Summer is coming, and that means plans for Pagan Pride 2017 are underway. As you probably know, Pagan Pride Day isn’t just one day—it’s an entire season stretching from August to November. Pagan communities across North and South America host weekend events to gather their members, raise money for charity, and educate the public about Pagans and Paganism. Now is the time to make plans and get involved!
What follows is a roundup of the Pagan Pride Day gatherings expected to happen in the United States this fall. The first events on the list are all larger (~500+) Pagan Pride Days that have updated their websites for 2017. They tend to be the events that have the most activities and draw the most attention from their local media.
Below those, I've compiled a list of all the active Pagan Pride Days I'm aware of, along with their dates and location (if available). This list is an alternative to the official PPD website, which lists way too many events that have been defunct for years.
Of course, we always recommend supporting nearby Pagan events, regardless of the size. But if you're a vendor or an out-of-towner, these "top ten" events are most likely to be worth the road trip.
Please keep in mind that Pagan Pride Day schedules and entertainment are subject to (frequent) change. This info is current as of April 2017. Contact the organizers directly for up-to-date news, or to get involved. You can follow the links to sign up as a vendor, sponsor, or volunteer.
I'm not affiliated with the Pagan Pride Project, Inc. or with any of the official PPD events. The list is just a service to help fellow Pagans find and attend Pagan Pride Day events around the country.
So without further ado, here’s our picks for the best Pagan Pride Day events for the upcoming season—the ones with the biggest turnout, liveliest entertainment, and must-see guests. They're listed in order by date, in case you want to make plans to go to them all!
Top Ten (or Eleven) Pagan Pride Day Events
Philadelphia Pagan Pride Day (September 2, 2017)
Annual Pagan Pride Day in Philadelphia's Clark Park. Past years have featured original workshops and rituals from writers in the Philly and NJ areas, including podcaster Christopher Orapello. There's a drum circle and raffle, too. A well-attended, well-organized event. Check the website for updates on the 2017 schedule.
Greater Chicagoland Pagan Pride Day (September 10, 2017)
Chicago's annual Pagan Pride event will take place at the Historic Pleasant Home on Mills Park. It is one of the largest Pagan Pride events, with vendors, workshops, and public rituals. The 2017 guest list includes Wiccan elder Selena Fox.
Central New York Pagan Pride Day (September 16, 2017)
Scheduled for Long Branch Park in Liverpool, New York. Rituals, shopping, and lectures in a beautiful outdoor setting. Last year's event attracted more than 1,800 visitors.
Sacramento Pagan Pride Day (September 16-17, 2017)
A two-day event held at the Fair Oaks, California VFW Post. This annual harvest festival features local music, dancers, and speakers. The 2017 lineup is still in the works, but previous guest lists have included Phaedra Bonewits, Diana L. Paxson and Oberon Zell.
Pagan Pride Raleigh (September 16-17, 2017)
Drawing over 4000 Pagans and friends, central North Carolina's annual shindig spans an entire weekend. Tons of workshops, kids' activities, big-stage musical acts—and of course, rows of vendors. The event happens annually at the North Carolina State Fairgrounds.
Jacksonville Pagan Pride Day (September 17, 2017)
Panhandle party! Oh, right—Pagan Pride Day is not a party, but a fundraising and awareness-building effort. Bet it will still be fun, though. Jax's event will be at the Garden Club of Jacksonville, Florida, an indoor-outdoor venue. Planning and fundraising is underway for this reliable Pagan Pride Day, now in its 17th year.
Albuquerque Pagan Pride Day (September 24, 2017)
The best of the Southwest. Held at Albuquerque, New Mexico's Bataan Park, this event has been steadily growing since 2012 and now claims an annual attendance of over 1,000 people. Past activities have included workshops, a kid's area, belly dancing, and a stone labyrinth.
New York City Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017)
People watching at Pagan Pride + people watching in NYC = one of the craziest, most colorful Pagan events on Earth. A hotspot for photographers and journalists, naturally. This year, NYC Pagan Pride returns to Battery Park, and is expected to draw a crowd.
Puget Sound Pagan Pride (October 7-8, 2017)
This year's event will be at Freight House Square in Tacoma, Washington. A former railroad building turned shopping mall, this indoor venue has ample space for vendors and presenters. This year, Puget Sound Pagan Pride will be a two-day event with a party on Saturday night. It's expected to draw 2,000 visitors over the weekend.
