Howard County Pride Festival

Join us for the Howard County Pride Festival, a free, inclusive, and welcoming celebration of the LGBTQ+ community! HoCo Pride is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration that brings together thousands of community members, allies, families, and friends. This year, we’re celebrating with the theme “Exist, Persist, Love!” It’s a reminder of the strength, resilience, and joy of the LGBTQ+ community, as well as the importance of creating spaces where everyone can show up, be seen, and celebrate who they are. Howard County Pride 2026 features: • Phenomenal performers on the Chrysalis stage • Over 150 vendors and exhibitors lining the pathways • A dozen food trucks and stalls • Games, crafts, and activities throughout the park • So much more! Festival Rules: The following items are prohibited at the Festival: • Large coolers / any hard-sided coolers (small soft-sided lunch bags and similar are acceptable); • Wagons / dollies / carts (all strollers and mobility devices are welcomed); • Lawn chairs; • Balloons; • Inflatable balls; • Confetti; • Glitter; • Uncooked Rice; • Sparklers; • Open flames; • Lit Candles; • Fake flowers / flower petals; • Nails / screws / tacks / staples / tape; • Feathers / feather boas with feathers that fall off the boa; • Loose beads; • Outside alcohol; • Lawn chairs; • Weapons of any kind; • Toy weapons; • Frisbees or other throwing items; • Laser pointers; • Pets (service animals always welcome); and • And any other item deemed unsuitable for an outdoor venue. About the Inner Arbor Trust The Trust is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization incorporated in Maryland. The mission of the Inner Arbor Trust is to promote and nurture a park in a unique natural setting for a variety of arts and culture experiences that enrich the entire community. The Trust works to develop Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods into a destination arts and culture park. In addition to operating the Chrysalis amphitheater, the Trust manages a substantial portion of the Park for recreational use. About Howard County Pride Inc. Our Purpose: • Build a sense of community within Howard County's LGBTQIA2S+ population. • Encourage the public to embrace and understand the importance of tolerance and acceptance in our increasingly diverse community. • Educate all citizens about the issues and concerns of sexual and gender minorities in the community. • Advocate for policy and guidelines that benefit and support the LGBTQIA2S+ community. • Support the LGBTQIA2S+ community in their efforts to cope with an adverse society. • Promote and provide cultural activities within the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community. • Increase the visibility of the sexual and gender minority communities of Howard County. • Enhance the quality of life for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender, and queer people in Howard County. What to Expect Onsite Seating All seating will be on the lawn. Lawn chairs are available for rent ($5 each) and picnic tables are scattered throughout the park. Concessions Concessions including alcoholic beverages available onsite. You may bring food and non-alcoholic beverages (no glass). Food Trucks We will have several food truck on site and will post here and notify guests when we have finalized that information. ASL Interpretation American Sign Language interpreters are present at all community concerts and events. Accessibility Accommodations Please email [email protected] with any accessibility needs. Restrooms Restrooms are available at the top of Chrysalis hill. This celebration is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council. To discover more about the Maryland State Arts Council and how they impact Maryland, visit msac.org. Parking Parking for Howard County Pride will be in Lot 2 (Garage) and Lot 2 (Flat). You can find a link to the map here Lot 2 (Garage) PARKING GARAGE, 6’ 8” max. clearance WALKING TIME: 5 minutes ADDRESS: 11000 Broken Land Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044 GPS: 39.210653, -76.866819 DIRECTIONS: From points North (Baltimore): Take I-95 South to Route 100 West towards Columbia. Continue on Route 100 West to Route 29 South towards Columbia. Continue on 29 South to Exit 18 towards Columbia Town Center, turn Left at the traffic light onto Broken Land Parkway. Turn right at next light onto Hickory Ridge Road. Follow signage, you will be directed to parking location upon arrival. From points South (DC/VA): Take I-95 North to Route 32 West towards Columbia. Take Route 32 West to Route 29 North. Follow Route 29 North to Broken Land Parkway, Exit 18 towards Columbia Town Center, stay in the right lane. At the light, turn right onto Hickory Ridge Road. Follow signage, you will be directed to parking location upon arrival. Lot 2 (Flat) SURFACE LOT WALKING TIME: 5 minutes ADDRESS: 11000 Broken Land Pkwy, Columbia, MD 21044 GPS: 39.20969, -76.86635 From points North (Baltimore): Take I-95 South to Route 100 West towards Columbia. Continue on Route 100 West to Route 29 South towards Columbia. Continue on 29 South to Exit 18 towards Columbia Town Center, turn Left at the traffic light onto Broken Land Parkway. Turn right at next light onto Hickory Ridge Road. Follow signage, you will be directed to parking location upon arrival. From points South (DC/VA): Take I-95 North to Route 32 West towards Columbia. Take Route 32 West to Route 29 North. Follow Route 29 North to Broken Land Parkway, Exit 18 towards Columbia Town Center, stay in the right lane. At the light, turn right onto Hickory Ridge Road. Follow signage, you will be directed to parking location upon arrival.