2025 Pride: 7 ways to celebrate in Houston
From fashion shows to parades and business luncheons, these 2025 Pride events are happening right in Houston’s backyard.
Houston’s a rowdy town in the best way, and it’s been made that way on purpose. For example, our beautiful city is the home of Beyoncé, who serenaded us live on Netflix on Christmas Day last year, giving locals and fans around the world alike the first unadulterated taste of her “Cowboy Carter” vocals. But even outside of always going up for Queen Bey, Houston knows how to have a good time—just take a look at all of the exciting Houston events happening this summer for proof.
Some of the most important events being held in the city and its surroundings this summer are the 2025 Pride events. Now, don’t get us wrong: Pride is important every year, but it might be a skosh more this year because of the political onslaught being waged on queer and trans folks nationwide. For those who can, using their voices and being visible is an inherent act of defiance that shows the resilience LGBTQ+ individuals have been forced to muster over centuries of persecution.
If you want to show yourself in all of your stunning glory this summer, you have a few key options, ranging from Houston’s annual Pride celebration to smaller, more intimate events. There’s something for everyone, and they don’t overlap much, so if you plan accordingly, you can celebrate Pride 2025 with as much “sweet honey buckin’” as possible. Here are seven events you need to know about this year.
1. 2025 Pride in Business Celebration Luncheon & Awards
Address: 1600 Lamar St., Houston, TX 77010
Date: June 6
Time: 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Fee: $125-$250
Sometimes, Pride events are colorful parades set to a hyped-up soundtrack, and other times, they’re a formal affair that aims to lift up and celebrate leaders in the LGBTQ+ community. That’s where the 2025 Pride in Business Celebration Luncheon & Awards comes in.
This year’s event will be held in the Imperial Ballroom at Hilton Americas-Houston. If you’re interested in the intersections between subversive identity and business, it will be a great opportunity to connect with like-minded queer and trans folks.
The event promises good food, prestigious awards being handed out to local heroes, and a special guest who has played a prominent role in American queer history: Jim Obergefell. (If his name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the Obergefell of the Supreme Court case Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized gay marriage nationwide in Pride Month 2015.)
This is a pricier event compared to others on this list, but it should be a great time.
2. The Night Game’s Pride 2025 Celebration
Address: 2610 Farm to Market 1960 Rd E, Houston, TX 77073
Date: June 14
Time: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.
Fee: $30-$110
The Night Game is an elite lifestyle club in Houston, and it’s the place to be for 2025 Pride if you’re looking for a wilder time than you can experience at a traditional parade or festival. On June 14, The Night Game is hosting its Pride 2025 event with a dress code that encourages attendees to “wear [their] best rainbow attire.”
The establishment has a BYOB policy, though drink mixers will be provided, so you don’t have to worry about lugging too much along with you. We won’t get into too many details, but this is the most risqué option on our list for those who want to spice up their lives. Just note the prices before you arrive: Single men have an entrance cover of $110, while single women have a cover of $30. Couples cost $95. Enjoy responsibly!
3. Rock the Runway 2025
Address: 2600 Travis St., Houston, TX 77006
Date: June 25
Time: 6 p.m.-11 p.m.
Fee: $13-$58
Maybe parades are too sweaty for you (we completely get it), or maybe you just prefer checking out the latest sartorial movements making waves in your community. If that’s the case, we’ve got just the event for you: Rock the Runway 2025.
What makes this event so special is its commitment to showcasing LGBTQ+ community members at every step along the way, including designers, models, DJs, and more. This creates a fun and cozy environment, as you know you’re surrounded by folks like you, and get to witness walking art made by folks like you.
For $13, you can buy general admission to gawk at the duds, which include formal and casual wear alike, or for $58, you can purchase a VIP pass that includes food, meet and greets, better seating, and more. To put it plainly, this is the Met Gala for the local queer and trans scene, and you won’t want to miss it.