Greater New Orleans Pagan Pride Day (October 29, 2017)
A leader in the South, Greater New Orleans Pagan Pride draws amazing local musicians, tasty street food, unique magickal goods, and more. Just over a week before Halloween, it's a great time to pay a visit to this historic, haunted city. Held annually at Washington Square Park.
Austin Pagan Pride Day (November 12, 2017)
The 2017 Austin Pagan Pride Day event has been moved to The Vortex in Austin.
More Pagan Pride Days
These organizations are expected to host a 2017 Pagan Pride Day. Either they've made an announcement online, or I have it from a good source that the event is on for 2017. (For my purposes, "We will be having a Pagan Pride Day in 2017," counts as an announcement. "We had a great time in 2016 and hope to do it next year," does not.)
Dallas isn't on the list because we apparently seceded from the Pagan Pride Project in 2015. (Texans!) We don't have an official Pagan Pride Day. But I would be neglecting my civic duty if I failed to mention that DFW Pagan Unity Fest is on May 20 this year.
Some organizers are waiting to finalize venues and dates. Others are in the process of seeking out participants. (Check the website or Facebook page for the most up-to-date information.) Events are listed by date.
Comments, additions, or corrections? Send me an email and I'll fix it ASAP!
- Pennsylvania - Lehigh Valley Pagan Pride Day (June 24, 2017)
- Salt Lake City Pagan Pride Day (August 12, 2017) - Liberty Park
- Houston Pagan Pride Day (August 26, 2017) - Unitarian Fellowship of Houston
- Colorado - Fort Collins Pagan Pride Day (August 26, 2017) - Library Park
- Ohio - Cleveland Pagan Pride (August 26-27, 2017)
- Michigan - Twin Cities Pagan Pride Day (September 9, 2017) - Minnehaha Falls Park
- Kentucky - Louisville Pagan Pride Day (September 9, 2017)
- Southeastern Massachusetts Pagan Pride Day (September 10, 2017) - Ted Williams Camp
- Ohio - Dayton Pagan Pride Day (September 16, 2017) - Eastwood Metropark
- Texas - San Antonio Pagan Pride Day (September 16, 2017) - Wonderland of the Americas Mall
- Wisconsin - Madison Pagan Pride Day (September 16, 2017) - Winnequah Park
- Maryland - Frederick Pagan Pride Day (September 16, 2017) - The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick
- Michigan - Grand Rapids Pagan Pride Day (September 16, 2017) - Richmond Hills Park
- Washington DC Pagan Pride Day (September 17, 2017) - New venue (TBA)
- Pagan Pride of East Tennessee (September 17, 2017) - Sevierville Civic Center
- North Carolina - Piedmont Pagan Pride Day (September 23, 2017) - Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park
- Michigan - Ann Arbor Pagan Pride Day (September 23, 2017) - Community Park, Washtenaw Community College
- Pennsylvania - York Pagan Pride Day (September 23, 2017) - Samuel S. Lewis State Park
- Connecticut Pagan Pride Day (September 23, 2017)
- Oklahoma City Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017) - Wiley Post Park
- Nashville Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017) -Two Rivers Park
- Northern Virginia Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017) - George Mason University (Fairfax campus)
- Missouri - Springfield Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017) - Silver Springs Park Pavillion
- Georgia - Augusta Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017) - New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam
- Atlanta Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017) - 701 West Howard Avenue, Decatur, GA
- Orlando Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017) - Westmonte Civic Center
- Las Vegas Pagan Pride Day (September 30, 2017) - Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Las Vegas
- Central Illinois Pagan Pride Day (October 7, 2017) - Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington
- Georgia - Athens Pagan Pride Day (October 7, 2017) - College Square
- Florida - Treasure Coast Pagan Pride Day (October 14, 2017) - Savannas Recreation Area
- Los Angeles / Orange County Pagan Pride Day (October 15, 2017)
- South Carolina Upstate Pagan Pride Day (October 21, 2017)
- Phoenix Pagan Pride Day (November 4, 2017) - Steele Indian School Park
- Houston Pagan Pride Day (November 4, 2017) - Pixie's Intent
- Nebraska - Omaha Pagan Pride Day (TBA)
- Wisconsin - Fox Valley/Green Bay Pagan Pride Day (TBA)
- Vermont - Green Mountain Pagan Pride Day (TBA)
- Pennsylvania - Greater Pittsburgh Pagan Pride Day (TBA)