For one weekend every June, downtown Columbus becomes a celebration of visibility, community, and unapologetic self-expression. This year, Stonewall Columbus Pride returns June 19-20 with a theme that reaches far beyond the festival gates: Until We’re All Free.
The annual Pride Festival and March will once again fill Goodale Park and High Street with music, community organizations, food vendors, local businesses, advocacy groups, and thousands of attendees coming together from across Central Ohio and beyond.
But as organizers point out, Pride has always been about more than a party.
“Until We’re All Free” reflects the belief that liberation is collective. The theme serves as both a reminder of the movement’s roots and a call to continue advocating for a future where everyone can live safely, openly, and authentically.
“Pride has always been about more than celebration. It’s about justice, dignity, and the freedom to live fully and authentically,” said Stonewall Columbus Executive Director Densil Porteous in announcing the theme earlier this year.
Pride Festival | Friday & Saturday.
The weekend kicks off Friday evening in Goodale Park, where festivalgoers can browse vendors, connect with local organizations, enjoy food from around the city, and catch live entertainment throughout the park.
The festival grounds will be filled with opportunities to connect with community resources, learn about local advocacy efforts, and celebrate alongside friends, family, and chosen family.
Visitors can also take part in Queer Yoga sessions hosted in the park throughout Pride weekend. Led by Queer Behavior Yoga Studio, the classes are designed to be welcoming for all experience levels.
Pride March | Steps Off At 10:30 a.m.
The Stonewall Columbus Pride March begins at Broad Street and High Street before traveling north through downtown toward Goodale Park.
Every year, the march brings together community organizations, businesses, advocacy groups, families, and individuals in one of the largest public demonstrations of LGBTQ+ visibility in Ohio.
Festival Continues In Goodale Park
Following the march, the Pride Festival continues with a full day of entertainment, community engagement, food, and celebration.
Just north of the route, the Greater Columbus Convention Center will host its PRIDE Party on the Plaza from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring a live DJ, dance party, giveaways, specialty food and drinks, and views of the march along High Street.
Bat-N-Rouge | Gates Open At Noon
One of Columbus’ most beloved Pride traditions returns for its 39th year on Sunday at Dodge Park. Bat-N-Rouge combines drag and softball into a fundraiser unlike anything else on the city’s event calendar, with players taking the field in full costume while raising money for local charities.
Gates open at noon, pre-game festivities begin at 1 p.m., and the game starts at 2:30 p.m. Expect food trucks, music, community organizations, cold drinks, and plenty of laughs as Pride weekend comes to a close.
Pride Month celebrations extend well beyond the main weekend.
On June 16, the annual Interfaith Pride Service will bring together faith leaders and community members from diverse religious and secular traditions for an evening centered on inclusion, dignity, and belonging.
Stonewall Columbus will also host its second annual Drag Race on June 27, a fun run and community fundraiser that encourages participants to run, walk, dance, strut, or roll their way through the Short North before wrapping up with a block party celebration.
Throughout June and into July, Columbus will host drag brunches, neighborhood Pride events, pet-friendly gatherings, and community celebrations across the city.
Downtown traffic will be impacted throughout Pride weekend, particularly Saturday morning as streets close for the march route. Organizers recommend planning ahead and considering public transportation, rideshare services, biking, or walking whenever possible.
If you’re heading downtown, bring sunscreen, stay hydrated, and wear comfortable shoes. You’ll likely spend plenty of time exploring the festival grounds.
The first Pride events were born out of protest following the Stonewall Uprising in 1969.
More than five decades later, that history remains part of the celebration. The 2026 theme acknowledges that the fight for equality is ongoing and that progress depends on solidarity across communities.
As thousands gather in downtown Columbus this June, Pride will once again serve as a celebration of joy, visibility, resilience, and community. But it will also serve as a reminder of the work that remains.
Until we’re all free, the work continues.
For additional information about the Pride Festival, March, and other Pride Month events, visit Stonewall Columbus.
