Middletown PrideFEST
June 6, 2026
Middletown PrideFEST is the State of Connecticut’s largest pride event held in downtown Middletown, Connecticut, on the first Saturday of June. PrideFEST starts at 12 pm and ends at 10 pm.
PrideFEST is an all afternoon street festival that includes family friendly fun and activities for all ages. PrideFEST consists of the Middletown Pride March, Pride Rally, Pride Showcase Concert, and a Tea Dance. Vendors and food trucks will be located on Main Street, and our 21+ area will offer cocktails and adult beverages with a perfect view of the South Green Stage. Don’t forget to stop by the Middletown Pride Merchandise Tent to purchase your exclusive Middletown Pride swag, sign up for our newsletter, and learn about what we do all year.
PrideFEST draws over 35,000 individuals, 130 vendors, and 80 marching groups from all over New England to downtown Middletown.
Parking for PrideFEST
Parking is available free of charge in all city lots and side streets (where available).
Parking lots include:
Kid City Lot (off of Broad/ Washington St)
Russell Library Lot (off of Broad St)
Melilli Plaza Lot (near city hall- off of Washington St)
Dingwall Drive Lot (Dingwall & DeKoven)
PLEASE DO NOT PARK IN METRO SQUARE PARKING LOT. Vehicles WILL be towed at owners expense.
Road Closures for PrideFEST
8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Main Street from Union Street to Court Street will be closed for PRIDE vendors and activities
CLOSED AT 12:00 p.m.
Pleasant Street
Union Street
Main Street Extension at the RT 17 connector will be closed to thru traffic
Starting at 12:30 p.m. road closure will include:
Main Street from Hartford Ave to South Green
At APPROXIMATELY 2:30 p.m.:
Main Street Re-Opens from Hartford Avenue to Court Street (following the conclusion of the Pride March
Motorists traveling over the Arrigoni Bridge from Portland will be directed down Hartford Avenue to Route 9 from approximately 12 NOON to 2:30 PM, during parade operations. When Main Street opens from Hartford Avenue to Court Street, Bridge Traffic will no longer be diverted.
Road Closures will be on the WAZE APP. WAZE reportedly pushes this info to other mapping apps, however the information share can be delayed.
At APPROXIMATELY 7:30/8:00 p.m.:
Main Street and surrounding streets will re-open as they become clear of vendors and pedestrians. All vendors MUST be off of Main Street no later than 8:30 p.m.
Accessibility, Safety, & Wellness at PrideFEST
The safety and wellbeing of our attendees, volunteers, hosts, performers, and vendors are paramount. Please visit our Accessibility, Safety, and Wellness site for information regarding protocols and policies to protect our health and wellness.
Middletown PrideFEST is the State of Connecticut’s largest pride event held in downtown Middletown, Connecticut, on the first Saturday of June. PrideFEST starts at 12 pm and ends at 10 pm.
PrideFEST is an all afternoon street festival that includes family friendly fun and activities for all ages. PrideFEST consists of the Middletown Pride March, Pride Rally, Pride Showcase Concert, and a Tea Dance. Vendors and food trucks will be located on Main Street, and our 21+ area will offer cocktails and adult beverages with a perfect view of the South Green Stage. Don’t forget to stop by the Middletown Pride Merchandise Tent to purchase your exclusive Middletown Pride swag, sign up for our newsletter, and learn about what we do all year.
PrideFEST draws over 35,000 individuals, 130 vendors, and 80 marching groups from all over New England to downtown Middletown.
Partners of Middletown PrideFEST
Sponsors of Middletown PrideFEST 2026
Yellow Sponsors
Green Sponsors
Blue Sponsors
Purple Sponsors
Charles IT
Community Foundation of Middlesex County
deMelis Atelier
Kensington Bird & Animal Hospital
Middlesex Habitat for Humanity
Middletown Young Democrats
Planned Parenthood Southern New England
Shapiro Law Offices, LLC
Taysway Fitness LLC
Tighe & Bond
Orange Sponsor
Tea Dance at PrideFEST
PrideFEST will conclude with our 2nd Annual Tea Dance! At 7 pm our 21+ area keeps the fun going with drinks, food, and dancing! Tea Dance is provided by Jerry’s Pizza.
Yoga at Spear Park
Join Dana LaBranche of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Elm City Board of Directors for yoga before PrideFEST officially begins.
Pride Showcase Concert
PrideFest will feature a Showcase Concert on the South Green, where local performers, dancers, some of the state’s best drag artists, and more, will wow you with their performances. You won’t want to miss it!
This event will be ASL Interpreted
Pride Rally
The Pride Rally is where we all rally together on the South Green, with local activists and performers, to take a stand against the systemic oppression and violence towards our LGBTQIA2S+ communities, to honor our history, and to show up in force as a community to advocate for change.
Speakers will include the City’s LGBTQIA+ Commission, a presentation of the Middletown Pride Scholarship Recipients, words from Middletown Pride Partner Middlesex Health, local LGBTQIA2S+ advocates, words from our two Grand Marshals, Christopher Forte and Ace Ricker, and more.
This event will be ASL Interpreted
Pride March
The Middletown Pride March takes place along all of Main Street in downtown Middletown. We believe that Pride is a demonstration and a celebration of our history, experiences, and progress towards equality. In order to be mindful of the fact that Pride is first and foremost a demonstration, the first half of the Pride March features the individuals and organizations who work every day to advance the rights and equality for the LGBTQIA2S+ community, including pride organizations, non-profits, etc. The second half of the Pride March will be focused on celebrating our history and our community with music, floats, and lots of fun!
The Pride March will commence in the North End at the intersection of Spring Street and Main Street, and will proceed south down all of Main Street until the intersection of Main Street and Union Street.
Triangle Community Center Gender-Affirming Block Party
The Triangle Community Center, one of the state’s pride centers, will once again provide a Gender-Affirming Block Party. Resources and activities include gender affirming clothing and alteration station, grooming and beauty consultations, consultations from trans tape, and all gender beauty supplies.
Trans Haven/Peer Pride Block Party
Peer Pride, a 100% transgender and non-binary run organization will once again host a Trans Haven Block Party. Resources, activities, hangout info, vendors, and more will be on hand!
Middletown Recreation Kid Zone
Come for some family friendly fun with Middletown Recreation including Bounce Houses, Crafts, Activities, and more!
The zone is accessible through Spear Park at the corner of Williams and Main.
Middletown PrideFEST 2025 Officially Starts!
Vendors and food trucks will be located on Main Street, and our 21+ area will offer cocktails and adult beverages with a perfect view of the South Green Stage. Don’t forget to stop by the Middletown Pride Merchandise Tent to purchase your exclusive Middletown Pride swag, sign up for our newsletter, and learn about what we do all year.
Yoga at Spear Park
Join Dana LaBranche of the National Alliance on Mental Illness’s Elm City Board of Directors for yoga before PrideFEST officially begins.
Drag Artist Story Hour
Ivanna and Frizzie Borden will bring a delicious combination of sweetness and sassiness as they spread the joy of reading. This event will be ASL interpreted.
Taking Pride in Main Street
Beyond PrideFEST’s vendors, Middletown’s Main Street features a number of businesses who proudly support the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Click here to learn about businesses that will be open during PrideFEST!