Charlotte Pride Drag Pageant Participant Application 2026

The Charlotte Pride Drag Pageant is a gender-inclusive pageant for contestants who believe in the power and importance of community service. Our pageant winners are more than just title holders. They live and breathe the spirit of Pride. They envision a world in which all LGBTQIA+ people are affirmed, respected, and included — free from any discrimination, rejection, or prejudice. They commit their volunteer work, time, energy, and talent to the Charlotte Pride mission to enrich, empower, strengthen, and make more visible the lives and experiences of LGBTQIA+ people in Charlotte and the Carolinas. 

This year’s Charlotte Pride Pageant continues our more than 20-year-long tradition of pageants that center inclusion and visibility. Each titled contest this year is open to all performers regardless of gender. 

Up to three winners will be selected: Mx. Charlotte Pride, Miss Charlotte Pride, and Mr. Charlotte Pride. Winners will serve as the 2026 Charlotte Pride Court. 

If you are interested in competing to become a part of the 2026 Charlotte Pride Court, please complete this application in its entirety. Before completing this application, we encourage you to think thoughtfully about your answers to the following questions, as well as to prepare your information for upload.

This year's Charlotte Pride Drag Pageant will be hosted during Charlotte Pride Week on Thursday, August 13, 2025, at Chasers - 3217 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205. 

The winner of each category will also perform as a component of the Charlotte Pride Festival entertainment on Sunday, August 16, 2026. We kindly request that all qualified contestants plan to be available on Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, for other duties.

Registration fees for 2026 are $35. 

Each winning Title Holder will receive:

$200 cash prize
Crown and sash
$75 at give-up in 2026
Title Holders will be required to:

Appear at up to four paid bookings chosen by Charlotte Pride
Serve as a Drag Team Coordinator for the next year’s Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade Planning Committee
Perform on the Charlotte Pride Festival Main Stage on Sunday, August 16
Appear in the 2026 Charlotte Pride Parade on Sunday, August 16
Appear in the 2027 Charlotte Pride Parade
Deadline for pageant entry: Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:59pm

For questions, comments, concerns, etc. regarding the pageant, please reach out to drag@charlottepride.org.