Southern Maryland Pride Festival

Pride SoMD is the nonprofit host of an annual LGBTQIA+ Pride festival in Southern Maryland. The ninth annual festival is on Sunday, October 11, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lexington Manor Passive Park in St. Mary's County, with drag, music, vendors, LGBTQIA+ small businesses, community resources and a kids zone. The severe weather date is November 8.

Pride SoMD was started by LGBTQIA+ young people involved with Our Common Calvert in Calvert County. The first event, at the Solomons boardwalk pavilion, drew about 50 people for a rally, a march up the street and a potluck picnic. The next year it moved to the Corbin Nature Pavilion and drew about 150, and by 2019 attendance had reached an estimated 600. In 2022 the festival moved to Lexington Manor Passive Park for more space and more vendors, and in 2024 the group became a 501(c)(3), formed a board and incorporated as Pride SOMD Inc. It is entirely volunteer run and free to attend.

The festival is held in October to coincide with National Coming Out Day and LGBT History Month, when the weather is also cooler. Parking is available at Lancaster Park off Willows Road, the Tulagi Place commuter lot, and the post office and grass lot on South Coral Drive, all within walking distance; organizers ask visitors not to use the Newtowne Players lot.

Restrooms are at the Lei Drive and Coral Drive entrance and at the Interpretive Center on Rennell Avenue, with gender-neutral options at both. Food is sold on site, but picnics are welcome, as are leashed dogs. Picnic tables and benches are scattered around the park, and guests can bring lawn chairs and blankets.

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.

Southern Maryland Pride Festival has included festival, drag, vendors, music, kids zone and community resources.

The next edition is October 11, 2026. It usually falls october.