4. Everything’s Bigger Pride Festival
Address: 1803 Pease St, Houston, TX 77003
Dates: June 26-30
Time: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Fee: $20-$150
We in Houston know the saying “everything’s bigger in Texas” all too well, but did you know that this old adage has had its way with Pride, too?
The Everything’s Bigger Pride Festival is slated to send off Pride Month in a raging blaze of glory thanks to several days of lighthearted partying with fellow members of the LGBTQ+ community. According to DNVRMX, the organization that hosts the event, the Everything’s Bigger Pride Festival is “the biggest multi-day pride festival in Texas,” making it a must-do for lovers of live music, dancing, drag, and unabashed camaraderie.
The events at this year’s festival include a jungle-themed Tribal Madness night, an after-hours party sponsored by Magnum, and the “massive main event” on Sat., June 28. This is the circuit party of all circuit parties in Houston, so slip on your hot pants and be prepared to dance the night(s) away.
5. 47th Annual Houston Pride Celebration
Address: 901 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002
Date: June 28
Time: 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Fee: $7-$344
Houston has a rich queer scene, which shows in spades at its yearly Pride event. This year, the 47th Annual Houston Pride Celebration is slated to rock City Hall and the surrounding areas for a whopping 11 hours, and you’re not going to want to miss it.
This celebration consists of two main events: the festival, which requires a ticket, and the evening parade, which is free for all. It’s one of the best free things to do in Houston, if you ask us, especially at dusk when the heat breaks and the city glistens under the twilight sun rays.
Like most big 2025 Pride celebrations, you can expect surprise celebrity guests, electrifying drag performances, entrancing live music, mouth-watering food, and friendly vendors to grace the festival and parade. It’s a day of nonstop fun—and one you’ll never regret attending.
6. Heavy Hitters Pride
Address: N/A
Dates: July 24-27
Time: 1 p.m.-2 a.m. on July 24, 12 p.m.-3 a.m. on July 25, 12:30 p.m.-2 a.m. on July 26, 12 p.m.-onward on July 27
Fee: $325-$250
Body-shaming is sadly very common in the queer community, which makes us glad to have Heavy Hitters Pride right in our backyard. Do note, though, that the location for this event doesn’t appear to have been made public yet.
Heavy Hitters Pride was founded in 2013 with the goal of creating spaces in Houston where plus-size queer men could feel not only welcome and safe but also appreciated and adored.
The organization’s events, including the annual summer fling, are open to all plus-size men, as well as those who “admire” plus-size men and allies. The weekend’s itinerary is curated in a way that lets attendees network and really get to know their fellow community members from the area. It includes built-in mingling time, and once you’ve met some new friends (and perhaps a new crush or two), it’s time for the really fun stuff. The event’s 2025 Pride schedule includes Zumba, shared meals, a pool party, late-night dancing, and more.
Ultimately, this event is a love letter to plus-size queer men—and a reminder that big boys are beautiful, too.
7. Pride Galveston
Address: 2501 Avenue Q, Galveston, Texas 77550 (Robert’s Lafitte) & 731 Seawall Blvd., Galveston, Texas 77550 (The Beach Hut)
Dates: Aug. 29-31
Time: 10:30 p.m. on Aug. 29, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. & 9 p.m.-2 a.m. on Aug. 30, 12 p.m.-7 p.m. on Aug. 31
Fee: Free
Last but definitely not least, Pride Galveston is the best way to end your 2025 Pride festivities in the Houston area. If you don’t know, Galveston is a coastal city not far from Houston, and its official event extends the conversation of love and acceptance by happening at the end of summer, two months after Pride Month.
Throughout this three-day event, celebrants will be able to shantay into a few events, including drag shows, a pool party, and a Beach Bash consisting of yummy food, live music, and all the beach fun you could possibly want. There’s even a neon party for those who love a good theme. If you ask us, this is the perfect chance to bring back the oh-so sweetly bright duds we all bought during “Barbie” summer a couple of years ago.
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