Baltimore Pride 2025: parade, dates and hotels

Baltimore Pride is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, typically held each June during Pride Month. The event has been running for several decades and has grown significantly over the years. With over 100,000 spectators, Baltimore Pride is frequently one of the biggest pride events in Maryland.

Baltimore Pride is organized by the Pride Center of Maryland (formerly the GLCCB - Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center of Baltimore), which uses the event both as a celebration and as an opportunity to raise funds for year-round community services and support programs. Baltimore is John Waters' country, so it's a very suitable place to host Pride events.

What to expect in 2025

Baltimore Pride 2025 is set to be a landmark celebration, marking the 50th anniversary of the city's LGBTQ+ Pride festivities. Themed "50 Shades of Pride," the event will run from June 8 to June 15, 2025, featuring a week-long series of events.

Pride Parade and Pride in the Park

The Baltimore Pride Parade will be held on Saturday, June 14, moving through the historic neighborhoods of Mount Vernon and Station North. Following the parade, Pride in the Park will take place on June 14 and 15 at Druid Hill Park.

Twilight on the Terrace and Community Events

Twilight on the Terrace, Baltimore Pride’s signature gala event, will return as a ticketed evening of dining, drinks, and entertainment on 13 June. The gala is also a major fundraiser supporting the year-round work of the Pride Center of Maryland.

Baltimore Pride history

Baltimore Pride has a rich history dating back to 1975. What began as a modest rally of activists in Charles Plaza has transformed over the decades into a weekend-long festival attracting tens of thousands of attendees. Throughout its journey, Baltimore Pride has weathered challenges from the AIDS crisis of the 1980s to political opposition, while consistently providing a voice for the city's diverse LGBTQ+ communities. 

The event has been particularly notable for its strong connections to Baltimore's Black LGBTQ+ community, embracing intersectionality long before it became a mainstream concept. As the event grew, it migrated from its original home in Mount Vernon to various locations, including Druid Hill Park, though always maintaining its distinctly Baltimore character.

The Pride Center of Maryland (formerly the GLCCB) has guided the event through these transformations, ensuring that while the festival has grown more inclusive and commercially viable, it remains true to its activist roots and community-oriented mission.

Planning on staying for Baltimore Pride? Check out our guide to the best hotels in Baltimore for gay travelers.