Pride 2026 is upon us! While attending a parade is a great way to show support, here’s how to go even further in your celebrations throughout Texas.
Pride 2026 is officially here, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate across Texas. Cities throughout the state host big, joyful parades supporting LGBTQIA+ communities, notably in Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio this month, and in Austin in August.
However, maybe a parade isn’t your jam, or you’re already planning to attend one or more. In any case, we’ve got you covered—here are seven other ways you can celebrate Pride 2026.
Remember where Pride comes from
Back in the 1960s, living openly as a gay, lesbian, or bisexual person conflicted with many state laws and policies. Particularly in New York, establishments couldn’t serve alcohol to “homosexuals.” People could be arrested for wearing articles of clothing that didn’t “match” their sex. And they had to live in constant fear of threats, blackmail, or other attacks.
On June 28, 1969, police raided the Stonewall Inn in New York City’s Greenwich Village. This wasn’t the first time a business was raided, but this time people fought back. A crowd built up during the raid, throwing objects at police while blocking their way. The police barricaded themselves inside the Stonewall Inn while other onlookers joined in to show their support.
The crowd moved along streets shouting, “Gay Power!” and “Liberate Christopher Street!” It was this moment where people from the LGBTQ+ community realized they weren’t alone. As American gay rights activist Frank Kameny recalled: “By the time of Stonewall…we had fifty to sixty gay groups in the country. A year later, there were at least fifteen hundred.”
On the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the first gay pride march was held in Manhattan. As local movements continued to grow, President Bill Clinton recognized June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month in 1999. A decade later, President Barack Obama extended that proclamation to include the LGBTQ+ community.
While Pride celebrations are now prevalent across the country, Amanda W. Timpson, a queer public historian and founder of Yesterqueers, offered an important reminder: “Do remember that you don’t have to be ‘out’ to celebrate Pride. If you do want to invite people in, that’s up to you.”
Buy from an LGBTQ+-owned business
Supporting a local business is always a good idea, and buying from the LGBTQ+ community is an excellent way to celebrate Pride 2026. There are running lists of LGBTQ+-owned businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which encompasses just about every product or service you could possibly want.
For example, head to Liberty Burger or Zen Sushi for a satisfying bite to eat. Or give your dog some play time with Go Go Dog Walk. Get your game on at Common Ground Games, home to popular trading card and board games, plus many you’ve probably never heard of—the best way to discover something new.
Outside of DFW, Side Peace in Houston hosts watch parties for various women’s sports and regularly puts on inclusive events, such as Lesbian Latin Night and Drag Bingo. In Austin, you can support dozens of vendors at “the queerest events in all of Austin,” the Little Gay Shop’s Market Series. Or, visit 1972 Pub for one of the best burgers in town, with stylish decor honoring women and gender-expansive sports. Supporting businesses includes entertainers: Corpus Christi is hosting several different events put on by LGBTQ+ friendly groups, including a comedy night and square dancing lessons.
Bring Pride into sports and entertainment
Singing and music are a key part of Pride parades, and those good vibes extend to concert settings. The Turtle Creek Chorale is taking its “Pride As Big As Texas” show on the road, bringing its vibrant LGBTQ+ community and allies around the Lone Star State. The concert features music from Texas musicians, including Willie Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, and Beyoncé. If you’re the type to stay and enjoy music at home, you can donate to multiple Texas artists in the Pride Bands Alliance.
Sports and fitness are welcoming environments, as well. For example, Castle Hill Fitness is hosting a Pride Right for Out Youth, encouraging riders to wear their most colorful fits as they ride stationary bikes to a high-energy playlist of iconic divas. The El Paso Locomotives soccer club and El Paso Chihuahuas baseball team are both hosting Pride nights with stylish limited-edition merch that helps raise money for community organizations.
Later in the year, you can attend aGLIFF, the longest-running queer film festival in the U.S. Southwest. aGLIFF is also older than AFF and SXSW, two renowned Austin festivals. The festival welcomes LGBTQ+ films that are important to the community and distributes substantial monetary prizes to help filmmakers bring their works to life.
