Why You Need to Visit the Colorful Streets of St Petersburg This June
There’s a vibrant rainbow of acceptance taking over the Sunshine State throughout June as the Florida LGBTQ+ community celebrates St Pete PrideFest.
June is Pride Month across the US, in honor of the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan, but there’s no better place to wave a rainbow flag than under the warm Florida sun. St Petersburg’s PrideFest (June 1-26, 2021) is a month-long celebration of members, friends and allies of the LGBT+ community, spread across four themed weeks. Make a weekend of it by booking one of Culture Trip’s curated collection of hotels and experiences.
What’s happening?
Outdoor Adventure Week kicks off Pride Month under blue skies along the Tampa Bay waterfront. The Pride OUTside festival will feature live performances, yoga classes and other interactive activities. The 5K race and 100yd Diva Dash will get the morning off to a running start.
Next, Arts + Qulture is the signature event of Arts & Music Week. Located in St Pete’s Warehouse Arts District, the Factory will host an immersive musical experience while honoring Queer and Black Culture on Juneteenth.
The month concludes with the Taste of PrideFest Week; Monday through Friday, participating restaurants and bars will serve up select items for only $5. On Saturday, the Pride Picnic cooks up one final festivity with food trucks, street vendors, live music and fireworks at North Straub Park.
Who’s there?
Since the first event in 2003, St Pete PrideFest has continued to champion the LGBTQ+ community by increasing awareness of the human-rights issues its members face. Both public and private entities join together to create a more inclusive and accepting spirit in every aspect of the greater Tampa Bay area.
Although you’ll be actively supporting the LGBTQ+ community by attending, the St Pete PrideFest is as much about entertainment and amusement as it is about activism. Children and adults of all ages, backgrounds and interests will feel part of the festivities, even if they’ve never engaged in any Pride celebrations before. Honestly, who would say no to finger foods and cocktails during sunset at the Sirata Beach Resort’s PrideFest Kickoff Reception? The PrideFest Stonewall Reception is another must-attend event, not only for the open bar, but for the opportunity to access the James Museum after hours.
Whether you’ve visited Tampa before, or new to the area, St Pete PrideFest is a vibrant opportunity to embrace every color of the bright local community.
Don’t miss
No matter where you fall in the LGBTQ+ spectrum, the St. Pete-Clearwater area offers something for everyone. It goes without saying that the 2.5mi (4km) Clearwater Beach – the pearlescent pride of the west Florida coast – is worth a visit. Venture a little further north and Caladesi Island State Park will treat you to more white-sand beaches, as well as wildlife trails and mangrove kayaking that can easily jam-pack a weekend.
A stop at the Salvador Dalí Museum is another must for your itinerary. Art lovers will be distraught if they miss a glimpse at the Chihuly Collection, 1mi (1.5km) away, where you can marvel at the dazzling installations by Dale Chihuly, one of the pioneering artists of the studio glass movement.
Still lingering after Pride celebrations have ended for the day? Meander down to former Top Chef contestant Jeffrey Jew’s new restaurant, Lingr. An Asian and Nordic-inspired menu is set to debut at this upscale-casual eatery where everyone is welcome. If there’s more celebration left in your soul, boogie two blocks up to Enigma for dancing, drag shows and drinks among LGBT+ locals.
Keen to make a weekend of it? Browse our curated collection of hotels & experiences available over St Pete PrideFest – bookable here on Culture Trip.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
Culture Trip Spring Sale
Save up to $1,100 on our unique small-group trips! Limited spots.
- Post ID: 1001852961
- Sponsored? No
- View Payload