Asheville has been one of North Carolina's most welcoming destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers for decades, and the city's Pride celebrations reflect that.
While June is nationally recognized as Pride Month, Asheville's largest and longest-running Pride celebration, Blue Ridge Pride, has taken place every fall since 2009. That tradition continues in 2026, with the Blue Ridge Pride Festival set for September 25 and 26 at Pack Square Park.
But 2026 also brought something new: Asheville's first June Pride festival in nearly 30 years. Read on for a recap of this year's June festivities, plus everything you need to know about the main event this September.
Blue Ridge Pride Festival: September 25-26, 2026
Asheville's signature Pride event remains the Blue Ridge Pride Festival, held at Pack Square Park in the heart of downtown since 2009. This year, the festival is "doubling the magic" with a two-day format for the first time:
- Friday, September 25, 6-10 p.m.: An adults-only (18+) evening kickoff
- Saturday, September 26, 12-6 p.m.: The full festival, open to all ages, with two stages of regional musicians and entertainers, plus community and vendor booths
Good to know before you go:
- Parking: There's no free or assigned parking for the festival, as is typical for downtown events. Several parking garages sit within a half mile of Pack Square Park, including the Biltmore Ave. garage and the Coxe/Sears Alley garage.
- Dogs: Not permitted at the park, with the exception of pre-approved animal shelter or veterinary vendors. Service animals are always welcome.
- Accessibility: Organizers are planning ASL interpretation, wheelchair-friendly navigation, and mental health resources. Check Blue Ridge Pride's social media closer to the date for specifics.
June 2026 Pride Festivities: A Recap
Asheville's June 2026 Pride events have already wrapped up for the year, but check back closer to next June for updated dates on future Pride Month celebrations. In the meantime, here's a look at what the community celebrated this year.
True Colors Circle: Celebrate Pride with the Stories of Your Life
June 8 | 1-3:30 p.m. | AmeriHealth Caritas, 216 Asheland Ave, Asheville A gathering for adults 50 and older featuring lunch, conversation, and a relaxed show-and-tell designed to foster connection and storytelling in a low-pressure space.
WNC Trans+ Pride
June 13 | Asheville Blue Ridge Pride brought back its celebration of the transgender and gender-diverse community of Western North Carolina for a second year, following a successful inaugural event in 2025. The gathering included skillshares, wellness resources, clothing swaps, free binding and tucking supplies, and trans-focused educational resources.
Pride 5K
June 20 | 8 a.m. | Carrier Park A community run/walk benefiting Blue Ridge Pride's local programming.
Reverb of Resistance: A Night of Music and Art to Benefit LGBT+ Artists
June 25 | 6-9 p.m. | The Grey Eagle An evening of live music from Sal Landers, Elizabeth McCorvey and Her Band, and Lyric, supporting Southern Equality Studios, a Campaign for Southern Equality program that uses the arts to advance LGBTQ+ equality across the South.
AVL Stonewall Fest
June 26-28 | Downtown Asheville and South Slope The inaugural AVL Stonewall Fest marked Asheville's first dedicated June Pride festival since the 1990s. Organized by butchOUT founder Butch Thompson, the free, community-focused weekend honored the legacy of the 1969 Stonewall uprising with three days of events:
- Friday, June 26: A kickoff party at the Radical Hotel Rooftop Bar, followed by a Stonewall Drag Show at O.Henry's
- Saturday, June 27: The main festival at Asheville Yards (2-8 p.m.), hosted by drag entertainer Divine "The Bearded Lady," with live performances from Sal Landers and Lyric, comedy from Elizabeth Chandler, more than 40 vendors and nonprofit tables, and the inaugural AVL Stonewall Inspiration Award
- Sunday, June 28: A free all-ages drag show at New Belgium Brewing, plus a Beer City Bears gathering and a Steppin' Out line dancing class at Banks Ave Bar
Organizers describe the festival as a complement to, not a replacement for, Blue Ridge Pride, aiming to create a space centered on the local LGBTQ+ community. Given its strong turnout in its debut year, expect AVL Stonewall Fest to return in future Junes: keep an eye on avlstonewallfest.org for updates.
ANTHEM: Pride Dance Party
June 27 | 10 p.m. | O.Henry's The official AVL Stonewall Fest afterparty, produced by Bearded Lady Productions, with drag performances and DJ sets celebrating queer dance floor classics. Ages 21 and up.
Year Round Pride in Asheville
Pride in Asheville isn't confined to June or September. Blue Ridge Pride runs a full community calendar of events throughout the year, from drag bingo nights and karaoke to bear community socials and monthly fundraisers. butchOUT, the nonprofit behind AVL Stonewall Fest, also hosts the monthly Sunday Funday Tea Dance at Banks Ave Bar, with proceeds benefiting local nonprofits.
However you time your visit, Asheville continues to be one of the most LGBTQ+ friendly destinations in the Southeast. Explore more LGBTQ+ friendly spots in Asheville, or check out our full LGBTQ+ travel guide to start planning your trip.
This article will be updated as more details for 2027 Pride events become available. Check back for the latest.
