Pride Vermont

Burlington’s Pride is Vermont’s biggest. The first parade rolled through in June 1983. By 2026, it was the 44th annual event. Since 2012, it’s moved to September. That’s when the college students returning for the fall semester are back in town.

The parade starts at noon on South Winooski Avenue. It heads up Church and Pearl Streets. Afterward, anyone can join the free afternoon festival at Battery Park on the lake. Expect food, local vendors, DJs, and drag.

The logistics shifted recently. The Pride Center of Vermont, the former organizer, paused operations in October 2025. A funding shortfall forced the halt. Losing a federal HIV grant, which covered about a quarter of its yearly revenue, was a major factor. To keep the parade alive, a coalition took over under the Pride Vermont name. The group includes Burly Bear, Out in the 802, Queer VT, and the City of Burlington. The 2026 parade happened on Sunday, 13 September. No crowd count was published. As of our last check, the 2027 dates hadn’t been announced.