GOOD NEIGHBOR FESTIVALS
An annual tradition beloved by many, the Nashville Pride Festival returns to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in celebration and support of the LGBTQ+ community.
Running June 22 and 23, the Nashville Pride Festival and Parade are expected to attract more than 150,000 people this year and is the largest LGBTQ+ event in the state of Tennessee. The fun kicks off with the parade on Saturday, June 22 at 10 a.m. on Broadway starting at 8th Ave. and ending at 2nd Ave. The parade is free to the public and welcomes thousands of people all coming together on colorful floats, cars, on foot, and lining the streets in celebration.
And that’s only the beginning. The two-day festival features a carefully curated, can’t- miss lineup of entertainment and offerings in an environment where all are welcome, and community is at the forefront.
“Everything that Nashville Pride does is centered around the community: what the community needs, how the community celebrates, and who the community wants to see,” says Brady Ruffin, Secretary of the Nashville Pride Board of Directors. “When selecting entertainment, we prioritize providing a diverse array of entertainers that appeal to our vibrant LGBTQ+ community. By highlighting queer artists and performers who speak to the experiences and interests of the queer community in Middle Tennessee, we aim to foster a sensebof belonging and empowerment. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone can come together, connect, and celebrate the rich diversity of our community through music and art.”
The 2024 lineup is sure to be one for the books with three stages of live entertainment and over 120 acts performing throughout the weekend. This year’s Equality Main Stage performers include the multi-platinum singer, songwriter, and dancer, Tinashe and GRAMMY, Emmy, and two-time Tony Award-winner, Billy Porter. Plus, other big-name favorites like Icona Pop, Slayyyter, G Flip, Shea Couleé, and Brooke Eden will perform. Nashville’s own LGBTQ+ artists will also grace the festival’s multiple stages with performances by Adam Mac, Denitia, Angie K, Marielle Kraft, Pet Envy, Fame & Fiction, and more.
In addition to plenty of show-stopping performances, attendees can enjoy over 240 vendors, food trucks, an extensive kids and family area, youth area, art installations, and so much more. But beyond the abundance of offerings, Nashville Pride serves as much more than a festival. It is a safe and accepting space to come together with friends, family, and loved ones where everyone is not only welcome, but celebrated for being exactly who they are.
“Our biggest hopes for this year’s Pride Festival are centered around fostering a sense of unity, celebration, and empowerment within both the attendees and the wider Nashville community,” Ruffin says. “We aim to create an inclusive and welcoming space where individuals from all walks of life feel embraced and valued. We hope that the Pride Festival serves as a platform for amplifying diverse voices, experiences, and stories within the LGBTQ+ community. Ultimately, we envision the Pride Festival as a space where love, acceptance, and joy prevail; leaving a lasting legacy of unity and progress for both attendees and the Nashville community at large.”
(600 James Robertson Pkwy., nashvillepride.org)