Your Guide to Pride: Durham, NC

Durham has been the home of bold, courageous, and trailblazing for more than 40 years. Yes, Durhamites celebrate National Pride Month in June – and show their pride and solidarity throughout the year – by building intentionally queer-friendly spaces and throwing events and parties around the city. We also celebrate Pride: Durham, NC, our annual series of signature community events for and with the LGBTQ+ community during the first weekend of the fall season, usually towards the end of September.

Pride: Durham, NC has built on a long heritage, from the first public demonstration for gay civil rights in North Carolina to two full days of honoring, supporting, and celebrating LGBTQIA people and their families and loved ones in Durham, across North Carolina and beyond. This year’s theme, "Give Them Their Flowers," expresses honor and gratitude for the courage and leadership of our trans communities.

So, show up as your most radiant, authentic self to have a gay old time in the Bull City.

Insider tip: as you’ll see below, this is a very busy weekend in Durham, so we recommend making your plans ASAP.

The History of Pride: Durham, NC

Like many present-day Pride celebrations, Durham’s annual gathering started out as an act of protest. In 1981, 125 people stood to denounce an incident of homophobic violence at Little River in an effort to ensure justice was served. This first public demonstration for gay civil rights in North Carolina was followed in 1986 by a march on Duke University campus. This gathering became the NC Pride March, traveling around the state for the next 14 years, growing every year.

In June of 2000, a loyal crowd of thousands of Durhamites gathered to march despite a lack of organization and, in the aftermath of the disarray, it was decided that the NC Pride March should remain in Durham each year and be moved to the fall to take advantage of nicer weather. NC Pride later dissolved, and the LGBTQ Center of Durham has stewarded the organizing and fundraising of these special programs since 2018, building upon the legacy of the original protest years ago. Now, Pride: Durham, NC has grown from the 1986 march to a free two-day event with a concert with local and visiting performers, a pop-up market with more than 100 vendors, the beloved parade and more, supported by several local organizations and institutions, including Duke University and Duke University Health System, Durham County, the City of Durham, and Southern Vision Alliance.

Pride: Durham, NC Event Highlights

Pride: Durham, NC looks a little different in 2024. The long-running parade and community gathering has blossomed into a two-day event and celebration.

Dates: September 28-29, 2024

Event Lineup:

Saturday, September 28: Music and Market Festival

A day-long festival of local makers and performers headlined by Halima and Madison McFerrin entertain the crowd for Pride: Durham, NC’s first year in the heart of downtown Durham.

• Concert Stage: 12-8 p.m. at CCB Plaza (201 Corcoran St.)
• Pop-Up Market: 12-4 p.m. at Lot 8 (215 E. Parrish St.) & Chapel Hill Street Lot (326 E. Chapel Hill St.)
• Food Truck Station: 2-6 p.m. at Durham Central Park (501 Foster St.)

Sunday, September 29: Parade and Community Kickback

In keeping with tradition, Durham’s own Naomi Dix leads and entertains as grand marshal of the parade and community kickback on Duke’s East Campus.

• Parade: 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at Duke East Campus (Campus Dr. & Main St.)
• Community Kickback: 1-4 p.m. at Duke East Campus

Visit the Pride: Durham, NC webpage for these details and more!

Queer-Friendly Spaces in Durham

Durham proudly welcomes everyone, everywhere, so if you’re visiting for Pride and want to find the safest spots to gather between public gatherings, you won’t have to look far. Queer-owned downtown spaces like The Pinhook, Arcana Bar and Lounge, Queeny’s, and The Velvet Hippo Bar and Lounge provide friendly spaces and great food and drinks near the festivities, and you can find self-care, retail, art and more at spaces listed in our blog.

Things to Do in Durham During the Pride: Durham, NC Weekend

Take a break from the crowds or keep the party going after the official events end with other events happening around Durham. Find even more options on our events calendar.

• Pride Party in Two Parts at The Pinhook – the ultimate Pride: Durham, NC pre-party is a two-in-one! Start the evening with Shirlette Ammons's "Spectacles" record release party and end the night with a drag party from Durham's foremost social justice and consensual, sensually-minded drag family, House of Coxx.

• Death Planted a Garden Exhibit at Queen Street Magic Boat – find respite and community at this newly opened DIY arts space, offering zero-commission works by underrepresented artists.

• I. Jordan at The Fruit and Club Era – experience a release at this full takeover of The Fruit, including Club Era, where I. Jordan and other DJs will bring high-energy, high emotion music.

• The Glow Up! Neon Dance Parties at The Velvet Hippo – Post-Pride events, head over to free dance parties at The Velvet Hippo, downtown’s newest rooftop bar, for no-cover, 21 and up dance parties on Saturday and Sunday nights.

• The Patio Dance Parties: Clueless Fridays by the Pool at Unscripted – Say it with us – pool party. On the roof. On CCB Plaza.

• Duke vs UNC Football – For the reveler who is also a fan of college sports, this weekend in Durham is a dream come true. Take a break from Pride to celebrate Duke University’s centennial and homecoming weekend.

Where to Stay During Pride: Durham, NC

• Durham Marriott City Center – Marriott City Center is on the north side of CCB Plaza in the heart of downtown.

• 21c Museum Hotel – Explore the hotel’s 24/7 art collection and take a selfie with the fuchsia penguins before joining the fun downtown.

• The Durham Hotel – A locally-owned, mid-century boutique hotel with a celebrated restaurant and rooftop bar.

• Residence Inn Durham McPherson/Duke University Medical Center – The Residence Inn has apartment-style suites, heated pool and fitness center near the Brightleaf District. A comfortable choice that’s conveniently located within a quick walk to CCB Plaza and Duke East Campus.

• Unscripted Durham – An eclectic hotel with a rooftop deck, pool and unique cocktail and cuisine options, just east of CCB Plaza.