Rooted In Resistance: Your Ultimate Guide To Atlanta Pride 2025—Dates, Headliners, And The Can't-Miss Parade Route
The Atlanta Pride Festival is returning to Piedmont Park this fall, and all the essential, up-to-the-minute details for the 2025 celebration have been officially announced. As of today, December 24, 2025, the largest free Pride festival in the United States is set to deliver an unforgettable weekend of activism, community, and world-class entertainment, all centered around a powerful and timely theme.
This year’s event promises to be a powerful affirmation of the community’s layered history, building on decades of struggle and triumph in the South. Mark your calendars, plan your travel, and prepare to celebrate diversity, resilience, and strength, as the heart of Atlanta transforms into a vibrant hub of LGBTQ+ culture and celebration.
Atlanta Pride 2025: Key Dates, Theme, and Grand Marshals
The Atlanta Pride Festival is a cornerstone event in the U.S. LGBTQ+ calendar, consistently drawing hundreds of thousands of attendees to the city’s Midtown district. The official dates and main venues are confirmed, giving revelers plenty of time to finalize their plans for the highly anticipated weekend.
- Official Festival Dates: Saturday, October 11, and Sunday, October 12, 2025.
- Main Venue: Piedmont Park, Atlanta, GA.
- Official 2025 Theme: "Rooted in Resistance." This theme is a call to action, acknowledging the foundational history of the LGBTQ+ movement and empowering individuals to contribute to a future of full equality.
The 2025 Grand Marshals: Honoring Community Heroes
Each year, Atlanta Pride selects a slate of Grand Marshals—individuals and organizations whose work exemplifies the spirit of the community. The 2025 class represents a diverse cross-section of activism, history, and service, embodying the "Rooted in Resistance" theme.
The confirmed 2025 Atlanta Pride Grand Marshals include:
- Dr. Christy Perez: An Afro-Latina trans theologian, historian, and abolitionist whose work focuses on healing and transformative justice.
- Georgia LGBTQ History Project: An organization dedicated to preserving the rich and complex history of Georgia’s queer community.
- Jere Chang: A prominent community leader and activist.
- Lena Lust [Lester West]: Recognized for their significant contributions to the Atlanta queer scene.
- LGBTQ+ Institute at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights: A vital entity that highlights the intersection of LGBTQ+ rights and the broader civil rights movement.
- PALS Atlanta: An organization providing essential support to people living with HIV/AIDS.
- Raquel Willis: A celebrated author, activist, and advocate for Black transgender rights.
- Richard Ramey: Owner of the iconic Atlanta Eagle bar, a longtime pillar of the leather and queer community.
- Russ: A respected photographer whose work has documented the Atlanta LGBTQ+ community for decades.
The Can't-Miss Atlanta Pride Parade Details
The annual Atlanta Pride Parade is the largest parade of any kind in the city, transforming Peachtree Street into a spectacular moving canvas of floats, banners, marching bands, and bold colors. The parade is scheduled for Sunday, October 12, 2025, and is the centerpiece of the weekend.
Parade Route and Logistics
The 2.5-mile route is a historic march through the heart of Midtown, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators. Knowing the route and assembly points is crucial for securing the best viewing spot.
- Start Time: The parade steps off at 12:00 PM (noon) on Sunday, October 12.
- Assembly Point: Staging begins near the Civic Center MARTA Station.
- The Route: The procession heads north on Peachtree Street (starting at Pine Street), turns right onto the famed 10th Street, and culminates as it enters Piedmont Park at the Charles Allen Gate.
- Travel Tip: Utilizing the MARTA public transit system, especially the Civic Center and Midtown stations, is highly recommended due to extensive road closures.
2025 Entertainment Lineup and Festival Zones
The Atlanta Pride Festival is renowned for its vibrant, multi-stage entertainment, offering a diverse lineup that spans hip-hop, indie, pop, and drag performance. The 2025 lineup is already generating significant buzz, with major headliners confirmed for the Coca-Cola stage and other venues within Piedmont Park.
Confirmed Headliners and Performers
The first round of entertainment announcements confirms a powerhouse roster of talent for the 2025 festival weekend:
- Flo Milli: The celebrated hip-hop sensation is confirmed as a major headliner, bringing her energetic performance to the main stage.
- Perfume Genius: The critically acclaimed singer-songwriter will also headline, offering his unique blend of art-pop and emotional depth.
- Bob the Drag Queen: The winner of *RuPaul’s Drag Race* Season 8 is scheduled to perform, bringing her signature comedic and high-energy show.
- 2AM Ricky: Known as the first Black trans man to reach the top 3 on the iTunes R&B charts, 2AM Ricky adds another layer of diverse talent to the lineup.
Piedmont Park Festival Highlights
Beyond the main stages, the park is segmented into various zones and events tailored to different community interests, ensuring there is something for everyone throughout the weekend.
- Community Zones: Look for the dedicated areas like the Trans/Bi/Leather/Family Zones, which offer a safe and focused space for specific community segments.
- Cultural Events: Programming includes an all-levels yoga class on the dock and the popular Drag Story Hour for families.
- Official Kickoff: The weekend traditionally begins with the Official Kickoff Party, often held at a major venue like the Georgia Aquarium on Friday night, October 10.
- Arts and Film: The celebration extends beyond the park, with associated events like the HUMP! Film Festival often screening at venues like The Plaza Theatre.
More Than a Party: Atlanta's Deep LGBTQ+ History
To truly understand the "Rooted in Resistance" theme, it is essential to appreciate Atlanta's deep and often challenging LGBTQ+ history. Atlanta has long served as a safe haven and cultural epicenter for queer people throughout the Southeast, even when homosexuality was criminalized before 1969.
The city's history is preserved through initiatives like the LGBTQ+ Historic Context Statement and the Georgia LGBTQ History Project. Landmarks and historical sites tell the story of the community’s fight for visibility and acceptance.
- Historical Landmarks: Sites like the former location of the Atlanta Eagle bar and the legendary, now-closed Mrs. P's are key landmarks in the city's queer narrative.
- Midtown as Epicenter: Midtown Atlanta remains the vibrant core of gay life, though historic institutions like the Backstreet bar are now gone, the spirit of community thrives.
- Black Queer History: Projects like *Atlanta as Black Queer Place* are actively documenting the critical, often overlooked, lived experiences of Black LGBTQ+ activists and community members in the city.
The Essential Atlanta Nightlife Experience
Pride weekend extends well beyond Piedmont Park, with Atlanta's famed gay bars and clubs hosting official and unofficial after-parties. The concentration of venues in Midtown and the Ansley Square area makes bar-hopping a popular activity.
- Blake's on the Park: A neighborhood staple known for its prime location and lively atmosphere.
- Woofs: Atlanta's only gay sports bar, offering a relaxed setting with plenty of TVs and a hearty food menu.
- Atlanta Eagle: The premier levi and leather bar, a historic venue catering to all segments of the community.
- Mixx: A popular spot, often attracting an older Black gay crowd, particularly during Black Pride celebrations.
Whether you are marching in the parade, dancing to Flo Milli on the main stage, or reflecting on the history of resistance, Atlanta Pride 2025 is set to be a momentous and deeply meaningful celebration for the entire LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Secure your accommodations early and prepare for the South’s largest and most vibrant Pride event.
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