Celebrate Pride in Staunton, VA

October is LGBTQ+ history month, and Staunton Pride as well as various community partners are working together this fall to host a number of Pride events, including Staunton Pride Festival.

Staunton Pride returns for an afternoon filled with live entertainment, local makers, delicious food, and the kind of community spirit that brings thousands of people together. It’s a celebration of individuality, belonging, and the wonderfully diverse people who make the Shenandoah Valley what it is.

Whether you’re a longtime Pride attendee or joining the festivities for the first time, come as you are, bring your favorite people, and get ready for a good time.

Pride Festival

The historic Gypsy Hill Park bandstand will be at the center of the festivities on Saturday, October 17, from noon-5pm as Staunton Pride fills the surrounding park with music, laughter, colorful displays, and plenty of reasons to stick around all afternoon.

More than 5,000 people attended last year’s festival, and this year’s celebration promises another memorable gathering.

Here’s what you can look forward to

• Music & Entertainment: The bandstand comes alive with performances throughout the afternoon. Grab a spot on the lawn and enjoy the show.
• Local Makers & Vendors: Browse a vibrant collection of artists, makers, LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and community organizations. It’s a chance to discover something new while supporting the people who make our region so creative.
• Food & Drinks: Follow your appetite to the food trucks, grab something delicious, and enjoy the festival’s beer garden.
• Family Fun: Pride is for the whole family! A dedicated children’s activity area ensures little festivalgoers have plenty to enjoy, too.

A Little Community Care Goes a Long Way

The merrymakings are just one part of what makes Staunton Pride special.

The festival’s Health & Wellness Hub brings together organizations offering helpful resources, health services, and opportunities to connect with local providers.

Participating organizations include the Central Shenandoah Health District, Augusta Health, and The ARROW Project. Visitors will also find a designated WARM Room, offering a quieter space to recharge when a break from the excitement is needed.

This year’s festival is also launching a new initiative. The Shenandoah LGBTQ Center‘s Mutual Aid Corner has been running low. This event offers the perfect platform to help them restock. Some of the most needed items are shampoo, menstrual products, deodorant, hot hands, detergents, and travel sized soaps. Bring a donation to Pride and get a Pride Quest Guide!

The Guide will have a list of items and booths to check out through out the festival – like checking your voter registration, meeting some of our mutual aid vendors, stopping by a queer-owned vendor, watching a performance and more. Once you have completed the guide, bring it back to the HQ/Merch Booth and be entered into a raffle to win a merch bundle.

Keep the Good Times Going in Downtown Staunton

When the afternoon winds down, there’s still plenty of Staunton left to explore.

Just minutes from Gypsy Hill Park, Staunton’s historic streets are lined with independent shops, art galleries, bookstores, restaurants, and inviting places to grab a drink. Browse somewhere you’ve never been, find a new favorite restaurant, or simply wander and see where the evening takes you.

Visiting from out of town? Consider staying for the weekend. With fall colors beginning to show off across the Shenandoah Valley, October is a particularly beautiful time to experience Staunton.

Want to get involved or have questions? Contact Staunton Pride.

Since its founding in 2018, Staunton Pride has grown into a beloved annual tradition that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and welcomes friends, families, neighbors, and visitors from across the Valley and beyond.

Organized by a dedicated team of volunteers, Staunton Pride also supports the Shenandoah LGBTQ Center, extending the spirit of connection and community well beyond festival day.

Because when you bring together good people, great music, a little creativity, and a whole lot of heart, wonderful things happen.

Come celebrate with us on October 17!

For updated entertainment schedules, vendor announcements, and festival details, visit Staunton Pride’s official website.