By Connect Staff
Welcome to our guide celebrating the vibrant and inclusive spirit of Tennessee’s statewide pride festivals! Join us as we traverse the Volunteer State, exploring the colorful tapestry of pride events that embody love, unity, and a deep sense of pride in being true to oneself. Get ready to be immersed in a joyous atmosphere where people from all walks of life come together to create lasting memories.
MIDDLE TENNESSEE
FRANKLIN PRIDE
franklinpridetn.com
Saturday, June 3, 2023
Harlinsdale Park, Franklin
Franklin Pride is a one-day, family-friendly festival with music, food trucks, a kid zone, a teen zone, over 100 vendor booths, and more. Franklin Pride will kick off with a Pre-Party at MAFIAoza’s – Franklin on Friday night from 6 – 9 PM, upstairs, with drink specials and 10% off all food orders.
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PULASKI PRIDE
facebook.com/pulaskitnpride
Saturday, June 3, 2023
Historic Pulaski Square, Pulaski Pulaski Pride will feature live music, vendors, art, food, a dunk tank, a drag queen meet and greet, and even alpacas! Pulaski Pride is organized by the Giles County Inclusivity Coalition.
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UPPER CUMBERLAND PRIDE
ucpride.org
Saturday, June 3, 2023
Dogwood Park, Cookeville
Upper Cumberland Pride encompasses 16 counties in Middle Tennessee. The FREE entry event is happening on Saturday, June 3rd, 2023 from 11 am – 5 pm in Dogwood Park. The theme this year is We Are Here! The opening ceremony will include a reflection on the history of Pride and the history of Upper Cumberland Pride.
There will be 50+ vendors along with representation from other local organizations, food trucks, unicorn rides, a kids’ craft tent, music, and, of course, a drag show. New this year is a beer tent!
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COLUMBIA PRIDE
www.facebook.com/ColumbiaTNPride
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Riverwalk Park, Columbia
This year’s Columbia Pride will feature vendors, crafts, non-profits, and food trucks! There will also be a kids’ zone, beer garden, and live entertainment including music and a drag show. Oh yeah, and DOG ADOPTIONS! There is something for everyone at this family-friendly event!
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DICKSON PRIDE
https://fb.me/e/H1XtQ9EY
Saturday, June 10, 2023
Holland Park, Dickson
Dickson’s FIRST-EVER pride festival will be taking place June 10th at Holland Park in Downtown Dickson. There will be several vendors participating in the festival along with food trucks.
The day’s festivities will culminate with a pride pageant hosted by Duchess Dynamite at the Railroad Museum starting at 5:30 pm.
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NASHVILLE PRIDE
nashvillepride.org
June 24 – 25, 2023
Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, Nashville
This two-day festival brings it all. There is a pride parade that routes through downtown Nashville. The festival touts live music on multiple stages throughout the day! Vendors throughout the park, a drag stage, food trucks, beverages, a youth area with crafts and games, and, of course, the kids and family area for face painting and more!
There is also a VIP area, dedicated food and bar services, and shaded areas for lounging.
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NASHVILLE BLACK PRIDE
nashvilleblackpride.org
October 20 – 22, 2023
Multiple Locations, Nashville
The annual Nashville Black Pride celebration is a multi-day event. There is a Legacy & Student Scholarship Awards Dinner for the Opening Reception and a vendor marketplace, day party, town hall, live music, and artist panels on the second day. The third day includes time to come together and a closing ceremony.
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BORO PRIDE
www.facebook.com/boropridetn
Date TBD
Location TBD, Murfreesboro
The date and location might still be on “To Be Determined” status but the fun is already scheduled! You can be sure to expect live music and entertainment, drag queens and kings, vendors, food and beverages, and a kids’ zone. BoroPride is a program of the Tennessee Equality Project Foundation.
WEST TENNESSEE
MID-SOUTH PRIDE (MEMPHIS)
midsouthpride.org
June 1 – 4, 2023
Robert Church Park, Memphis
While the Festival and Pride Parade are the cornerstones of Memphis Pride Fest, the entire celebration (known as Memphis Pride Fest Weekend) spans four days beginning with Drag N Drive on Thursday, a dance party on Friday Night, the signature festival and parade on Saturday, and winding down with a Drag Brunch on Sunday.
The Pride Festival is a diverse and community-friendly festival that includes live entertainment on 2 stages, over 150 vendors, a food truck park, a kids’ area, and more
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TRI-STATE BLACK PRIDE
tristateblackpride.com
June 15 – 18, 2023
Various Locations, Memphis
The 2023 Theme is “The Time Is Now” People, Purpose, & Power. This year you can expect an opening ceremony including live music, awards, hors d’oeuvres, and a cocktail hour. There will also be educational sessions, a ballroom party, a drag brunch, a rooftop party, and a music festival.
EAST TENNESSEE
GATLINBURG PRIDE DAY
appalachianoutreach.org
Sunday, June 4, 2023
Mynatt Park, Gatlinburg
This year will mark the third annual pride march in Gatlinburg. It will kick off near Ripley’s Aquarium. A potluck picnic will follow at Mynatt Park. Appalachian Outreach will also be hosting its third annual Queer in Sevier variety show on September 2 at the Sevier Civic Center.
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SOKNO PRIDE
soknopride.org
June 10, 2023
Sevier Ave, Knoxville
SoKno Pride began in 2021 on Sevier Ave as a simple drag show brunch. From there it quickly expanded into the South Knoxville neighborhood coming together to support the LGBTQIA+ community. SoKno Pride focuses on raising funds and donating to other local non-profit organizations. This year they plan to have 147 vendors, live entertainment including drag performers across seven stages, and kids’ areas so all can take part.
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TRI-PRIDE (BRISTOL)
tripridetn.org
Saturday, September 23, 2023
Founders Park, Johnson City
After completing their first Tri-Cities Trifecta, Tri-Pride will be back in Johnson City, TN! The parade will be downtown culminating at Founders Park and pavilion for the festival. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and the festival begins immediately after, around 12:00 p.m. The TriPride Festival is a FREE, good-for-all-ages event that will feature live performances, vendors and exhibitors, health services, food trucks, and alcohol for purchase.
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KNOXVILLE PRIDE
knoxpride.com
October 6 – 8, 2023
World’s Fair Park, Knoxville
While organizers of Tennessee’s annual Knoxville Pride Festival and parade have said they may cancel the organization’s October festivities with the passage of the anti-drag bill, they did announce via social media at the end of May that there are plans for a night march on October 6, the Pride Fest on October 7, and Makers Market on October 8. Stay tuned to the website and social for more details as they become available.
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CHATTANOOGA PRIDE
chattanoogapride.com
October 7 – 8, 2023
TBD, Chattanooga
This year the Chattanooga Pride Festival will be held over the course of two days. The first night will be an 18+ evening event with the second day hosting the vendor market and family-friendly events. Chattanooga Pride is managed by the 501(c)3 non-profit Tennessee Valley Pride.
