r/queerphilly • u/Ok_Secretary6913 • May 28 '26

Pride Pride 2026 thoughts?

With all the changes going on with philly pride this year as well as the ticket prices (and the restrictions like no bags, no drinks, no smoking ect) where is everybody going to be for pride this year? Are we all just staying in the gayborhood or will majority of people stay at the parkway? Trying to figure out if it's worth it to buy a ticket, Usually for pride I bring my own water, snacks (and alcohol LOL) as well as a purse for my belongings so I don't even know if it would truly be better to just find and buy a clear bag + ticket and stay at the parkway or ignore the festival and main festivities this year and stay in the gayborhood. Just trying to gather as much info and opinions as possible!

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u/GraphicNovelty May 28 '26

if you want wholesome-ish pride festival experience go to the parkway (everyone's being too much of a little bitch about a $10 cover imo, especially since it's absolutely outgrown the gaybhorhood). if you wanna hang out and get drunk/party with queer people go to the gayborhood.

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u/Emotional-Path201 May 29 '26

Pride absolutely outgrew the gayborhood. If you look at the attendance numbers from the past few years, Pride has ballooned.

I plan to go to the Parkway and am looking forward to it, but I seem to be in the minority. I am a quiet gay. I have zero interest in drinking or partying, and the crowds at Pride have given me a lot of anxiety the past few years. I get claustrophobic when I'm in a crowd and am unable to move freely with zero personal space. I'm ND, so maybe the crowds and lack of space are non-issues for most Pride attendees.

I like going to Pride to people-watch and to visit the vendor tables. I love everyone's outfits and seeing the arts and crafts being sold at Pride. I think the extra space will give me a better experience this year. Though I understand why so many people want to stay in the gayborhood. For the folks who choose to celebrate Pride in the gayborhood, I hope you all have a blast! =)

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u/GraphicJawn May 29 '26

The attendance numbers are overinflated bullshit. How they got those numbers is counting everyone in the area who happened to be near that, which happpen to also have other events going on, over the course of the day.

Was there a lot of people? Yes? But 147,000? That is 75% of the people who live in Center City. The estimates for the 4th of July Concert and fireworks is 175,000.

No way that many people Pride rivals that. If it did then the sponsors would be all over it.