Tucson Pride Festival 2025: A new November date at Reid Park

Tucson Pride is moving the date of its annual celebration event, the Tucson Pride Festival, to Saturday, Nov. 22. 

Organizers stated that the date shift was done to prioritize safety and comfort due to extreme heat and to better align with other local events. The festival will run from noon to 9 p.m. at Reid Park. A full updated schedule of the many festival activities will be posted on Tucson Pride’s website and social media.

Tucson Pride was founded in 1977 and is Arizona’s first and longest-running LGBTQ+ Pride organization. The first Pride gathering was organized in response to the death of Richard Heakin, a young gay man who was brutally attacked outside a local nightclub. That tragic event catalyzed a movement for visibility, justice, and community solidarity in Tucson, and has grown into a large-scale celebration of LGBTQ+ identity, resilience, and diversity. Over the decades, the event has expanded to include parades, live performances, family-friendly activities, wellness resources, and partnerships with local organizations and allies.

Tucson Pride, while being a celebration, also remains grounded in a greater purpose. The annual gathering expresses an ongoing pursuit of equality for the LGBTQ+ community. Indeed, Pride is both a commemoration and a call to action. It is a reminder of the long struggle for recognition and rights, as well as an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of gender and sexual fluidity. Organizers strongly believe that these differences are integral to the robust fabric of individual and community identity. 

This year’s festival will take place at Reid Park, 900 S. Randolph Way, with the main grounds located near the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center. Attendees are encouraged to travel by car, bike, or public transit. Sun Tran buses stop nearby, and organizers will designate rideshare drop-off points and ADA-accessible parking. On the day itself, festival-goers can expect an engaging program of live music, LGBT+ performances, and local entertainment, alongside food trucks, community resource booths, and vendors representing LGBTQ+-owned businesses and allies. 

Turnout is typically large, with recent festivals drawing between 2,500 and 7,500 people from across Southern Arizona and beyond. The crowd is characteristically diverse, and includes individuals and families, allies, local LGBTQ+ organizations, performers, artists, and small businesses. Sponsor support ranges from local enterprises to national organizations, including the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF), LGBTQ+-owned businesses, and community partners. 

The leadership driving the event combines experience with a clear mission. Board President Jeff Myers-Fulgham said that he became involved due to a lifelong commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy, as well as a desire to create spaces where community members feel seen, safe, and celebrated. Myers-Fulgham stated, “This event is more than just a festival; it’s a movement rooted in history and hope, reminding us all why visibility, equality, and acceptance matter.” Tucson Pride, he noted, played a crucial role in his own personal life journey, and is a way for him to help others to find that same sense of belonging. He continued, “Tucson Pride is a powerful celebration of love, identity and community — a space where everyone is seen, heard, and valued for who they are.” Vice President Sam Cloud, who joined in 2018, also brings Her vast experience and enthusiasm to Tucson Pride, including years of on-the-ground community outreach efforts in Tucson. 

Looking ahead, the organizers envision a joyous, celebratory event that will continue to grow in size and impact, while simultaneously remaining inclusive and accessible to the full breadth of the Tucson community. They also plan to expand the festival’s role as a platform for education and advocacy on important issues, such as mental health, equity and social justice.  

Tucson Pride Festival

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025, 

from noon to 9 p.m.

WHERE: Reid Park (near the DeMeester Outdoor Performance Center), 900 S. Randolph Way, Tucson, AZ 85716

INFO: Email info@tucsonpride.org, or visit tucsonpride.org and facebook.com/tucson.pride