Crowd of diverse people gathered outdoors at a pride event, some sitting on the ground, others standing under large green trees, with balloons and rainbow flags visible.
Colorful abstract mountain range illustration with shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple on a black background.

Holler Loud, Love Proud

Blue Ridge Pride Festival 2026

Saturday September 26th in Downtown Asheville, NC

12-6 PM | Pack Square Park | Festival fun for the whole family!

Plus, a full week of Pride events around the festival! View all Pride Week events →

Event promotional poster with floral and nature illustrations, mentioning 'Holler Lollipop,' 'Blue Ridge Pride 2026,' and other decorative elements.

Holler Loud, Love Proud

The Blue Ridge Pride Festival returns to Downtown Asheville Fall 2026!

With over 200 booths, a full day of entertainment on the main stage, and record crowds, Blue Ridge Pride is proud to be the largest single-day festival in Downtown Asheville. Join us this year for our 2026 festival, and explore the full week of Pride Events happening around Asheville!

Congratulations to festival logo content winner, Erika Busse! Festival merch can be purchased from Erika’s website here.

Festival FAQ
Event schedule poster for Blue Ridge Pride 2026 at Holler Loud, Love Proud. Features performances including Gay Men's Chorus, Sal Landers, Brennan Page, Steppin Out AVL, Max Ringenbach, Anne Coombs & Company Swing, Matinee Drag Show, Carolina Down Boys, and Legendary Drag Show.

Festival Main Stage Schedule

12:00pm | The Asheville Gay Men's Chorus
12:40pm | Sal Landers
1:20pm | Brennan Page
2:00pm | Steppin Out AVL
2:40pm | Max Ringenbach
3:20pm | Anne Coombs & Company Swing
4:00pm | Matinee Drag Show
4:40pm | Carolina Down Boys
5:20pm | Legendary Drag Show

Pride Week Events

A person dressed in an all pink, flamboyant costume with a ruffled cape, a shiny pink top, sequin pants, and a pink hat with decorative tentacles, standing outdoors near columns.

Fund the Festival

Blue Ridge Pride is only possible with the support of the community.

The increased need for security and decision to go green has increased costs substantially. Help us fund a full, fabulous festival again this year! Become a sponsor by August 1st, or make a donation below to help us fund a full, fabulous festival again this year.

Donate to Blue Ridge Pride

Proud 2026 Festival Sponsors

The History of Pride in Asheville

Wondering when the first Pride in Asheville was, or why we have Pride in September? Watch our Oral History Project’s short video on Pride in Asheville!

Three people smiling at a booth at an outdoor market, decorated with floral fabric and colorful items, with a sign listing prices for earrings, handmade bands, and astrology readings.
A table at a pride event displays colorful animal-themed illustrations and signs, including one with foxes, owls, a raccoon, and a dog, advertising LGBTQ+ themed art and messages.
A cheerful man wearing glasses, a black cap, and a rainbow lei is holding a cardboard box at an outdoor LGBTQ+ pride event, standing in front of a yellow banner for the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville with rainbow decorations and a t
Two people sitting under a tent at an outdoor event, with beads and rainbow-themed decorations on a table, and a large banner with the word 'INFO' behind them.
Person wearing orange sunglasses, a wide-brim blue hat, and a tie-dye tank top with a unicorn graphic, holding a megaphone, sitting at a table with volunteer and pride event materials in front of a sign that reads 'Volunteer Information'.
Two women standing behind a table at an outdoor event, smiling and holding small signs with the ACT logo. Behind them is a backdrop with logos of the ACT theater productions and colorful decorations, under a white canopy tent.
Person smiling, using purple sunglasses, wearing a colorful shirt and patterned purple shorts, pushing a purple backpack, walking on a street at an outdoor event with multiple tents and group of people in the background.
Two people standing outdoors at an event with white tents, surrounded by fallen leaves; they are smiling and posing together, one wearing a pink crop top and rainbow shorts, and the other in a black t-shirt and jeans.
Two people, standing outdoors at a festival with booths and trees in the background. One is wearing sunglasses, a hat, a colorful floral and skull shirt, beige shorts, and sneakers, holding a water bottle. They are smiling and posing for the photo.
An outdoor stage setup for a Pride event with a rainbow flag on the backdrop and rainbow flags on the sides. Several people are sitting and standing, watching a performance, with some dressed in colorful clothing and accessories. The event is in a ci
Two women smiling at a pride event, one wearing rainbow socks and a rainbow heart shirt, the other wearing rainbow sunglasses and holding a rainbow heart sign, in front of a colorful banner and around rainbow-themed merchandise.