Key West · June
Key West Pride
Key West Pride is five days of parties, drag shows, pool events and street celebration, capped by the Sunday evening parade up Duval Street. It typically runs Wednesday through Sunday in the first week of June, organized by the Key West Business Guild. Dates for 2027 have not been announced yet.
Pride fits this island easily. Key West has been an LGBTQ haven for decades, the town's motto is One Human Family, and the guild has promoted gay travel here since the late 1970s. The celebration feels less like a corporate mega-event and more like a small town throwing a party it actually means.
Quick Facts
- When
- First week of June, Wednesday through Sunday
- Where
- Duval Street and venues across Old Town
- Main events
- Saturday street fair, Sunday evening parade
- Cost
- Street fair and parade free; some parties ticketed
- Organizer
- Key West Business Guild, 808 Duval St.
- Claim to fame
- The 2003 sea-to-sea rainbow flag
The parade and street fair
The big two are free and outdoors. Saturday brings a street fair on upper Duval with vendors, food and music. Sunday evening the parade rolls up Duval Street with floats, drag performers, local crews and a crowd that spills off both sidewalks. Grab a spot near the 800 block for the thick of it.
The flag story
In June 2003, for the flag's 25th anniversary, Gilbert Baker, the artist who created the rainbow flag, built a version 1.25 miles long and volunteers unrolled it down the entire length of Duval Street, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf. Sections of that flag traveled on to Pride events around the world. Key West Pride still trades on that legacy, and pieces of the original flag come out for the parade.
What it is like
Smaller and looser than the big-city Prides. You will not fight a million people for sidewalk space. Expect pool parties at the guesthouses, drag brunches, tea dances and a walkable schedule where everything is within fifteen minutes of everything else. June is hot and afternoon storms are routine, so plan the outdoor stuff early and keep a bar in mind for the rain.
- · Book rooms early. June is slower than winter but Pride week fills the gay guesthouses first.
- · The parade is Sunday evening, when the heat breaks. Arrive an hour early for a curb spot.
- · Most events are free or cheap. The ticketed parties post on the Business Guild site.
- · Drink water. June in Key West does not mess around.
Want more on Key West Pride?
Official details from the organizers, plus Keys Weekly's coverage from the newspaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Key West Pride 2027?
Dates have not been announced. Pride typically runs Wednesday through Sunday in the first week of June. Check gaykeywestfl.com for the announcement.
Is Key West Pride free?
The street fair and the Sunday parade are free. Some parties, brunches and shows around the week are ticketed by the individual venues.
Who runs Key West Pride?
The Key West Business Guild, the island's LGBTQ business association, headquartered at 808 Duval Street. The guild has promoted Key West as a gay destination since the late 1970s.
What was the sea-to-sea flag?
A 1.25-mile rainbow flag created by Gilbert Baker in 2003, unrolled down the full length of Duval Street from the Atlantic to the Gulf for the flag's 25th anniversary. Sections of it now travel to Pride events worldwide.
More Annual Events in the Keys
Key West · December
Key West Lighted Boat Parade
Decorated boats, a dark harbor and the whole Historic Seaport out on the docks. Free, and one of the best nights of December.
Key West · January
Key West Food & Wine Festival
Five days of tastings, wine strolls and chef dinners across the island, in the best weather week of the Key West year.
Key West · November
Key West Powerboat Races
Offshore race boats hitting triple digits in the harbor, three race days, and a parade of them down Duval to open the week.
Lower Keys · July
Underwater Music Festival
A radio station broadcasts a playlist underwater at Looe Key Reef while divers in costume play fake instruments. Really.