Las Vegas Pride 2025: dates, parade, events

Las Vegas PRIDE 2025 is poised to be a spectacular event in the heart of the desert. Organized by the Southern Nevada Association of PRIDE, this is one of the more unique Pride events as it takes place at night.​ The Las Vegas PRIDE Night Parade in 2025 is set to take place on October 10.

Night Parade and Festival Highlights

The centerpiece of Las Vegas PRIDE is the Night Parade, which illuminates the streets of downtown Las Vegas with a kaleidoscope of colors. Participants and spectators alike can expect a procession of floats, performers, and community groups marching. The parade route typically winds through the Fremont Street area.

Planning Your Visit

Visitors planning to attend Las Vegas PRIDE 2025 are encouraged to book accommodations early, as the event attracts attendees from across the country. Downtown Las Vegas offers a range of hotel options close to the parade and festival venues. Public transportation and rideshare services are recommended for navigating the bustling event areas.

Las Vegas Pride History

Las Vegas Pride began in 1983 as a small gathering in a local park organized by LGBTQ+ community members seeking visibility in a city dominated by entertainment culture that, despite its risqué reputation, maintained conservative attitudes toward genuine LGBTQ+ expression. Many obviously gay Las Vegas performers pranced around on stage in sequins, but they kept their sexuality firmly hidden.

The inaugural celebration faced significant challenges, including difficulty securing permits and reluctance from businesses to be associated with the event during the early AIDS crisis, which was particularly stigmatizing in the image-conscious entertainment capital. Throughout the 1990s, as Las Vegas transformed into a more corporate, family-friendly destination before swinging back to its "Sin City" branding, Pride evolved alongside these changes, gradually gaining acceptance from the casino industry that recognized the economic potential of LGBTQ+ tourism.

The celebration found its distinctive character by embracing Las Vegas's theatrical flair, incorporating elaborate production values, celebrity entertainers from the Strip's shows, and nighttime parades that showcased the city's signature neon aesthetic. By the early 2000s, major casinos and entertainment venues began actively participating, signaling a significant shift in the city's relationship with its LGBTQ+ community and visitors. Today's Las Vegas Pride reflects this journey, having transformed from a marginalized gathering to a major tourism draw that generates significant economic impact, featuring a nighttime parade through downtown Las Vegas that capitalizes on the city's lighting expertise.