Miami Beach Pride

Miami Beach Pride returns April 4-13, 2025, bringing two weeks of celebrations of all things LGBTQ+ to the streets of Miami Beach. What began as a relatively small, 15,000-person event in 2009 has grown to be one of the largest Pride festivals in the country, drawing as many as 170,000 revelers to Greater Miami & Miami Beach. If you’re planning to attend Miami Beach Pride or are just curious about what goes on during the festival, here’s a guide to everything you’ll need to know.

Read on for a recap of Miami Beach Pride 2024

What’s the Lineup Of Events For Miami Beach Pride 2024?

Miami Beach Pride begins on April 2 with a drag queen pageant and runs for two weeks, culminating with the grand parade on April 14. There’s plenty more going on during the two weeks in between.

Miss Miami Beach Pride Pageant, April 2

The Miss Miami Beach Pride Pageant isn’t anything like the pageants you watched growing up. This contest pits the fiercest drag queens in the nation against one another in an all-night revue where contestants are judged on swimwear, talent and overall Pride. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Pride Flag Raising, April 4

The Pride Flag Raising is effectively Miami Beach Pride’s Opening Ceremony. Organizers and Pride dignitaries will raise the pride flag over Miami Beach City Hall at 6 p.m. Remarks from local officials and the Miami Beach Pride Board will follow.

Pride Lights The Night, April 4

The Circle along Miami’s fabulous Lincoln Road will be lit up in Pride Colors as organizers “flip the switch” to kick off the festival at 7:30 p.m. Pride is teaming with the Lincoln Road Business Improvement District for a spectacular light display that also serves as a memorial to those lost in the Pulse nightclub tragedy.

Into the Wyld, April 6

Pride’s women’s component, the Garden of Eve, hosts a special preview when the ladies take over Hotel Gaythering on Lincoln Road at 8 p.m. The festival’s only women’s event – Into the Wyld – will run until 2 a.m. with plenty of drinks and live music.

Family Picnic, April 7

Dog parents – or anyone who loves dogs – will enjoy an afternoon of free fun at Pride Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Pride Family Picnic includes a bounce house, outdoor activities, face painting and crafts, with food and drinks for sale onsite. The Humane Society of Greater Miami will also be hosting a puppy adoption.

Rooftop Cinema Club Screening of “The Mattachine Family,” April 7

Pride Movie Night partners with the OUTShine Film Festival to host a special screening of “The Mattachine Family” at the Rooftop Cinema Club South Beach on Lincoln Road with sweeping views of South Beach. The film stars “Walking Dead’s” Nico Tortorella and “Schitt’s Creek’s” Emily Hampshire in a story about chosen family and what it means to be queer. The show starts at 7 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m., so guests can enjoy the full array of food and drinks on the rooftop.

Queer Art Showcase, April 8

This year’s Queen Art Showcase takes over the Moxy South Beach at 6:30 p.m., with works by artists from around Florida. Guests will be treated to stunning and provocative works across mediums, from photography to paintings and live music. All proceeds go directly to the artists.

Social Justice, Health and Wellness Evening, April 10

Pride’s Social Justice, Health, and Wellness educational event features panels of experts discussing the most pressing issues in the LGBTQ+ community. Doors open at 6 p.m. and panels run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at O Cinema South Beach.

Miami Beach Pride VIP Affair, April 12

The eventful final weekend of Pride gets going with a throwback to ’80s glam when the VIP Beach Affair takes over Lummus Park from 7 to 11 p.m. Your host for 2024 is drag performer and comedian Jessica Wild, who will be joined by “The Voice” finalist Kimberly Nichole belting out Tina Turner’s greatest hits. There will be light bites and drinks from renowned winery La Crema, and guests are encouraged to dress in their “Miami Vice”-era finest to keep with the theme.

Miami Beach Pride Festival, April 13-14

The two-day Pride Festival is the centerpiece of the celebration, filling Lummus Park with music, dancing and live performances over Pride’s final weekend. In addition to three stages of live entertainment, the festival will include an expo pavilion with the women’s Garden of Eve space, the Lambda Legal Senior Lounge, and a “Tea Tent” for non-binary and trans members.

Miami Beach Pride Parade, April 14

The eagerly anticipated Miami Beach Pride Parade is the culmination of the two-week Pride festival, beginning its march down Ocean Drive at noon. The procession of more than 50 floats will work its way from 5th to 15th streets, with seating areas set up along Ocean Drive. Many of the sidewalk cafes are ideal for putting you in the heart of the action, though you’ll want to arrive early for the best vantage points for the parade.

Tips for Getting To And Enjoying Miami Beach Pride

Hydrate and Dress Comfortably

Pride is a marathon, not a sprint, so remember to pace yourself. Since most of the events are outdoors, drink lots of water, especially if you’re consuming alcohol. Also, wear plenty of sunscreen, and dress in light and comfortable clothing.

How to Get to the Miami Beach Pride Parade

If you’re planning to attend the parade, consider public transportation. The Poseidon Ferry begins service across Biscayne Bay from Downtown Miami to Miami Beach beginning on March 1. It leaves from the Venetian Marina at 1635 N. Bayshore Drive in Downtown Miami and arrives at Maurice Gibb Memorial Park in Miami Beach. From there, you can take the Miami Beach Trolley or a rideshare to the parade route.

If you’re not staying in Miami Beach, it’s generally wise to head to the parade and festival as early as possible, as traffic and crowds become more challenging as the day goes on. If you’re driving to Pride, you’ll find city garages on 7th Street between Collins and Washington avenues, as well as on 12th and 13th streets. Another parking option is the city garage at the end of the MacArthur Causeway on 5th Street and Alton Road. It’s about a 15-minute walk from Lummus Park.

Those coming from Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach or Orlando can take the high-speed Brightline train to Miami Central Station in Downtown Miami and then take a rideshare from the station to Miami Beach.

Keep an Open Mind and Bring Positive Vibes

Remember, this is a Pride festival, so keeping an open mind is a must. Pride is nothing if not a celebration of unbridled joy, so bring your positive energy and have a great time.

By: Matthew Meltzer | February 29, 2024