Your Guide to Celebrating Pride in Houston
Here's everything you need to know before attending Houston's Pride Parade and Festival.
Image: shutterstock/lazyllama
Pride Month is officially here, and there are plenty of ways to live out loud every day, in June and beyond. Whether you want to don your rainbow best and attend the numerous Pride celebrations going on around Houston, or take it easy this year and simply donate to one of the many LGBTQ+-centered community care organizations, there’s no wrong way to celebrate queerness. Just like there’s no wrong way to be queer.
The biggest Pride Month event happening in the city, this year and every year, is the annual Pride Houston 365. Hundreds of thousands of people descend on downtown for a truly massive festival and parade, the first of which was held way back in 1978. The festivities kick off on June 28 with the Houston LGBT+ Pride Celebration Festival at Houston City Hall (901 Bagby) from 11am to 6pm, followed by the famously lively parade at 7pm.
The events can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers, so we’ve put together a guide to help you know exactly what to expect, what to wear, and what to bring. Read below for our top tips.
DO
Plan ahead
Purchase your tickets now. Although entry into the parade route is free for everyone and doesn’t require a ticket, you are required to purchase a ticket in order to attend the festival at Houston City Hall. Tickets to the festival, including VIP tickets, can be purchased here. General entry into the festival starts at $13.12 and is free for children under the age of 12 and seniors 60 and older. VIP tickets run from $230.08 to $344.27 and include a slew of additional perks like an open bar, access to the main stage, cooling zones, grandstand parade viewing, catered food, and VIP swag bags. It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the layout of the festival and the parade map ahead of attending so you can optimize your experience.
Take public transit
The easiest way to get to the festival is to take public transportation. Since downtown parking is expensive and hard to find, consider parking your car in a neighborhood like Montrose or the East End before taking the MetroRail downtown. We recommend ordering a Metro Q card online ahead of the festival, since the kiosks at stations often break down.
Take care of yourself
June is always punishingly hot in Houston, so stay hydrated—and that doesn’t include only booze. If you plan to drink alcohol, it’s even more critical to keep up with your water and electrolyte intake to prevent dehydration and heat stroke. Empty clear bottles are allowed onto festival grounds, where they can then be topped off with water at filling stations spread throughout the festival.
It’s also important to bring ample sunscreen with you, especially if you burn easily, since there’s a likelihood you’ll have only limited access to shaded areas. If you’re worried that sunscreen won’t be enough, consider bringing an umbrella for shade.
And make sure to wear comfortable shoes—you’re going to be doing a lot of walking—and clothing. Absolutely choose clothing that shows off how comfortable you are in your own skin, but also consider something that you’re not going to want to rip off after a couple of hours in the sun and heat. And for good hygiene, bring hand sanitizer.
Enjoy family time
Pride is an opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime, and you’ll want to share those memories with the people in your life who are most important to you. If you’re bringing young children with you, you’re in luck, because the festival also includes a family fun zone at Tranquility Park that is perfect for all ages. This spot feature snow cones, face painting, hot dogs, popcorn, story time, and more.
DON’T
Don’t bring oversize bags or weapons
No large or oversize bags are allowed on festival grounds, and security will be checking everyone before they enter the festival. Fanny packs and drawstring bags are your best option. If you’re bringing a backpack, make sure it's on the smaller side so you can bring it inside. It also must be noted that no weapons are allowed on the grounds of the festival, either.
Don’t bring drugs
Although it might be tempting to light up or drop out at the festival, drugs and smoking are prohibited on festival grounds. And remember: They do check your bags.
Don’t bring pets to the festival
If you are bringing a pup with you, make sure it’s one of the human variety. You know, the kind that comes with a leather hood. Pets are unfortunately prohibited from festival grounds, so make sure you leave your pups at home.
Don’t bring outside food and drinks
Outside food and drinks are not allowed on festival grounds. There will be plenty of vendors slinging food and beverages, so leave your snacks (and flask!) at home.
Don’t bring cash
Pride Houston is a cash-free zone, and no cash will be accepted for any purchases. All purchases at the festival can be made via credit card, Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal.
What about...
Will There Be Two Pride Parades in Houston This Year?
Short answer: No.
Long answer: 2024 was a notable year in Houston’s queer history, owing to the fact that two Pride parades graced downtown instead of the usual one. New Faces of Pride emerged in 2023 in the wake of a financial mismanagement scandal on the part of Pride Houston 365, and organized a parade and festival of its own with the belief that doing so would rebuild a greater sense of trust among local LGBTQ+ organizations.
New Faces of Pride has since pivoted to serving as more of a year-round fundraising nonprofit, hosting occasional events and meetups throughout the city. This year, it swaps out a parade and festival for an indoor rodeo-themed gala event away from the heat. It will be held on June 21 at the Hilton Americas, with tables available starting at $2,000 and reserved via email. Proceeds benefit Out for Education, which provides scholarships for LGBTQ+ youth.
