The Rosemary District becomes the center of the Suncoast on Saturday, Oct. 24, when Project Pride SRQ presents the 2026 Gulfcoast Pride Festival & Street Party from 4 to 11 p.m. The theme this year is “Carry Pride Forward,” and the event remains free and open to all ages. An expanded footprint now spans Pride Plaza, Overton Square and a new Community Stage near the vendor marketplace, giving the festival more room for vendors, food, and community resource organizations.
The 4-8 p.m. community festival is built for everyone. The Sarasota City YMCA and ALSO Youth lead a Family Zone, Big Waters Land Trust presents “Rooted in Pride,” and FAB Arts brings its 0-99 exhibit. The Community Stage features Azara Ballet, The Sarasota Players, Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe and local drag queens, hosted by Adriana Sparkle. Project Pride SRQ will also recognize its inaugural Gulfcoast Pride Honoree, Dame Lindsay Carlton-Cline, and bring back the interactive Pride Arch Installation.
After dark, SRQ Beats produces a DJ-led Pride Street Party from 8-11 p.m. in Pride Plaza. With Gulf Coast Community Foundation as lead community partner, the night showcases a Sarasota nonprofit that has served the LGBTQ+ community since 2019. Will you be heading to the Rosemary District on Saturday, and are you there for the afternoon festival or the street party? Let us know in the comments.
