Atlanta Pride is all about transparency and community engagement. We’ve gathered some of the most frequently asked questions about how we operate to keep you in the loop. If you don’t find your answer here, just hit the ‘Contact Us’ link at the bottom and fill out the form. Our staff will get back to you ASAP—usually within a business day.
About Atlanta Pride
Atlanta Pride is Georgia’s oldest nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community.
The mission of the Atlanta Pride Committee, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is to cultivate vibrant and inclusive community for LGBTQ+ people in the Southeast by amplifying diverse voices, fostering meaningful connections, and celebrating the rich cultural expressions that unite and uplift our community.
Atlanta Pride moved to October in 2009 due to park scheduling restrictions during drought conditions. The event now coincides with National Coming Out Day.
Community members can support Atlanta Pride by volunteering, donating, sponsoring, or participating in year-round programming.
Festival FAQs
The Atlanta Pride Festival takes place annually on the second full weekend of October, typically around National Coming Out Day. Mark your calendars for October 10-11, 2026.
The Atlanta Pride Festival takes place in Piedmont Park in the heart of Midtown Atlanta.
Atlanta Pride Festival set-up is Monday, October 5, through Friday, October 9.
Atlanta Pride Festival takes place Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11.
Atlanta Pride Festival dismantle is Monday, October 12, through Wednesday, October 14.
Yes. The Atlanta Pride Festival is free and open to the public thanks to community support, sponsors, and donors.
Atlanta Pride is the largest Pride celebration in the Southeast and the largest free Pride in the U.S., welcoming hundreds of thousands of attendees each year.
- Live music and performances
- Community organizations and resource booths
- Local artists and vendors
- Food vendors
- Cultural Programming
- The Atlanta Pride Parade
- Community marches
- Trans March
- Bi/Pan March
- Dyke March
Getting to Piedmont Park
Piedmont Park is located at 1320 Monroe Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30306.
Piedmont Avenue, Monroe Drive, and 10th Street surround Piedmont Park. Visitors can enter through multiple entry points, such as the 12th or 14th Street gates off Piedmont Avenue, or the Charles Allen Drive Gate off 10th Street, across from Midtown High School. A popular way to get to the park is via the Atlanta Beltline, which enters the northern end of the park near Piedmont Commons and the southern end at the intersection of 10th Street and Monroe Drive.
Public transportation is strongly encouraged because parking near Piedmont Park is limited during large events.
Two MARTA stations are nearby: Midtown Station (at 10th Street) and Arts Center Station (at 15th Street).
Exit the Midtown Station and take 10th Street towards Peachtree Street, continuing on 10th until you reach Piedmont Avenue. Turn left on Piedmont Avenue and walk two blocks to the 12th and 14th Street gates of Piedmont Park (or you can continue walking on 10th Street, and the park will soon be on your left side).
Exit the Arts Center Station heading south on West Peachtree Street for one block. Head east (go left) on 14th Street for three blocks until you reach the 14th Street entrance to the Park.
MARTA also provides MARTA Mobility, a complimentary paratransit service operated within the same service area as fixed-route bus and rail services. To request an application or obtain information about MARTA Mobility, call the MARTA Mobility Eligibility Department at (404) 848-5389, M-F, 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. A MARTA Mobility Service Agent will explain the service and/or mail an application. The fax number for Mobility Eligibility is (404) 848-6900.
For additional information, visit itsmarta.com or call MARTA at (404) 848-5000.
No scooters will be allowed inside Piedmont Park during the festival. No parking or drop-off of scooters will be allowed at the entrances of Piedmont Park during the festival. Geofencing for e-scooters will be enforced around Piedmont Park from Wednesday, October 7, to Monday, October 12, set by the City of Atlanta Shared Micromobility and the Atlanta Department of Transportation.
Parking & Transportation
Limited paid parking is available at the SAGE Parking Facility near the park, but it fills quickly during major events. Please check back here closer to the Festival, as we may have a parking link available for the surrounding areas.
Street parking is discouraged in the surrounding neighborhoods, as it is very limited and restricted during large events. We highly recommend public transportation or rideshare.
Be aware that many streets around Piedmont Park and in the neighborhoods will have posted “Emergency No Festival Parking” signs. APD may ticket and/or tow illegally parked vehicles at the owner’s expense.
Vehicle parking in the neighborhoods around Piedmont Park is heavily restricted, with limited, often metered, or permit-only spots only. Always check signs to avoid being towed, as enforcement is strictly enforced in residential areas. Please be respectful of parking in front of homes and do not block driveways.
Yes. Several Midtown streets and sections will be closed. There will be rolling closures with streets temporarily closed on Saturday afternoon for the Pride Marches and fully closed on Sunday for the Pride Parade.
Street Closure: 10th Street (between Charles Allen & Monroe Dr.) will be closed to vehicle traffic from Friday to Sunday. The 10th Street Cycle Track will remain open.
Piedmont Park Rules
You can bring snacks and drinks, but we encourage you to support our vendors! We ask that you avoid bringing coolers, food, or beverages onto the festival grounds to help “Keep Pride Free,” as buying food and drinks on-site helps cover event costs. Just remember: no glass bottles and no outside alcohol, as those could get confiscated!
No, the City of Atlanta does not allow pets at all Class A festivals, including Atlanta Pride. This is per city regulations, and the police might issue a ticket if you bring your furry friend. The only exception? ADA service animals, of course!
