The Sunshine City’s biggest annual celebration is right around the corner, and the celebration is bigger than ever. St Pete Pride announced plans for its 2026 Kickoff Weekend, with three full days of parties and events taking place May 29-31, ahead of Pride Month officially beginning in June.
The weekend-long celebration is a throwback to St Pete Pride’s roots in the city, as well as a welcome mat to visitors and locals alike ready to join in on the fun. Four big events highlight the kickoff weekend, with a little bit of something for everybody. Learn more at stpetepride.org, and catch all the details below.
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Things get started with a Street Festival in the Grand Central District on Friday night (the neighborhood where St Pete Pride got its start), followed by two days of fun and literal games on the beach at SkyBeach Resort (6800 Sunshine Skyway Ln S). Saturday and Sunday include a sunset beach party, a pickleball tournament, and a drag brunch.
If you want to be on site all weekend for the party, SkyBeach Resort has special Kickoff Weekend packages available. Rooms start at $249 per night, with that special rate available through May 6th or until sold out.
Here’s what to expect at St Pete Pride’s 2026 Kickoff Weekend:
Kickoff Street Festival – Friday, May 29, 5-10 pm
St Pete Pride returns to Grand Central for the Kickoff Weekend, where their roots run deep. As evening falls, music and energy fill the streets, honoring the joy, visibility, and community that sparked it all and set the tone for the weekend ahead.
Pickleball Tournament – Saturday, May 30, 7 am – 1 pm
Serve, rally, and connect at St Pete Pride’s Pickleball Tournament, a fun, beginner-to-intermediate event in the Sunshine City. This friendly competition brings players together for movement, laughter, and Pride—on and off the court.
Sunset Beach Party – Saturday, May 30, 6 pm
Celebrate Pride by the water as the sun dips below the horizon and the shoreline comes alive. With music, movement, and ocean air, this beachside gathering blends golden-hour vibes with unforgettable energy.
Sunday is a Drag Brunch – Sunday, May 31, 11 am – 2 pm
Wrap up the weekend with sparkle, sass, and standout performances at Sunday’s Drag Brunch. Big personalities, bold looks, and brunch favorites come together for a joyful daytime celebration of Pride.
By the time it’s all done, Pride Month in St. Pete will be well and underway, featuring an entire month of celebrations, highlighted by the annual parade and the street festival. St Pete Pride is Florida’s largest LGBTQ+ nonprofit and the producer of the state’s biggest Pride celebration, drawing 400,000+ attendees each year across its many events. Learn more about Kickoff Weekend here.
