This year's theme, "Embrace Your Journey," invites attendees to embark on a whimsical adventure inspired by the classic tale of Alice in Wonderland, all while celebrating individuality, unity, and self-expression.
The festivities kick off with the Progress Pride Flag Raising Ceremony at Miami Beach City Hall, a symbolic gesture that has historically marked the official start of South Florida's Pride festivities, a ten-day event that's sure to bring some of your favorite drag queens and icons together all in one neighborhood.
Someone who knows the significance of Miami Beach Pride firsthand is Tiara Love Dupree, the reigning Miss Miami Beach Pride and a Palace Bar vet who has deep ties to the 305 LGBTQ+ community.
"I've been involved with Miami Beach Pride for years, dancing for queens in the pageant and supporting my coworkers at Palace. It's one of the best times in Miami," she tells New Times, "because we all get to come together and celebrate unity, and we get to see so many different people from different parts of the world and the different cultures and different things that people do in their cities."
While another year of Miami Beach Pride means another year of partying the night away, it's also coming in the early days of a second Trump administration; one queer activists are actively opposing in light of an onset of targeted legislation and executive orders. But for the community in South Florida, this year's Pride is a powerful testament to surviving and thriving in spite of those attacks.
"I think that being a part of being a part of Pride means just being my authentic self — being happy and being free — and that's what I want the people that are coming down here to experience," Dupree adds. "And despite whatever is going on in the political climate right now, I just have to say, for me, it hasn't affected me at all. So I really don't care. I don't care what [the administration] is trying to do. I don't care how they want to portray us. I don't care about any of that, because with every fiber in our being, we're still here, and we don't plan on going anywhere. So whatever they throw at us, I'm pretty sure we're going to be able to swing past it or just move forward, and we're not going to go down without a fight."
In an intentional move, Miami Beach Pride organizers have also scheduled this year's festival to avoid overlapping with Spring Break, Easter, or Passover, ensuring a more inclusive experience. Organizers say they're expecting more than 170,000 people from all corners of the world this year.
After the opening ceremony, Miami Beach will be buzzing with a variety of events catering to every facet of the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. On Friday, March 28, "Into the Wyld" at Hotel Gaythering will offer a dedicated women's event filled with live music and performances. Meanwhile, families can gather at Pride Park on March 29 for the Family Picnic.
One of the highlights of Miami Beach Pride is also the two-day festival at Lummus Park on Saturday, April 5, and Sunday, April 6. With three stages featuring world-class performances, the festival will also include unique activations such as the Seniors Lounge, the Garden of Eve women's tent, the Trans Pavilion, and the Calming Pavilion, a low-sensory space designed for individuals with autism, anxiety, or disabilities.
Of course, Miami Beach Pride would not be complete without its iconic parade. On April 6, beginning at noon, the parade will take over Ocean Drive, starting at Fifth Street and stretching north to 15th Street. Thousands of attendees will line the sidewalks to cheer on the dazzling floats, community organizations, and performers marching in celebration of love and identity. Leading this year's parade as Grand Marshals are Sasha Colby, the trans drag superstar who has taken the world by storm since winning Season 15 of RuPaul's Drag Race, and RaeShanda Lias, an NAACP Image Award nominee and social justice advocate with millions of social media followers.
Whether you're a longtime ally or experiencing the magic of Pride for the first time, this year's festivities promise to be a powerful reminder of the strength found in unity — especially during a time when coming together is a vital form of protection for the local queer community.
"One thing's for sure — it's going to be very, very hot, so come prepared. But you're going to have a damn good time," says Dupree. "Between the food, the performances, the souvenirs — you're just going to get a taste of so many different things. You'll even get to see queer performers really coming into their own within the art form of drag and beyond. So I guarantee you, when you come down here, whether it's your first time or you've been supporting us for years, you're going to have a fabulous time. And don't forget to come check out Palace because we've got some special things lined up, too."
Miami Beach Pride Schedule of Events:
- 6 p.m. Thursday, March 27 – Flag Raising Ceremony
- 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 27 – Pride Lights the Night
- 10 a.m. Saturday, March 29 – Family Picnic
- 7 p.m. Sunday, March 30 – Pride Movie Night
- 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 31 – Queer Art Showcase
- 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 – Social Justice Night
- 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 – Miss & Mister Miami Beach Pride Pageant
- 7 p.m. Friday, April 4 – Mad Hatter's VIP Tea Party
- Noon Saturday, April 5 – Pride Festival
- Noon Sunday, April 6 – Pride Festival & Parade
