The 46th Annual Houston Pride Celebration Festival and Parade kicks off at Houston City Hall on Saturday, June 29th at 11 am!
As Friendly Like Me's CEO and a Houstonian myself, I was especially proud to work with Houston Pride President & Director of Philanthropy, Kendra Walker to help make 2024 the most Accessible Pride yet! Below you'll find information and details about essential accessibility amenities to help make your Pride experience more accessible and comfortable. Happy Pride everyone!
This guide is proudly sponsored by Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Click any link below to jump to its corresponding section in the guide, or scroll straight down to read all the way through!
MAINSTAGE
To gain access to the ADA viewing area, please proceed to the Information and Command tent for access to the VIP viewing area in front of the stage. After registering, we will provide you with a mainstage experience band for free. In this space, you will find chairs with no arms, wheelchair recharging areas, and an accessible viewing area that works for you. If you are between the ages of 21-54 it is possible to buy a VIP pass to Pride which will position you in front of the stage for priority viewing and secure access to other VIP areas as well.
PARADE STAGE
After checking in with the Information and Command tent, you can also find a spot right in front of the grandstand for Parade Viewing. This is at McKinney between Smith and Louisiana.
Wheelchair and Scooter users can go in front of the Grandstand. First come first served for the best seating options.
There are ASL interpreters for both the Mainstage and the Parade Grandstand.
For every bank of porta-potties, one of these is an ADA stall with improved access for people with disabilities.
Should you decide to buy a VIP Pass for Pride, you will have access to an open bar with an air-conditioned and a larger bathroom.
If you need help during the parade or festival you can look for a Volunteer wearing a yellow t-shirt with "Volunteer" on the back
There are earplugs available at the Volunteer and Accessibility Desk for those with noise sensitivity.
There is a full-service EMS Tent on Brazos Street near the corner of Lamar.
It is important to stay hydrated and cool off when needed. There are multiple hydration stations where you can get free water, as well as Cooling Stations / Shade Tunnels, and the Medical Tent has AC in case of emergency. The additional Medical tents are located on McKinney between the Library and Herman Square, on Walker between Herman Square and Tranquility Park, and on either side of Tranquility Park.
The Family Fun Zone is in Tranquility Park, toward the Bagby side of the square. The area includes games, bounce houses, face painting, popsicle and snow cone vendors and more. Of course you need to be accompanied by a child to enter the area.
Houston’s METRORail is an inexpensive option to get towards City Hall, though it may require some further commuting once close. There is an App called METRO TRIP to confirm the best route for you, but aiming for the Main Street Square and then walking or wheeling to City Hall. More HERE.
As many as sixteen different bus lines go towards or near City Hall. One way to see and compare what options are best for you is to review the Moovit App.
Uber and Lyft are both options. With high demand there is a risk of surge pricing. As you leave Pride, getting a car a few blocks away from the Parade may make getting a car easier.
If you need to drive to get to Pride comfortably, downtown parking garages will be open. Arriving early to get a good spot will help. If you need to park as close as possible you can check out availability and reserve your parking on SpotHero.
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Below, find our list of hand-picked venues near and around Houston Pride with detailed information about accessible places to go in Houston!
Now get out there, go with confidence- and PRIDE!