Miami Beach Pride will return for its 19th annual festival and parade, unveiling “Make Waves” as its new theme and welcoming Akeso Community Health as its presenting sponsor. The free, two-day celebration (April 10/11, 2027) will once again bring thousands of residents and visitors to Miami Beach for a weekend celebrating LGBTQ+ culture, visibility and community. Miami Pride Week officially begins on Apr 2 with a full week of events and activities, including Drag Me to Pride 2.0, April 9, and culminating with the Pride Parade along Ocean Drive beginning at noon on Sunday April 11.

Inspired by the power of a single ripple to create a much larger wave, “Make Waves” brings the fun and colour of a beachside Pride together with a deeper message: progress starts when people show up, speak out and make their voices heard. The theme arrives at a critical time for LGBTQ+ organizations, as the loss of state funding and declining corporate sponsorship threaten the resources available to sustain community programming. Despite these financial challenges, Miami Beach Pride remains committed to keeping its annual festival free and accessible while pursuing new partnerships and funding opportunities to protect its work in South Florida.

“Make Waves is about recognizing that every action matters, especially when we take it together,” said Bruce Horwich, Chairman of Miami Beach Pride. “We are navigating a challenging financial climate, but our commitment to this community has not changed. Pride must remain a place where people can come together, celebrate who they are and know they belong. We are determined to keep that space open and accessible to everyone.”

AKESO COMMUNITY HEALTH JOINS AS PRESENTING SPONSOR

Akeso Community Health is the presenting sponsor for 2027, bringing a shared commitment to inclusion, empowerment, and community well-being to this year’s celebration. As part of the partnership, Akeso will bring its new mobile health unit, Akeso on the Go, directly to the festival grounds to connect attendees with healthcare resources, education, and prevention services such as testing and PrEP.

Guided by its mission to provide compassionate, accessible healthcare, welcome diverse communities, and empower individuals to take charge of their health, Akeso believes that quality healthcare should be available to everyone, regardless of their background or ability to pay. Through this partnership, Akeso and Miami Beach Pride aim to make waves beyond the celebration, breaking down barriers, fostering healthier communities, and ensuring everyone feels seen, welcomed, and supported.

DRAG ME TO PRIDE RETURNS 

Kicking off festival weekend, Drag Me to Pride 2.0 returns Friday, April 9, bringing a night of drag performances to the sand at Lummus Park on the south end of the festival grounds. Following its popular debut, the event returns for its second year featuring some of the biggest names in drag, including alumni from RuPaul’s Drag Race. The 2027 lineup announcement and ticket information will be coming soon.

A FREE FESTIVAL WITH A LASTING IMPACT

For nearly two decades, Miami Beach Pride has brought the LGBTQ+ community and its allies together through free public programming celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and promoting visibility. The annual festival and parade also contribute to South Florida’s economy by drawing visitors from around the world who support local hotels, restaurants and businesses.

As the organization navigates an increasingly difficult funding environment, community participation and new partnerships will be critical to keeping Pride accessible. With “Make Waves,” Miami Beach Pride invites residents, visitors and businesses to be part of a movement that celebrates the community while standing up for its future.

  • Pride Week: Begins April 2, 2027

  • Drag Me to Pride 2.0: April 9, 2027

  • Festival: April 10–11, 2027 (12pm – 11pm)

  • Parade: April 11, 2027 (12pm)

  • Location: Lummus Park and Ocean Drive, Miami Beach

  • Admission: Free for the two-day festival and parade

For updates, visit Miami Beach Pride

About the Author

Bryen Dunn is a freelance journalist based in Toronto with a focus on tourism, lifestyle, entertainment and community issues. He has written several travel articles and has an extensive portfolio of celebrity interviews with musicians, actors and other public personalities. He’s willing to take on any assignments of interest, attend parties with free booze, listen to rants, and travel the world in search of the great unknown. He’s eager to discover the new, remember the past, and look into the future.