Vermont Pride 2025
- 7 Sep 2025
- Burlington, VT
Vermont Pride 2025
==================
### A week of queer joy in the Green Mountain State
Each September, Vermont transforms into a beacon of inclusion as Pride Vermont – the state’s largest **2STLGBQIA+** celebration – takes over Burlington and communities across the state. Organised by the **Pride Center of Vermont**, the festival has grown from a modest march of a few hundred people in the 1980s into a week‑long event that draws thousands of participants. The Pride Center describes the festival as a space for **queer joy, community building and solidarity**, culminating in a daytime, family‑friendly Pride Parade & Festival in downtown Burlington【539724894459780†L86-L92】.
### Dates and schedule for 2025
For 2025, Pride Week runs **Saturday, August 30 through Saturday, September 6**, with daily events scattered around the state. Workshops, panel discussions, film screenings, drag brunches, queer hikes and volunteer projects will highlight Vermont’s queer culture and activism. The week is capped off with the main **Parade & Festival on Sunday, September 7, 2025**, taking place in downtown Burlington. The official fundraiser page notes that Pride Vermont 2025 takes place **Sunday, September 7th, 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM Eastern time** at Waterfront Park【848063862918773†L20-L63】. Applications to participate in the parade or vend at the festival open early in the year and must be submitted by **July 31, 2025**; approved participants will be notified by **August 8** and must confirm by **August 22**【855333150007863†L37-L65】. Payment of participation fees is due by **September 1**【855333150007863†L65-L71】.
### Parade route and festival grounds
The Pride Parade will again weave through the heart of Burlington. Marchers gather near the south end of **Church Street** and step off at noon, travelling past the city’s bustling cafés and boutiques while cheering crowds line the pedestrian mall. The route turns toward Main Street and ends at **Waterfront Park**, the city’s grassy lakeside gathering space. Spectators often show up early with signs and rainbow flags; participants are encouraged to bring creative floats, bikes, puppets and banners to express their identities. Groups range from local lgbtq+Q+ support organisations and university clubs to supportive businesses, churches and marching bands. Bystanders join the procession spontaneously, contributing to the welcoming, unscripted atmosphere. To reduce congestion, carpooling, cycling and using public transit are encouraged.
At **Waterfront Park**, the free festival kicks off immediately after the parade. Large tents provide shade for **live music**, **drag shows**, **dance performances** and spoken‑word poetry. Vendors sell everything from pride flags and handmade crafts to Vermont maple syrup and artisan cheeses. Food trucks serve farm‑fresh fare, and beer gardens pour craft brews and ciders. A **Family Zone** features games, face painting and arts activities for children and teens, while a **Health & Wellness** area hosts community groups offering HIV testing, mental health resources and information about local support services. The Pride Center emphasises that the festival is family‑friendly, free of charge and accessible to people of all abilities.
### Highlights of Pride Week
The week leading up to the parade is packed with activities designed to engage people across Vermont:
* **Kickoff Tea Dance (Aug 30):** The opening party at a Burlington nightclub offers DJs, drag performances and a chance to meet the Pride Vermont team. All proceeds support the Pride Center’s community programmes.
* **Pride Hikes & Picnics:** Guided hikes in the Green Mountains and along Lake Champlain showcase Vermont’s natural beauty while providing a safe space for queer people and allies to connect outdoors. Families are welcome, and dogs on leashes often sport rainbow bandanas.
* **Trans & Non‑Binary Visibility Day:** A day of workshops and panels dedicated to trans and non‑binary experiences in Vermont. Topics include healthcare access, legal rights and storytelling. Evening events may include an open‑mic night and a clothing swap.
* **Rural Pride Tour:** Recognising that many lgbtq+Q+ Vermonters live outside Burlington, the Pride Center partners with small towns for pop‑up events such as queer potlucks, film screenings and youth art shows. These gatherings help build networks of support in rural areas and demonstrate that Pride is statewide, not just urban.
* **Queer Craft Fair:** Local artisans sell handmade jewelry, clothing, ceramics and zines. Workshops encourage participants to try printmaking, sewing and upcycling. The fair emphasises sustainable, ethical production and supports queer artists’ livelihoods.
* **Drag Brunch:** Hosted at a downtown restaurant, this high‑energy brunch features performances by Vermont’s favourite queens and kings. Tickets sell out quickly; it is advisable to reserve seats in advance.
### Community impact and values
Pride Vermont is more than a party; it serves as a platform for advocacy and education. The Pride Center of Vermont funds year‑round programmes for HIV prevention, trans wellness, older adult support (through the Momentum programme) and QTPOC (Queer & Trans People of Color) initiatives. During Pride Week, many events double as fundraisers to sustain these efforts. The Pride Center stresses that businesses and organisations participating in the parade and festival must align with values of inclusivity and equity. In 2025 the organisation introduced a formal application process with deadlines and review criteria to ensure that participants reflect the spirit of Pride【855333150007863†L37-L87】. This shift addresses rapid growth and limited capacity at the festival site, ensuring that the event remains manageable and safe.
Pride Vermont also plays an important economic role. Thousands of visitors travel to Burlington for the weekend, filling hotels and restaurants and giving local artisans and performers a platform. The festival showcases Vermont’s tourism appeal and demonstrates that queer and trans people are integral to the state’s cultural fabric. The event has garnered statewide support from officials and businesses, and in recent years the governor and Burlington’s mayor have marched in the parade.
### Practical information for attendees
* **Admission:** All Pride Week events are either free or low‑cost. The parade and festival are free to attend, but donations to the Pride Center of Vermont are encouraged. Tickets for special events like the Drag Brunch and certain workshops should be purchased in advance.
* **Getting there:** Burlington International Airport (BTV) is served by several airlines and is about 10 minutes from downtown. Vermont Transit and Amtrak provide service to nearby stations. Parking downtown can be limited during Pride; consider cycling, walking, ride‑sharing or taking public transit.
* **Accessibility:** The Pride Center strives to make all events accessible. Waterfront Park has paved paths and designated wheelchair viewing areas. ASL interpreters are provided on the main stage, and accessible port‑a‑potties are available. Those with specific access needs are encouraged to contact the Pride Center in advance.
* **Weather:** Early September weather in Vermont can vary from warm and sunny to cool and rainy. Pack layers, sunscreen and a reusable water bottle. The festival goes on rain or shine; tents provide some shelter, but umbrellas are useful.
* **Code of conduct:** Respect, consent and safety are core values. Harassment, racism, transphobia, ableism and other forms of discrimination are not tolerated. Allies are reminded to centre queer and trans voices, amplify marginalised communities and follow the lead of those most affected.
### Looking ahead
As Pride Vermont looks beyond 2025, organisers hope to expand rural outreach, increase accessibility and incorporate more intersectional programming. Plans include partnering with Indigenous leaders to honour Vermont’s Abenaki heritage at future Pride events and collaborating with neighbouring states to create a New England Pride circuit. Whatever comes next, Pride Vermont will continue to be a dynamic space for celebration, resistance and community.