Weekend of pride in Charlotte, N.C.: The ultimate LGBTQ+ guide 2025

When Pride paints the town in rainbow hues, does any city sparkle quite like Charlotte, N.C.?

Charlotte may be the Queen City — but during Pride, everyone gets a crown! This year, Charlotte Pride returns Aug. 16-17, marking its milestone 25th anniversary with festivities that promise to be bigger, bolder, and more unapologetically queer than ever.

Explore this ultimate LGBTQ+ travel guide below and immerse yourself in a Pride weekend full of fabulous events, eclectic cuisines, inclusive nightlife, and pure, unfiltered queer joy!

Charlotte PridePhoto Courtesy of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Don’t miss Charlotte Pride’s 25th birthday!

Since 2000, Charlotte Pride has been blending drag, live music, vibrant parades, and community events into one festival, while filling the entire city with love. Each year, North Carolina’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration pulls out all the stops, and the 25th anniversary will be no exception.

The two-day festival kicks off Aug. 16 at First Ward Park in Uptown Charlotte, a new location offering a third more space than previous years. The urban green space provides the LGBTQ+ community and allies with walking trails, open areas, and a splash fountain, making it the perfect backdrop for this expanded celebration.

“Symbolically, the park setting reminds us how and why we started doing this work,” said Riley Murray, Charlotte Pride Board President, in a statement. “With rising anti-LGBTQ sentiment, Pride is more important than ever. This larger, accessible venue will allow us to welcome as many people as possible so that we can all be visible, vibrant, and celebrated.”

Photo Courtesy of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Start the Pride weekend at Ink & Ivy’s high-energy kickoff party, featuring a live DJ, drag performances, craft cocktails, and an electrifying menu. Queer art lovers can enjoy world-class shows across two festival stages on both days. While the 2025 lineup is yet to be announced, past performers have included Big Freedia, Jordin Sparks, Todrick Hall, Betty Who, and Bob the Drag Queen.

Arrive early on Sunday, Aug. 17 to get a good viewing spot for the Charlotte Pride Parade, one of the largest in the American South. Expect an even more thrilling and sundry lineup of floats, shows, and community groups — stay updated at CharlottePride.org/Pride-Festival/!

Explore Charlotte’s diverse & inclusive dining scene!

After a full day of celebrations (and possibly a few too many tequila shots), it’s time to fuel up! Hop on the LYNX Blue Line light rail from 7th Street Station ($2.20) to discover Charlotte's thriving culinary scene.

300 EastPhoto Courtesy of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Step off at East/West Boulevard Station, and you'll find yourself in Dilworth, one of Charlotte’s most charming, historic neighborhoods, known for its tree-lined streets and historic bungalows. Among its standout, top-rated restaurants is the beloved 300 East, a queer-friendly dining institution operating for nearly 40 years in a beautifully restored Victorian home. From the moment you step onto 300 East’s spacious front porch, you’re enveloped in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Signature dishes include a juicy crab cake sandwich, pull-apart rolls with pumpkin and caramelized onion butter, and Shipley Farms steak with candied shallot. Oh and the homemade — Duke’s Mayo Caramel Cake is a must-try. No matter what you’re in the mood for — a crisp glass of wine, an ice-cold craft beer, or even a THC-infused cocktail — 300 East has the perfect pour waiting for you. However, it is an intimate restaurant, so make sure you make a reservation HERE up to 30 days in advance.

300 EastPhoto Courtesy of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

One stop away on the Blue Line, South End is where nightlife, art, and dining collide. Here, you’ll find Catalú. Designed for small, shareable plates with authentic flavors from Spain, Catalú’s menu features standouts like croquetas with Serrano ham, arroz con setas (wild mushroom risotto with Manchego cheese), and arroz negro del mar (a seafood paella with chorizo and head-on shrimp). Of course, we recommend pairing your meal with a curated selection of Spanish wines, sangria, and cocktails. For an extra dose of queer energy, check out Catalú’s drag brunches, hosted most notably by The Vanity House, a Charlotte-based, prominent entertainment collective celebrating local queens’ charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent!

Artisan's PalatePhoto Courtesy of Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority

Hungry for more drag and tasty food? Hit up Artisan’s Palate, a fully woman-owned and operated restaurant, cocktail bar, and art gallery in NoDa. Known for its gourmet comfort food and rotating art exhibits, this intimate venue hosts charity drag brunches and the celebrated “Women of Whiskey” dinner series, spotlighting women distillers worldwide — a must-visit for LGBTQ+ foodies!

Dance with somebody who loves you in Charlotte!

As Whitney once sang “When the night falls, loneliness calls.” But in Charlotte? Loneliness doesn’t stand a chance!

Jan Sport performs at ScorpioPhoto Courtesy of Scorpio

As Charlotte’s longest-running gay club, Scorpio closed its doors in 2023 after more than five decades, but its legacy continues with a new chapter at RSVP. This modern venue fuses the city’s nightlife with legendary energy and a nod to history. On its high-energy dance floors, you can let loose and revel in the unapologetic, joyous spirit of the queer community with an all-inclusive crowd.

Over at Chasers, the energy gets even wilder. This LGBTQ+ hotspot is a kaleidoscope of drag shows, pulsing neon lights, and an always-packed dance floor. This club is where sequins meet sweat, while joy spills out onto the streets long after the last song plays.

For something more intimate, Broken Promises delivers. This sultry cocktail bar serves craft drinks in an ambiance that’s part speakeasy, part queer dreamscape. Each sip is an invitation to lean into mystery, to let the night unfold however it may.

Then there’s Bar Argon, an energetic video bar where the dance nights are as strong as the drinks. Known for its Drag Race viewing parties and lively karaoke sessions, the vibe quickly shifts to pure party mode as the dance floor fills with an electrified crowd — the company is friendly, and the dance floor invites everyone, from seasoned queens to shy first-timers. Step into the rhythm of the night and find that special somebody who loves you to dance the night away with, right here in Charlotte!

As you wind down from a weekend full of queer celebrations in true Southern fashion, you will discover why Charlotte continues to be an evolving home for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you’re marching proudly through charming streets, indulging in local cuisine, or confessing on the dance floor, the Queen City makes sure every moment of Pride for you is truly unforgettable.

Start planning your Charlotte Pride experience, or your Queen City getaway any time of year, at CharlottesGotALot.com!

This story is brought to you by our partners at Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.