Rocket City Pride 2025
- 19 October 2025
- Huntsville, AL
Huntsville’s Rocket City Pride Festival has grown into one of Alabama’s most anticipated lgbtq+Q celebrations. What began in the late 2010s as a Facebook group for queer residents and allies quickly turned into a support network that raised money for community causes and hosted regular meet‑ups. By the time the group formalized as a 501(c)(3) non‑profit, the organizers were thinking much bigger. They wanted to create an event that offered more than a parade – a day that pulled together music, art, activism and family activities so that people from every corner of the state could feel welcome. That idea eventually became Rocket City Pride.
The 2025 festival is set for Sunday, 19 October 2025 at the Orion Amphitheater in Huntsville. The amphitheater is an open‑air venue that sits on the edge of MidCity, and its large lawn and stage make it an ideal place for a day‑long celebration. Admission and parking are free according to the venue’s event listing【662612593361021†L134-L159】, so guests can simply wander in and out throughout the afternoon. Gates usually open late morning and entertainment runs until early evening. Keep an eye on the official website in the weeks before the event for set times and maps of the grounds, as the layout often changes to accommodate more vendors and a growing crowd.
One of the festival’s biggest draws is its vendor village. Expect rows of pop‑up tents with artists selling handmade jewelry, screen‑printed T‑shirts and paintings inspired by space exploration and queer culture. Local businesses use the day to debut pride‑themed products, and there are always a few out‑of‑town makers who bring wares you won’t find anywhere else. Food trucks park along the perimeter, offering everything from barbecue and smoked turkey legs to vegan tacos and fresh squeezed lemonade. Lines can be long during peak hours, so it helps to arrive early if there’s a particular snack you’re hoping to try.
Live entertainment anchors the day. A rotating lineup of regional bands, drag performers, dance troupes and spoken‑word artists take the stage, and the planners work hard to represent the diversity of the Rocket City. In previous years you might have seen a high‑energy pop singer followed by a gospel choir and then a drag queen lip‑syncing to a disco classic. 2025 promises more of the same eclectic mix. Between sets, emcees highlight upcoming acts and invite crowd participation. The energy is infectious – people dance, sing along, wave flags and cheer for their friends. There is also a kids’ zone tucked away near the lawn where families can enjoy face painting and crafts, a reminder that Rocket City Pride is designed as a family‑friendly festival【885103571219281†L31-L36】.
Community engagement is at the heart of the festival. Rows of tables staffed by non‑profit organizations and community groups hand out brochures and answer questions about mental health services, HIV testing, voter registration and support groups for parents of queer youth. In a television interview about a previous festival, board president Jeremiah Dameron explained that the event isn’t just about celebration – it’s about creating a space where people can be visible and feel safe【64023062502084†L185-L253】. That ethos remains a guiding principle. Volunteers wander the grounds in brightly colored shirts ready to offer directions or just a friendly hello.
What sets Rocket City Pride apart from many pride festivals is its sense of place. Huntsville is nicknamed the Rocket City because of its long association with the U.S. space program, and that spirit of innovation and exploration infuses the celebration. lgbtq+Q scientists and engineers who work at the nearby Marshall Space Flight Center march alongside drag artists and activists. Neighbors who have lived in the area their whole lives mingle with newcomers who moved here for jobs in aerospace. It’s a reminder that queer people are part of every industry and every neighborhood.
If you’re traveling in from outside the area, plan ahead. The Orion is located near a cluster of hotels and restaurants, but rooms can book up quickly around festival weekend. Free parking is available on‑site, though carpooling or using a ride‑share service will save you from hunting for a spot. MidCity has plenty to explore beyond the festival grounds, including the U.S. Space & Rocket Center and a growing number of breweries and cafes. Make a weekend of it so you can take in some of Huntsville’s other attractions.
Rocket City Pride is organized by volunteers, and there are always opportunities to get involved. Whether you want to help set up booths, assist with vendor check‑in or just donate a few dollars to keep the festival free, your support makes a difference. Check the official website for the latest schedule, performer announcements, vendor applications and volunteer sign‑up forms. With each passing year the festival grows a little bigger and a little more dynamic, but at its core it remains what it has always been – a day for the community to come together, celebrate each other and remind everyone that Huntsville is proud of its queer residents.
