St. Pete-Clearwater is all about
sunshine and rainbows. More than just a beach destination, St. Pete-Clearwater
is home to a bright and welcoming LGBTQ+ community. Pride flags can be found
throughout the destination year-round with an extra pop of spirit during February’s
Winter Pride, but the city really comes alive in June for the St Pete PRIDE
Festival – the largest in Florida!
Sion Walton-Guest, founder of The Globetrotter Guys blog
and Instagram recently visited the area and shared “To say St. Pete
is a gay friendly destination would be a huge understatement. The destination
is loud, proud and visibly LGBTQ+ welcoming with many LGBTQ+ owned businesses
and safe spaces proudly flying their pride and trans flags. Arriving in St
Pete-Clearwater, I immediately felt welcomed and part of the majority which is
a rare thing to find.’’
Brian Lowack, CEO & President of Visit St.
Pete-Clearwater says “St. Pete-Clearwater is proud to be home to a welcoming
community for everyone all year round and especially throughout the month of
June. The St Pete PRIDE parade on 28 June 2025 is one of the can’t miss destination
events as one of the largest celebrations in America. The bright colours and
even brighter personalities paint our slice of paradise with sunshine,
rainbows, and unity throughout the festival.”
Read on to learn about the festival’s activities, plus the best
places to stay and eat during the festivities…
St Pete Pride Festival
Throughout the month of June, rainbows add colour to the streets, clubs,
and restaurants of downtown St. Pete in celebration of love, unity, and individuality.
The celebrations commence with the official Kick-Off Block Party followed by
history, culture, and comedy events throughout the month, before concluding
with a Street Parade on 29 June.
* Kick-Off Block
Party: Dance in the streets to live entertainment and celebrate like
everyone is watching! Taking place 1 June 2025, this free event is the perfect
way to start the month off with a bang.
* 2025
Transtastic: Join members of the local community for an intimate
night at the James Museum on 18 June for a celebration of the Trans and
Non-Binary community. Be inspired by local voices and honour the beauty of
being exactly who you’re born to be.
* 2025 Parade Day: Party with
PRIDE at the St Pete PRIDE Parade happening 28 June. Get loud alongside
hundreds of thousands of allies at the largest pride parade in Florida, as they
march, dance, and sing their way through the streets of St. Pete. From
flamboyant floats to giant glamstands and plenty of food and entertainment,
Parade Day is the can’t miss calendar event of the year.
Plus, with Pride events happening in nearby neighbourhoods of Dunedin and Gulfport, visitors are
sure to find a way to celebrate every day of the month.
Best Gay Bars & Eateries
Quench your thirst and dance the night away at St. Pete-Clearwater’s
most LGBTQ+ friendly spot in the Grand Central District. Take a plunge and
spend the day at The Wet Spot, a pool and day club for gay adults and indulge
in lavish drinks and a fair share of inuendoes at COCKtail in the night.
Both located at The Mari Jean Hotel, guests and day visitors can enjoy
entertainment, drag queen shows, and good vibes throughout June.
Step behind the hot pink doors of The Ball, St.
Pete-Clearwater’s newest LGBTQ+ pop art paradise bar. Embodying the LGBTQ+ icons
who paved the way, and dipped in glimmering lights and bright colours, The Ball
is all about curating a connected community under a sparkling disco ball to the
beats of the area’s best DJs.
Fuel up for the fun at Uptown Eats, an LGBTQ+ owned cafe
serving locally roasted coffee, house-made pastries, and craft sandwiches.
Start the day off bright with thick cut sugar-cured bacon and the daily
frittata or dive into an Uptown Reuben Sandwich for lunch.
Best LGBTQ+ Stays
No trip to St. Pete PRIDE is complete without the perfect place to
stay. Look no further than the
Mari Jean Hotel on Central
Avenue. One of the highest rated hotels in St. Pete, the Mari Jean Hotel is a
21+ hotel welcoming all identities who appreciate a sense of humour. Its
on-site night club, large pool area, and award-winning entertainment are just a
few of the reasons guests choose to stay here.
For those who want to combine their time at Pride with some relaxing
beach time, LGBTQ+ owned
Coconut Inn is the ideal
oasis. Located in the heart of Pass-a-Grille Beach, Coconut Inn provides an
authentic beach vacation with modern amenities. Hop on one of the hotels complimentary
beach bikes and discover the quaint historic neighbourhood full of
award-winning restaurants and rooftop bars before heading into downtown St.
Pete for all the Pride festivities.
So, get loud and proud in St. Pete this summer at the St Pete Pride
Festival. Whether staying for a day or all month long, everyone is sure to feel
the Pride in St. Pete-Clearwater!
Posted by: Visit St. Pete-Clearwater
Posted on: 09/05/2025