Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade 2026

Small businesses, please use this application to apply for a spot in our parade lineup for your company or organization's parade walking/marching group or group with a float or vehicle. Groups can include up to 100 people.

 

Corporations, please do not use this small business application to apply for parade participation.

 

Corporations, as well as companies or organizations that will consist of walking groups of more than 100, will need to contact Charlotte Pride about becoming a sponsor. To inquire about becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our managing director Meredith Thompson at meredith@charlottepride.org.

 

NOTE: Spaces for floats are limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

Discounts or waived fees are only for organizations that have already become sponsors of the Festival & Parade and whose sponsorship package includes a complimentary space in the parade. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our managing director at meredith@charlottepride.org for more information.

 

If you represent a small or medium business, we invite you to submit an application for Parade entry in this year’s Charlotte Pride Parade, to be held on Sunday, August 16, 2026. 
 
Our Parade SMALL BUSINESS Retail/Commercial Application fee structure is as follows:
Walking Group (NO VEHICLE) - $395
Walking Group (WITH CAR/TRUCK/VAN) - $495
Motorcycle Group - $400
Large Bus or Vehicle (Tractor Trailer) - $595
Group with Float - $595

Application Fee:
A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be charged upon submission of your application. If your application is approved, $50 will be applied towards the total application fee. (Fees listed above include the application fee.)
 
Late Fee:
Applications received after May 31st at 11:59 pm will be charged a $100 late fee.
 
NOTE: Sponsor packages often include a Festival Zone Vendor Space and/or Parade entry. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our Managing Director at meredith@charlottepride.org for more information.
 
Parade Applicants will be notified according to the schedule below.

 

Notification Deadlines and Dates: 

Submission by January 31 - Notification by February 16

Submission by February 28 - Notification by March 13

Submission by March 31 - Notification by April 13

Submission by April 30 - Notification by May 11

Submission by May 31 - Notification by June 15 

Late fees will be charged starting June 1st.

To avoid late fees, apply by May 31st. 

Submission by July 3 (Final Deadline) - Notification by July 14

 

Please do not email Charlotte Pride requesting status updates before your submission notice date. If you have not been contacted by your appropriate notification date, please email parade@charlottepride.org and a member of the team will get back to you.

 

For frequently asked questions, please visit our website at https://charlottepride.org/faqs/ 

Use this application to apply for a spot in our parade lineup for your company or organization's parade walking/marching group or group with a float or vehicle. Groups can include up to 100 people.

 

Companies or organizations that will consist of walking groups of more than 100 will need to contact Charlotte Pride about becoming a sponsor. To inquire about becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our managing director Meredith Thompson at meredith@charlottepride.org.

 

NOTE: Spaces for floats are limited and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. 

 

Discounts or waived fees are only for organizations that have already become sponsors of the Festival & Parade and whose sponsorship package includes a complimentary space in the parade. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our managing director at meredith@charlottepride.org for more information.

 

If you represent a small, medium, or large nonprofit organization, we invite you to submit an application for Parade entry in this year’s Charlotte Pride Parade, to be held on Saturday, August 15 and Sunday, August 16, 2026. 
 
Our nonprofit Parade fee structure is as follows:
Walking Group (NO VEHICLE) - $200
Walking Group (WITH CAR/TRUCK/VAN) - $275
Motorcycle Group - $200
Large Bus or Vehicle (Tractor Trailer) - $395
Group with Float - $395

Application Fee:
A non-refundable application fee of $50 will be charged upon submission of your application. If application is approved, $50 will be applied towards total application fee. (Fees listed above include the application fee.)
 
Late Fee:
Applications received after May 31st at 11:59 pm will be charged a $100 late fee.
 
NOTE: Sponsor packages often include a Festival Zone Vendor Space and/or Parade entry. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please reach out to our Managing Director at meredith@charlottepride.org for more information.
 
Parade Applicants will be notified according to the schedule below.

