Celebrate Asheville's Blue Ridge Pride Festival
Don’t miss out on Western North Carolina's biggest LGBTQ celebration of the year. While the national Pride Month occurs in June, Pride runs strong in Asheville throughout the month of September around the Blue Ridge Pride Festival, which takes place September 27, 2025 in downtown Asheville's Pack Square Park. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., visitors can experience the celebration, joy and inclusion of Asheville's lesbian, gay, trans and queer community and its allies with more than 200 vendors ranging from educational groups to communal support services to food and beverage vendors.
Blue Ridge Pride will kick off the day with its annual Welcoming Procession, a half-mile walk through downtown Asheville, starting at 10 a.m. In addition, the festival will feature two stages that will host various regional talent. Later in the afternoon participants can enjoy a performance of The Rocky Horror Picture Show along with Pride's famous DRAG Showcase on the main stage.
More 2025 Pride Festival Events
Other official Blue Ridge Pride Festival events include...
Blue Ridge Pride Drag Pageant @ Eulogy
Sunday, August 31, 2025 | 6:30 p.m.
Blue Ridge Drag Bingo
Friday, September 5, 7 p.m. | Hilltop Event Center
Tickets at BeardedLadyProductions.org
Blue Ridge Pride Festival @ Pack Square Park
Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Blue Ridge Pride's Official Closing Party
Tea Dance & Drag Show
Sunday, September 28, 1:30 p.m. | The Orange Peel
Featuring muisc by DJ Ganymede, drag queen Nicole Paige Brooks, and more.
Other Pride Events during September
Check back as we update with other great 2025 LGBTQ+ organizations hosting events throughout the month as well.
Stand Up Comedy: A Fundraiser for PFLAG Asheville
Sunday, September 14, 4 p.m. | Sovereign Kava
This fundraiser for PFLAG Asheville, an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, is hosting an afternoon of comedy, featuring Justin Blackburn, Mouse, Josie Beers, and Jeff Kelin. The show is free for ages 16+ and donations are encouraged.
Pattie Gonia Presents: SAVE HER! – An Environmental Drag Show
@ Harrah's Cherokee Center
Friday, September 26, 2025 | 8:30-10:30 p.m.
Critically acclaimed drag artist Pattie Gonia stars in SAVE HER!, a drag show all about climate change and solutions. Pattie Gonia is an environmentalist, drag queen, and community organizer. They’ve been named Outside Magazine’s Person of the Year, National Geographic Traveler of the Year and a TIME Magazine Next Gen Leader 2023. The show also features an all-star cast of drag kings, queens, and things that will leave you saying “it’s getting hot in here”!
Pride After Party @ O. Henry's
Saturday, September 27, 2025 | 12 p.m. 'til
The Pride After Party lands at O. Henry's, Asheville's oldest gay bar. Enjoy music by DJ EZ Boogie and drag shows at 10:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m..
Looking for more queer experiences in Asheville? Check out our blog for more information on ways to celebrate inclusion and pride while in the area!
