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/