Savannah Pride Festival 2026: Date, Hours, After-Party & Planning Tips
By Best of Savannah
Savannah Pride Festival 2026 takes over Forsyth Park on Saturday, October 24. The short answer: the festival runs from noon to 11 p.m., admission is free, and organizers expect thousands of people and more than 100 vendors. This is the festival's 27th year, the theme is "Chosen Family," and proceeds support the Savannah Pride Center, a local nonprofit.
Below is what we could confirm about this year's festival, what past years have looked like, and how to plan the day around parking, food, and a busy late-October weekend.
TL;DR: Savannah Pride 2026 at a Glance
- Date: Saturday, October 24, 2026.
- Hours: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., per Visit Savannah's event listing.
- Where: Forsyth Park, at the south end of the Historic District.
- Cost: free admission. Bring money for food, drinks, and vendors.
- Theme: "Chosen Family," the festival's 27th year.
- Night plans: a glow and foam party closes the park, and Club One is listed as the official after-party. Confirm the after-party location before you go.
- Getting there: walk, ride the free DOT shuttle, or use a rideshare. Downtown parking will be tight.
When and Where Is Savannah Pride 2026?
The festival is Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Forsyth Park. Visit Savannah lists the hours as noon to 11 p.m. and admission as free. WTOC reported the date and the 27th-year milestone on October 8, 2026.
Forsyth Park is the large park at the southern end of Bull Street, the edge of the Historic District. It is a flat, easy walk from most downtown hotels. If you are staying near River Street, budget 25 to 30 minutes on foot, or ride the shuttle.
What Happens at the Festival?
According to WTOC, the day opens with a sensory-conscious market. It is designed for people with sensory needs who want a quieter start before the bigger crowds arrive. The full festival follows, with more than 100 vendors.
WTOC says this year's hosts are Blair Williams and Chi Chi Bonet Sherrington, two longtime performers at Club One. Visit Savannah describes concerts, local vendor booths, food trucks, and activities for kids.
Past festivals have followed a familiar rhythm: an opening ceremony on the main stage in the early afternoon, drag performances through the day, and a DJ-led party after dark. Treat that as a guide to the format, not the 2026 schedule. Check the Savannah Pride Center's site and social channels for stage times closer to the date.
Is Savannah Pride Family-Friendly?
Yes, during the day. Visit Savannah lists activities for children, and past festivals have included kids' programming such as story time and play areas. The sensory-conscious market at the start of the day is also the calmest window for families with young kids.
The atmosphere shifts after sunset, when the glow and foam party takes over. If you are bringing children, plan to come early and leave by late afternoon. Our guide to family-friendly Savannah activities under $50 has ideas for the rest of the weekend.
Is There a Pride Parade in Savannah?
Savannah Pride centers on the festival in Forsyth Park rather than a large street parade. If you are looking for a march, check the Savannah Pride Center's announcements for any smaller events during the week. Otherwise, plan around the park.
Where Is the Savannah Pride After-Party?
When the park closes, the night moves indoors. Event listings name Club One as the official after-party venue, from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.
One caution: Club One left its longtime Jefferson Street home in 2026, and local reports in August said the club was working on plans to reopen this fall. Confirm the after-party address and whether it is on before you head out. If you plan a bigger night, our rooftop bars guide covers earlier drinks with a view.
How Do You Get to Forsyth Park During Pride?
Leave the car behind if you can. Late October is one of the busiest stretches of the year downtown, and street spaces near the park fill early.
- Walk: the Historic District is compact and flat. See our guide to how walkable Savannah is.
- Shuttle: the free DOT Express Shuttle loops through the Historic District. Check current routes and hours before you rely on it late at night.
- Rideshare: set your pickup a block or two off the park to avoid the crush when the festival ends.
- Driving: use a garage and walk the last stretch. Our Historic District parking guide lists the main options and rates.
Heading home late? Our guide to walking in Savannah at night covers well-lit routes and common-sense precautions.
Local tip: Bring cash and a refillable water bottle. Not every festival vendor or food truck may take cards. Late-October afternoons can still reach the mid-70s in Savannah, and shade gets scarce once the crowds fill the open lawns.
Where Should You Eat Near Forsyth Park?
Food trucks will cover lunch inside the park. For a sit-down meal before or after, a few nearby picks from our directory:
- Foxy Loxy Cafe, on Bull Street just south of the park, for coffee, breakfast tacos, and a courtyard to regroup in.
- The Collins Quarter, farther north on Bull Street, for brunch before the gates open. Expect a wait on a festival Saturday.
- Elizabeth on 37th in the Victorian District for a quieter, special-occasion dinner a few blocks south. Reserve ahead.
Browse the full Savannah restaurants directory for more options, and confirm current hours before you go.
Where Should You Stay for Savannah Pride?
The closest hotel is the Mansion on Forsyth Park, which sits right on the park. It is the easiest way to drop off bags or take a break mid-festival. Expect it to book up early for this weekend.
Otherwise, anywhere in the Historic District puts you within walking distance. Our guide to the best hotels in the Historic District breaks them down by area.
What Else Is Happening That Weekend?
Pride shares October 24 with the opening day of the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, which runs through October 31. Halloween falls the following Saturday. That makes this one of the busiest weeks of the fall, so book rooms and dinner reservations now.
For the full calendar, see our Savannah in October guide. If you are staying through the next weekend, our Savannah Halloween guide covers ghost tours and costume crowds.
Bottom Line: Savannah Pride Festival 2026
Savannah Pride 2026 is a free, all-day festival in Forsyth Park on Saturday, October 24, from noon to 11 p.m. Come early for the sensory-conscious market and family activities, stay for the performances, and confirm the after-party plans before the park closes.
Walk or take the shuttle instead of driving, bring cash, and book your hotel and dinner early, since the Film Festival opens the same day. Schedules can change, so check the Savannah Pride Center's official channels for stage times and updates.