pm, Tue 4pm-10pm,
- Wed 4pm-1am, Thu 4pm-1am, Fri 3pm-2am, Sat 1pm-2am
Address: 2355 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
- Main nightlife room in the Mari Jean complex.
- Gay venue with drag, karaoke, DJs, and watch parties.
- Feels slicker and bigger than a simple neighborhood bar.
- Best for a full evening that can spill into the poolside spaces.
- Strong entertainment focus right in Grand Central.
- Open: Daily 12pm-3am
- Website
Address: 1110 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33705
- Standalone gay bar and club with a stronger late-night feel.
- Known for drag shows, DJs, pool tables, and a covered patio.
- Feels more club-focused than the day-party spots in St. Pete.
- The long happy hour gives it a strong local pull early on.
- Best suited to nights that start with drinks and end on the dancefloor.
- Open: Daily 1pm-3am
Address: 2760 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712
- Hidden neighborhood gay bar with a tucked-away side entrance.
- Known for cheap strong drinks and a more local crowd.
- Smaller and scruffier than the bigger Central Ave venues.
- Patio and jukebox give it an old-school St. Pete feel.
- Best for an easy low-key night rather than a big party.
- Open: Daily 12pm-3am
Recommended Hotels in St. Petersburg’s
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels ST. PETERSBURG that keep you close to all the shops, restaurants & bars
The Vinoy
4 Star The grand-dame
- 4 Star, Historic Hotel on Tampa Bay
- A short walk to the gay bars
- Air-conditioned, ergonomic chair
- Historic hotel with on-site spa, heated pools, close to museums, offering rooms with ergonomic workspaces and entertainment.
Hollander Hotel
3 Star, Luxury
- 3 Star, Boutique with Poolside Bar
- A short walk to the gay bars
- Refrigerator, microwave, cable TV
- Boutique hotel with heated outdoor pool, on-site restaurant, close to Dali Museum, rooms feature modern amenities.
Hampton Inn & Suites
3 Star – Great Amenities
- 3 Star, Pool and Fitness Center
- A short walk to the gay bars
- Spacious rooms, cable TV, WiFi
- Features an outdoor pool, fitness center, spacious air-conditioned rooms with modern facilities, and complimentary breakfast.
Hyatt Place
3 Star – Perfect Location
- 3 Star, Centrally Located, Pool
- A short walk to the gay bars
- Refrigerator, flat-screen TV
- Central location, close to major attractions, offers an outdoor pool, 24-hour dining, and rooms with modern amenities.
Video Of The St Pete Pride Festival
Florida's Largest Pride – St. Pete Pride
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