Each year, thousands of people flock to the Houston Pride parade, and this year will look a little different, with two separate parades taking place on two different weekends. With a mass of floats filling the streets of Downtown Houston, it can be overwhelming to decide the best way to get the most out of your parade experiences. Fear not—we’ve got you covered!
PARADE ROUTES
New Faces of Pride
New Faces of Pride is first out the gate, with their parade taking place on Saturday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m. The parade map indicates the procession kicks off at the intersection of Smith and Lamar, with a brief turn down Walker before a long stretch down Milam.
Pride Houston 365
The 46th Annual Houston Pride Parade occurs on Saturday, June 29, at 7:30 p.m. It begins at Bagby and Lamar and continues up Smith to Walker, where it will make a right turn and run along Walker to Milam and continue down Milam to Pease Street.
TRANSPORTATION
METRORail in Houston
The Houston METRORail connects a number of different sections with each other, including Downtown and the Museum District. It is a cheap option but may require some walking. There is a helpful app, called METRO TRIP to guide you to your destination, but getting off at Main Street Square, then heading west toward City Hall is probably what you can expect. View METRORail lines, fare information, schedules, maps and more HERE.
Uber/Lyft
The city strongly encourages ridesharing, which requires the least amount of walking. Due to high demand, you may have to deal with surge pricing and waiting for a car. We suggest walking a few blocks away when leaving the parade to grab a car more easily.
And you feel like driving yourself, all parking garages will be open Downtown—but get there early to beat traffic and avoid road closures. Check out availability and reserve your parking on SpotHero.
HOW TO WATCH THE PARADE
If you are looking to beat the crowds and get to the afterparties before the crowds take over, you should aim to be close to the starting point of the respective parades. Not in any hurry? Beat the heat at one of the cooling stations located throughout the parade’s route or find a shaded area.
We also suggest finding a parking garage along the route, such as the one at Milam and Lamar, to avoid having to peek over the crowds and enjoy a bird’s eye view. It’s an excellent hack for finding shade, the perfect view, and avoiding shoulder-to-shoulder parade watching. Always be respectful of all others around you. We’re all just trying to have fun, catch some beads, and celebrate Pride!
Can’t attend in person? No problem! Both parades will be broadcast live on ABC13 Houston!
Remember to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen, and make memories that will last a lifetime. Pride Month comes around just once a year, but we can show our pride all year long, so enjoy the festivities safely and keep the party going in Downtown Houston and beyond!