Pride Fest 2026

The Champaign-Urbana Pride Fest is a program created and produced by Uniting Pride of Champaign County to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride in our local community. We held our first Pride Fest in 2010, and we’re now 16 years strong!

June is the internationally recognized month of Pride, in honor of the Stonewall Uprising that took place the last weekend of June 1969, and the subsequent LGBTQ+ civil rights movement sparked by that turn of events. Uniting Pride loves to produce programming in June in celebration of the official Pride month.

But we also know we’re here and queer all year, not just during one month of it. And we believe this community deserves robust programming beyond just once a year, including at a time when most of our community members are here in town — the Fall.

LGBTQ+ Pride programs should always be two things: a celebration of the progress we’ve made, and a call to continued action for the work still to come. Parties? Drag shows? A parade? Yes, absolutely! But also: education, a chance to gather in community and discuss important topics, and creating safe spaces where we know we won’t be harassed or subjected to hate and discrimination.

To our Allies: We’re so glad you’re here — truly. Consider volunteering, raising your voice, donating to the cause, or bringing your business to the fun. Pride takes a village.

To our LGBTQ+ Community: This week is yours. Whether you’re ready to march, dance, celebrate, cry, scream, or simply be, this space was created with you in mind. We deserve to be out and proud in the communities we call home. So take this moment and soak it in. The fight feels especially hard right now, but you are not alone. Your identity is valid, your voice is powerful, and your presence matters. At Uniting Pride, we are here for you. You are loved, supported, and perfect exactly as you are.