NASHVILLE, TN - The Nashville Pride Festival will be held on Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park in Downtown Nashville. The first official Nashville Pride took place in 1988. While 2023 marks the 35th Anniversary of the first Nashville Pride, LGBTQ+ celebrations in Nashville can be traced back to 1973. While no two Pride festivals have looked the same, Nashville Pride’s commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space where the LGBTQ+ community can join together.
The Pride Parade is free to attend and will take place on Saturday, June 24 at 10:00am starting at Broadway and 8th Avenue featuring more than 120 entries including marchers, floats, vehicles, marching bands, and more. The 2023 Grand Marshals are Community Leader Olivia Hill, and Health and Wellness Coach Eric Cox. This year's Community Awards winners include former Nashville Pride Board Member Christiane Davis, political activist Matia Powell and active volunteer Kerrie Turney.
The annual festival and parade is the largest LGBTQ+ event in Tennessee with an expected attendance of more than 125,000 people this year. The festival features over 240 vendors, food trucks, three stages of live entertainment with over 100 acts performing over two days, an extensive kids and family area, youth area, art installations and much more. The majority of the 2023 featured artists are members of the LGBTQ+ community and have been active allies of the LGBTQ+ community.
The Equality Main Stage entertainment lineup includes FLETCHER, Fitz and the Tantrums, Saucy Santana, Cassadee Pope, Lauren Sanderson, Miki Ratsula, corook and more scheduled to perform throughout the weekend. The full entertainment schedule is below.
Equality Main Stage | Saturday, June 24
- 12:30 PM Autumn Nicholas
- 1:15 PM Wyn Starks
- 2:00 PM Tayls
- 4:00 PM Chris Housman
- 4:50 PM Miki Ratsula
- 5:40 PM Nashville Drag EXTRAvaganza Featuring Adhara Bull, Arsyn, Audrina Taylor, Britney Banks, Carnelian Clinique, Chazzy Fay Van DeBanks, Chelle The Bombchelle, Chris Van DeBlair, Cordelia Facade, CyaInhale, D-Luv Saviyon, Dee Zastris, Delta Granta, Ivy St James, Johne heyyy, Justine Van DeBlair, Lexi Von Simmons, Luke Crisler, Otto Pilot, Portia, Shelby La Banks, Shoshana Van DeBlair, Trey Alize, Trinity Monroe, Venus Ann Serena, Vidalia Anne Gentry, Vivica Steele and Zxa
- 6:45 PM Saucy Santana
- 8:00 PM FLETCHER
Main stage hosts include Venus Ann Serena and The Princess
Main Stage DJs include Aazera and Jane Dupree
Stonewall Stage | Saturday, June 24
All day drag performances featuring 615 Show Stoppers, Amber Rose, Austin St James, D-Luv Saviyon, Darkanian Snow Diamond, Dee Zastris, Dylan B Dickerson White, Eazy Luv, Flex Cartier St James, Jackson B Nite, Juan Camarena, Kara Belle, KC Sunshine, Ken Dartanyan, Kinsey Malone, Kyle Reed, Malik Sebastian Cassadine, Marisol Treviño, Nicole Richards, Noel Cummings, Rasta Boi, Salem La Strange, Taniah DB Dickerson, Taylor Made St James, Trigga Infiniti Sanchez, and Whitney Gayton.
Rainbow Stage | Saturday, June 24
- 11:00 AM Liv Lombardi
- 11:45 AM Mercy Bell
- 12:30 PM Gigi Rich
- 1:15 PM HALLIE
- 2:00 PM Sonia Leigh
- 2:45 PM "Country Proud Round” Featuring Kristen Merlin, Steff Mahan, Zoe Cummins and Mark Robert Cash
- 3:45 PM Lillic
- 4:30 PM Brady Riley
- 5:15 PM Coleman.X
- 6:00 PM The SS-SR
Equality Main Stage | Sunday, June 25
- 12:00 PM Ysa
- 1:00 PM Josey
- 2:15 PM corook
- 3:15 PM Lauren Sanderson
- 4:45 PM Cassadee Pope
- 6:00 PM Fitz and the Tantrums
Hosted by Sasha Dereon with support from DJ Griffin Green.
Stonewall Stage | Sunday, June 25
All day drag performances featuring 615 Show Stoppers, Amber Rose, Austin St James, D-Luv Saviyon, Darkanian Snow Diamond, Dee Zastris, Dylan B Dickerson White, Eazy Luv, Flex Cartier St James, Jackson B Nite, Juan Camarena, Kara Belle, KC Sunshine, Ken Dartanyan, Kinsey Malone, Kyle Reed, Malik Sebastian Cassadine, Marisol Treviño, Nicole Richards, Noel Cummings, Rasta Boi, Salem La Strange, Taniah DB Dickerson, Taylor Made St James, Trigga Infiniti Sanchez, and Whitney Gayton.
Rainbow Stage | Sunday, June 25
- 11:00 AM Elizabeth Davis
- 11:35 AM John Chandler
- 12:10 AM Rackley
- 12:45 PM Adam Mac
- 1:20 PM Shelly Fairchild
- 2:00 PM Lorie Jo Bridges
- 2:35 PM Anna Clendening
- 3:15 PM Carmen Dianne
- 3:50 PM The Low Blow
- 4:25 PM Lindsey Hinkle
- 4:50 PM Danni Nicholls
Lineups and stage times are subject to change.
Select artists are available for interviews upon request. Please reach out to Tracie Hitz at tracie@goodneighborfestivals.com for interview inquiries.
Nashville Pride Weekend Kick Off | Thursday, June22
All are welcome to attend the official Nashville Pride Weekend Kick Off on Thursday, June22 from 5:30-9:00pm at the Sheraton Grand Hotel overlooking the festival grounds. Tickets are only $25 with the proceeds going to support Nashville Pride. Your ticket allows you to enjoy an evening of live entertainment with performances by Vidalia Anne Gentry, Trey Alize, Kennedy Ann Scott, Venus Ann Serena, and DJ Manrelic.
Friends of Pride and Weekend VIP ticket holders receive a complimentary ticket to the Weekend Kick Off and can pick up VIP Gift Bags and weekend wristbands at the event.
For more information on the Nashville Pride Festival and Parade please visit Nashville Pride.org
The 2023 Nashville Pride Festival is presented by Bridgestone and Nissan and supported by Dollar General, Music City PrEP Clinic,Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Jack Daniel’s Family of Brands, Amazon, Alliance Bernstein, Postmates, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., Vanderbilt Health, Renowned Event Designs, The Journey’s Group, WSMV News 4. For a full list of sponsors visit nashvillepride.org/sponsors.
About Nashville Pride
Nashville Pride is a celebration recognizing the past struggles and future possibilities of the LGBTQ+ community. Beyond that, Nashville Pride is a nonprofit organization focused on creating community and hosting various events for the Nashville and Middle Tennessee LGBTQ+ community.
Nashville Pride is working to achieve equal rights for all LGBTQ+ persons, which requires year-round efforts. When the Festival and Parade aren’t lining Nashville’s streets with love, color, and acceptance, the Nashville Pride board is engaging our community, coordinating advocacy and allyship, promoting diversity and inclusivity, and calling our local community to action.
The first Nashville Pride Parade was officially organized in June 1988 but pride events in the city of Nashville date back 50 years.
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