24 Great Places to Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Without a Crowd

World Pride, the massive global LGBTQ+ event that takes place May 17-June 8 in Washington, D.C., is expected to attract at least two million visitors. However, travelers looking to partake in pride experiences without crowds can find many interesting options in smaller cities nationwide and abroad.

Here are two dozen great places to celebrate pride on a relaxed, smaller scale. 

Just Outside the Capital

Travelers already planning to visit D.C. for World Pride may also want to consider attending complementary celebrations. Alexandria, Virginia, offers its own array of activities that coincide with World Pride, including a fair, market and performances. Just a short drive away, Loudoun County, Virginia, expects around 5,000 participants at its Loudon Pride Festival on May 31 for a day of live entertainment and family-friendly activities.

In addition, Baltimore Pride runs June 8-15, which is perfect for extending the celebration after World Pride concludes.

Pride Dupes Elsewhere in the East

In Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Pride takes place May 30-June 1, a three-day festival that’s jam-packed with numerous special events across the city, including a parade, an LGBTQ+ pop music festival and the Bigger, Gayer Picniq, an open-air gathering with a buffet-style picnic and live entertainment. 

In Ohio, meanwhile, upcoming celebrations include Pride in the CLE, which takes place in Cleveland on June 7, and Columbus Pride, which consists of a festival on June 13 and a march on June 14.  

Southern Pride Celebrations

Louisville, Kentucky, stands out by hosting two distinct pride celebrations at different times of the year. The first one of the season, Kentuckiana Pride, is slated for June 21 and features a parade through the trendy NuLu neighborhood, followed by a lively festival on the banks of the Ohio River that always has international performers; this year, it's British pop star Natasha Bedingfield. The Louisville Pride Festival, meanwhile, will celebrate its 10^th anniversary when it kicks off on September 6, with live entertainment, food and vendors. 

Also taking place during a cooler month is Chattanooga Pride, which is scheduled for October in Tennessee. In Florida, the city of Pensacola hosts multiple pride events, including the beachy Pride Weekend on the last weekend in May and PensaPride on June 28. 

Midwest and Beyond

Among the noteworthy smaller pride celebrations in the midwest is the Outreach Magic Pride Festival, which takes place in Madison, Wisconsin on August 18, complete with local LGBTQ+ identified performers, vendors, games and activities for attendees of all ages.

In the Rockies, Breckinridge, Colorado hosts an event with many activities that align with its natural setting. Set for June 13-15, Breck Pride includes diversions like Pride Climbing (a rock climbing wall event), outdoor yoga sessions, art activities and exhibits, a 5K Pride Run and fireside chats with LGBTQ+ athletes and influencers. 

In New Mexico, the tourist-popular city of Santa Fe hosts the Pride Santa Fe, which takes place on June 28 with a parade and festival with live music, drag and cultural events. 

Pride Dupes on the West Coast

Northern California’s wine country offers multiple options. Sonoma County Pride takes place May 30-June 1 in Santa Rosa, with parties, a festival and a parade, while Russian River Pride, which takes place in the charming town of Guerneville on September 20. 

California’s capital, meanwhile, hosts Sacramento Pride on June 14-15, with a parade, festival and live entertainment. Further north, Redding hosts Redding Pride on June 8-14. 

In Washington state, the city of Bellevue kicks off pride festivities with an incredibly pet-friendly event: the Paws & Pride Dog Walk, which takes place on May 31 and includes a dog walk around Bellevue Downtown Park, a post-walk mimosa/beer garden and the cleverly named RuPaw’s Dawg Costume Contest. 

The following day, on June, the city of Bellevue officially commemorates pride month with the raising of a pride flag as well as a party with food and entertainment. 

International Pride Dupe Options

For travelers seeking international pride experiences, several smaller cities offer compelling options. 

In Alberta, Canada, the Jasper Pride & Ski Festival runs April 4-13 with drag performances, pride-themed après-ski parties, and outdoor adventures. Edmonton hosts both the Edmonton Drag Festival (May 30-June 1) and Edmonton Pride Festival (August 22-24). Banff Pride is scheduled for October 3-13, which organizers call the highest-elevation pride celebration in Canada.

In Australia, the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, one of the world’s largest pride events, has already wrapped up for the year. But Canberra is ready to carry on the positive vibes with SpringOUT, which takes place throughout November, with parties, performances, and community events.

In Europe, Cambridge Pride takes place in England on June 14, while the Danish city of Aarhus hosts Aarhus Pride on May 31. 

Caribbean pride options include San Juan Pride, which takes place the first Saturday in June in Puerto Rico’s capital, and Curacao Pride, which takes place September 26-October 5.  

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