Pride of Holly Springs

Pride of Holly Springs is a family-friendly LGBTQIA+ festival at the Holly Springs Cultural Center in Wake County. The 2026 festival on September 26 features live music, storytelling and activities for all ages, with a raffle drawing during the event.

Pride of Holly Springs began on January 21, 2024, when a group of residents met to talk about creating space for the town's LGBTQIA+ community. The founding group, which included Jack Turnwald, Donna and Linda Friend, Anne Bono, Kristen Valus, Stacey Burns, Damien and Josie Reed, and Finn and Amanda Clingerman, agreed to form a committee and explore starting a nonprofit. On July 28, 2024, the same members approved the paperwork to launch Pride of Holly Springs as a 501(c)(3), elected officers and named a registered agent.

The organization's vision is a Holly Springs where everyone feels safe and supported regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation or background. A board of local residents sets direction, while a volunteer committee organizes teen events, runs the scholarship program and leads fundraising. Its teen programming creates hangouts and creative events where LGBTQIA+ youth and allies can make friends and build community.

The Pride of Holly Springs Scholarship awards 1,000 dollars to high school juniors and seniors who live in or are active in Holly Springs and are working to make the town more inclusive; past recipients include Luke Goetsch, Olivia Wright and Lynx Boyd. The festival raffle features prizes donated by dozens of local businesses and artisans, with 5 dollar tickets and winners drawn during the festival.

Pride events celebrate LGBTQ+ people and mark the Stonewall uprising of June 1969. Most combine a parade or march with a festival of performers, community groups, vendors and food.

Pride of Holly Springs has included festival, live music, storytelling and family activities.

The next edition is September 26, 2026. It usually falls late September.