 

Notification Deadlines and Dates: 

Submission by January 31 - Notification by February 16

Submission by February 28 - Notification by March 13

Submission by March 31 - Notification by April 13

Submission by April 30 - Notification by May 11

Submission by May 31 - Notification by June 15 

Late fees will be charged starting June 1st.

To avoid late fees, apply by May 31st. 

Submission by July 3 (Final Deadline) - Notification by July 14

 

Please do not email Charlotte Pride requesting status updates before your submission notice date. If you have not been contacted by your appropriate notification date, please email parade@charlottepride.org and a member from the team will get back to you.

 

For frequently asked questions, please visit our website at https://charlottepride.org/faqs/ 

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our 2026 Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade! We're so glad you want to take part in this vibrant celebration of Charlotte's LGBTQ+ community. With the energy and support of passionate volunteers like you, we'll make 2026's festival and parade, in its new park-centered location, even better than last year's! We appreciate any and all volunteer time! Careful planning and communication will allow us to create the best experience for you as a volunteer as well as all of our pride participants. Here's some information you'll need to know as you plan for your volunteer experience with us: WHEN: The festival runs Saturday, Aug. 15th, through Sunday, Aug. 16th, with set-up also occurring Friday, Aug. 14th. Active/public Charlotte Pride Festival hours are Saturday from noon until 10pm and Sunday from noon until 6pm. The Charlotte Pride Parade is on Sunday, Aug. 16th, along Tryon Street. WHERE: Our festival will be held in and around First Ward Park in the Uptown area of Charlotte, located at 306 E 8th St, Charlotte, NC 28202. Surrounding streets will be closed to accommodate our festival vendor zone and activations. The Charlotte Pride Parade will take place on Tryon Street in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, running from 9th Street to 4th Street. Please visit our website at charlottepride.org for more information and FAQs. WHERE TO CHECK IN: FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS (Friday/Set-Up Day, Saturday, or Sunday) - Your check-in will be at the Volunteer Pavilion at 306 E 8th St, Charlotte, NC 28202. This is in First Ward Park, at the corner of 8th Street, by the Lynx Blue Line track., The pavilion is a small building with a flat roof and large glass windows. SUNDAY PARADE VOLUNTEERS - Please check in at our parade tent located at 600 N Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28202. It will be at the corner of 9th St. and Tryon St. (also known as "Preferred Parking Lot #600" on Google Map). HOW TO VOLUNTEER: To volunteer, please select at least one shift of your choice within the departments provided. We will do our best to accommodate your desired volunteer role, but we ask that you please be flexible to shifting roles as needs arise. Please let us know if you would like documentation of volunteer hours as well as any special considerations of which we should be aware. Please also let us know as soon as you can if your schedule changes and you have any conflicts with your duties or timeframe. WHAT TO EXPECT: We will provide you a volunteer T-shirt at check-in for you to wear throughout your shift. We will also have snacks and drinks and a restroom within the check-in pavilion, but we ask that you please bring plenty of water to have throughout your shift, as well as a hat for shade from the sun, sunscreen, snacks, and any foods you need for special dietary needs. Please carefully read the terms and conditions below. If you have any questions or concerns, kindly reach out to us at volunteer@charlottepride.org. With gratitude for your service and with lots of Pride, Your Charlotte Pride Volunteer Experience Team PLEASE NOTE: Please use this online form to submit your individual release as a participant in Charlotte Pride activities. Please read the release in its entirety. All requested information is required. This form is to be completed by all participants in Charlotte Pride activities, including volunteers during the weekend of the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade. TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS AND VOLUNTEERS UNDER THE AGE OF 18: All volunteers during the weekend of the Charlotte Pride Festival and Parade must be age 14 or older and must have parental permission via this release form to participate. Parents/Guardians: Please complete this form with your name as the "Participant Name" and your contact information in "Participant Email" and "Participant Phone Number;" please include your minor child's name, email, and phone number in the appropriate fields as provided. Thank you.