Don’t make assumptions
Whether you’re attending a Pride parade or another event, you’ll encounter crowds of people. Someone might make quick judgments depending on how someone looks, but work on practicing inclusive actions.
That means not assuming someone identifies in a particular way based on their look. Clothing, hairstyles, jewelry, flags, and other accessories can all serve as fashion statements; that doesn’t always extend to gender or sexual orientation statements. People might simply enjoy a particular style.
“Don’t make assumptions. If you see a couple or a person at Pride who you don’t think should be there, check yourself,” said Blair Imani, author, historian, and educator. “You can’t tell a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation just by looking at them.”
Attend a drag brunch
The very first drag show I ever attended was kind of by accident. A friend invited me to an early lunch at Hamburger Mary’s. Towards the end of the meal, the front of the restaurant transformed into a stage, and drag brunch began. I was blown away by what unfolded before me. Like many drag shows, this one was a mix of music, dancing, theatre, and humor; add brunch to that, and it’s just about a perfect combination.
Luckily, Texas has no shortage of drag brunches throughout June and the rest of the year. Austin’s Big Gay Drag Brunch is one of the state’s premier events, with a unique theme each month. Tickets include options to sit right by the runway and enjoy a bottle of bubbly with orange juice, so you can really be in the heart of the show.
Houston’s Boheme features weekly Sunday drag show brunches, or, if you prefer a few more letters and numbers in your life, you can check out Drag Queen Bingo on Saturday nights. In DFW, The Trove hosts “The Divas that Brunch” every Sunday, and it lives up to the name quite well. West Texans can head to El Paso’s Touch Bar, with a welcoming environment where everyone can relax and cheer their hearts out.
Remember to bring some cash to tip the performers, too. They’re putting in hard work to entertain!
Join or create a fundraising team
Equality Texas is the state’s largest LGBTQ advocacy organization and has served the community since 1978. Throughout Pride Month, it’s hosting a Pride with Purpose initiative, a team-based fundraising competition to support LGBTQ Texans. The initiative stems from a decrease in financial support from foundations and corporate partners, who are shifting some of their funding to other organizations rather than LGBTQ nonprofits.
“At the national level, for every $100 foundations were investing in organizations, only about 23 cents was going toward LGBTQ+ orgs and causes,” Equality Texas CEO Brad Pritchett said.
The organization has a goal of raising $100,000 throughout Pride Month. Any group can sign up, so grab a few friends, rally your coworkers, and design a fundraising page that creates a little magic.
There are countless other organizations working tirelessly to improve the lives of LGBTQIA+ community members. Tre’vell Anderson, a Black, trans, and nonbinary journalist, author, and media advocate who goes by the handle Rayzhon, launched the Trans Journalists Association to ensure media and researchers cover issues that impact trans people accurately and fairly. Rayzhon also shared other ways to show support.
“Fight back by supporting organizations like the ACLU, Lambda Legal, Gender Liberation Movement, Transgender Law Center, and my organization, the Trans Journalists Association.”
Don’t stop when the month ends
Though June is officially Pride month, welcoming the LGBTQIA+ community should happen year-round. Cities host local events throughout the year. For example, Austin’s Pride Festival is in late August, and you can find regularly updated event guides for Texas cities here. Not able to attend a particular event? You can always throw your own! Local business owners in any city would love the opportunity to host gatherings.
“Do organize spaces that are accessible, inclusive, and sober-friendly,” Rayzhon said. “Make space for disabled folks, and be intentional about including virtual events, as well.”
Even if there’s not a particular festival or parade going on, your support can continue. Shop at locally owned businesses, attend educational events, and just generally be nice to people. Pride is all about inclusivity. Whether or not you identify as LGBTQIA+, everyone deserves kindness.
Like Imani summed up: “Don’t stop celebrating at the end of the month. LGBTQ+ people exist year-round, not just during Pride.”
