Your Guide to Pride: Durham, NC

Durham has been the home of bold, courageous, and trailblazing for more than 40 years. Yes, Durhamites celebrate National Pride Month in June – and show their pride and solidarity throughout the year – by building intentionally queer-friendly spaces and throwing events and parties around the city. We also celebrate Pride: Durham, NC, our annual series of signature community events for and with the LGBTQ+ community during the first weekend of the fall season, usually toward the end of September.

Pride: Durham, NC has built on a long heritage, from the first public demonstration for gay civil rights in North Carolina to a full weekend of honoring, supporting, and celebrating LGBTQIA people and their families and loved ones in Durham, across North Carolina and beyond.

So, show up as your most radiant, authentic self to have a gay old time in the Bull City.

Insider tip: as you’ll see below, this is a very busy weekend in Durham, so we recommend making your plans ASAP.

The History of Pride: Durham, NC

Like many present-day Pride celebrations, Durham’s annual gathering started out as an act of protest. In 1981, 125 people stood to denounce an incident of homophobic violence at Little River in an effort to ensure justice was served. This first public demonstration for gay civil rights in North Carolina was followed in 1986 by a march on Duke University campus. This gathering became the NC Pride March, traveling around the state for the next 14 years, growing every year.

In June of 2000, a loyal crowd of thousands of Durhamites gathered to march despite a lack of organization and, in the aftermath of the disarray, it was decided that the NC Pride March should remain in Durham each year and be moved to the fall to take advantage of nicer weather. NC Pride later dissolved, and the LGBTQ Center of Durham has stewarded the organizing and fundraising of these special programs since 2018, building upon the legacy of the original protest years ago.

Now, Pride: Durham, NC has grown from the 1986 march to a free multi-day festival, including a concert that features several local performances and presentations, a pop-up market downtown with dozens of LGBTQ+ owned vendors and businesses, the beloved parade and more, supported by several local organizations and institutions, including Duke University and Duke University Health System, Durham County, the City of Durham, and Southern Vision Alliance.

Learn more about the history of Pride in Durham, NC here

Pride: Durham, NC Event Highlights

Pride: Durham, NC has continued to grow, and this year the long-running parade and community gathering has blossomed into a three-day event and celebration. The theme for 2025, "We Are the Rainbow," calls all celebrants to come together and to recognize our collective power, particularly with our coalitions, our environments, and our futures. Join in this celebration for one or more of these events.

Festival Dates: September 26-28, 2025

Event Lineup:

Friday, September 26: Justice Concert & Rally

Head to CCB Plaza for a concert starting at 5 p.m. featuring local musicians, poets, and activists.

Saturday, September 27: Community Parade & March + Health & Wellness Kickback

This year's parade will begin at noon at Duke's East Campus. Immediately following will be the Health and Wellness Kickback, a resource fair with lots of free programs and services, until 5 p.m.

Sunday, September 28: Vendor & Food Truck Market

Wrap up the weekend of Pride: Durham, NC by supporting local LGBTQIA+ makers at Durham Central Park. Food trucks from all around town will be parked nearby so you can enjoy a meal while you shop.

Visit the Pride: Durham, NC webpage for these details and more!

Queer-Friendly Spaces in Durham

Durham proudly welcomes everyone, everywhere, so if you’re visiting for Pride and want to find the safest spots to gather between public gatherings, you won’t have to look far. Queer-owned downtown spaces like The Pinhook, Arcana Bar and Lounge, Queeny’s, Club ERA and The Velvet Hippo Bar and Lounge provide friendly spaces and great food and drinks near the festivities, and you can find self-care, retail, art and more at spaces listed in our blog.

Things to Do in Durham During the Pride: Durham, NC Weekend

Take a break from the crowds or keep the party going after the official events end with other events happening around Durham. Find even more options on our events calendar.

• Freaky Friday Dance Party! — Club ERA invites you to "give those Freak vibes to the dance floor" on Friday night. Pregame Pride: Durham with the weekly recurring Freaky Friday Dance Party.
  
• Drink, Drag, Dance, Repeat! — Every Saturday is a dance party at Club ERA, especially during Pride: Durham. Head here after the kickback on Saturday to kick it up a notch. It's a new era every week at Club ERA, so expect this dance party to be on theme.
• Lutra Brunch Pop-up — Recharge after a fun filled weekend of celebration with a delicious brunch at Cheeni. Hosted by LGBTQIA+ owned Lutra Bakery, the menu will feature delicious eats like breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, bread pudding, 100-layer hash browns and more.
  
• The Patio Dance Parties: Clueless Fridays by the Pool at Unscripted – Say it with us – pool party. On the roof. On CCB Plaza.

Where to Stay During Pride: Durham, NC

• Durham Marriott City Center – Marriott City Center is on the north side of CCB Plaza in the heart of downtown.

• 21c Museum Hotel – Explore the hotel’s 24/7 art collection and take a selfie with the fuchsia penguins before joining the fun downtown.

• The Durham Hotel – A locally-owned, mid-century boutique hotel with a celebrated restaurant and rooftop bar.

• Residence Inn Durham McPherson/Duke University Medical Center – The Residence Inn has apartment-style suites, heated pool and fitness center near the Brightleaf District. A comfortable choice that’s conveniently located within a quick walk to CCB Plaza and Duke East Campus.

• Unscripted Durham – An eclectic hotel with a rooftop deck, pool and unique cocktail and cuisine options, just east of CCB Plaza.