Nope, grilling and BBQs are a no-go during Class A festivals. Grills on the park grounds are not to be used during the Festival, and if you try to bring a grill, the police might write you a ticket.
Tents are okay in specifically marked areas. Do not use stakes—stick to sandbags or water weights to secure them. And remember: if you leave your stuff (including tents) overnight, it’ll be removed.
Atlanta Pride is not responsible for your belongings or your tents in Piedmont Park and during the Pride Festival. Atlanta Pride is not liable for stolen, lost, or damaged property that you bring to Piedmont Park during the Pride Festival.
Yes. Lawn chairs and umbrellas are welcome.
And remember: if you leave your stuff (including lawn chairs and umbrellas) overnight, it’ll be removed.
Smoking and vaping are prohibited in Piedmont Park in Atlanta. City ordinances, which went into effect in January 2020, explicitly ban smoking and vaping in all City of Atlanta parks. The ban includes tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, and vapor devices.
We ask that you please leave all weapons, including firearms, at home. Let’s keep it safe and fun for everyone.
Accessibility
Many areas of Piedmont Park include paved paths and accessible routes. However, pathways might be affected by the Festival and Piedmont Park structures.
Accessible viewing areas are typically available for our main stage.
Accessible parking may be available in nearby garages, including the SAGE parking facility, but spaces are limited. The SAGE parking facility is located on the opposite side of the park from the meadow area. We do not coordinate or manage any of the off-site parking locations.
There is no mobility cart assistance available during the Festival inside Piedmont Park or to/from the SAGE parking facility.
Accessibility information will be included in our Festival Guide and Map, which will be available on the website before the event.
Parade Information
The Parade steps off at noon on the Sunday of Pride weekend.
The Parade steps off at noon from the Civic Center MARTA Station, makes its way north on Peachtree Street, east on 10th Street, and ends at the Charles Allen Gate of Piedmont Park across from Midtown High School. 
Parade assembly begins at 8 am on Pride Sunday. Streets along the route in Downtown and Midtown will be fully closed during the four-hour event, and 10th Street will remain closed for one hour afterward to allow crowds to clear safely. Only pre-registered entries will be permitted in the parade.
No. The Parade is free and open to the public. It is also broadcast live with our media partner, Atlanta News First.
Popular viewing areas include Peachtree Street, 10th Street, and areas near Piedmont Park.
Attendees are strongly encouraged to take MARTA and other public transportation. The Civic Center Station is at the start of the Parade route, and both the North Avenue and Midtown stations are along the Parade route.
Arriving early is recommended if you want a specific viewing location. Remember the Parade steps off at noon, so you’ll want to arrive before then to get a prime viewing spot.
Festival Navigation
Information booths and volunteers throughout the park can help attendees navigate the Festival. A digital map will also be released each year prior to the Festival.
Festival maps will be available online before the event and posted throughout the park. A limited number of physical maps will be available at the park entrances at our Information Booths.
There will be lots of temporary restroom facilities available throughout the park during the Festival. Additionally, Piedmont Park has several permanent restrooms & ADA-accessible restrooms located throughout the park, including ones near Greystone, the Noguchi Playscape, Legacy Fountain, the tennis center, dog parks, the Charles Allen Gate entrance, and beneath Magnolia Hall.
Planning Your Visit
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunscreen
- Reusable water bottle
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- A small bag for personal items and Marketplace purchases
- Cash and/or credit/debit cards (No ATMs are available in the park)
- ID card
- Smartphone portable charger
Yes. Blankets and small wagons are commonly used by attendees for comfort and carrying items. The Marketplace can become very crowded, so please be careful when navigating with any carts or wagons.
No, there are no ATMs on-site at the Festival. Most vendors accept credit cards, but it can be helpful to bring multiple payment options.
Lost & Found is located at Operations Headquarters, located in the Greystone Pool House (end of blue row, beginning of purple row of the Marketplace). If you lose something at the Festival, please visit us at Greystone or email us at info@atlantapride.org. Items not retrieved from Lost & Found before 10 pm on Pride Sunday will be transferred to the Atlanta Police Department, and you will need to contact APD to claim them.
Water refill stations are available throughout Piedmont Park to help attendees stay hydrated. Make sure to check this years Pride Guide when it is live for updated locations.
Photography for personal use is welcome. Commercial photography is permitted only with media credentials issued in advance. Please contact media@atlantapride.org with any questions.
Personal and commercial drones are not allowed during the Atlanta Pride Festival, Atlanta Pride Marches, and Atlanta Pride Parade.
Drones are strictly prohibited at festivals and public events in Piedmont Park per the City of Atlanta, city ordinances for large crowd gatherings, including marches and parades, which can pose safety risks, leading to specific prohibitions on remote-controlled devices and drones.
The Festival generally takes place rain or shine, unless severe weather requires adjustments. In the case of severe weather, please monitor our social media for updates:
https://www.facebook.com/atlantapride/
Absolutely! Atlanta Pride welcomes attendees of all ages. We also incorporate a large Family Fun Zone each year. Please check this year’s map for a specific location.
Other Questions?
Contact the Atlanta Pride team!
Atlanta Pride is happy to hear from you. Please contact us via email (info@atlantapride.org) or by phone (404-382-7588).
We will do our best to respond to your questions or concerns as promptly as possible. Please note that response times may be slightly delayed in the days leading up to the Festival and during the Festival weekend.
