Phuket City Pride 2026 to bring parade and concerts to Old Town

Phuket City Pride 2026 will take over Phuket Old Town on Saturday with a parade of more than 20 floats, live concerts, a beauty pageant, art exhibitions and community activities under the theme "We are ONE".

The main parade is scheduled to begin at 5pm from Queen Park, also known as Dragon Plaza, and will proceed through Old Town to the Chartered Bank intersection on Phang Nga Rd. Organisers said anyone wishing to join the "People’s Parade" must register in advance for safety reasons.

Registration will be open from 3pm to 4pm, followed by parade assembly until 5pm. Government agencies, private organisations and sponsors will register participants through their respective organisations.

A formal opening ceremony is set for 7pm to 8pm. After that, live entertainment will continue on the main stage in front of the Government Savings Bank Phuket Branch on Phang Nga Rd. Headline performers include Thai singer Hai Aphaphorn Nakhonsawan with her full band and Ton Thanasit, along with other guest artists. The evening programme will also include the Miss Phuket City Pride 2026 competition.

Phuket Old Town has been decorated with Pride flags and rainbow-themed displays for the event, including a giant rainbow flag to be unfurled in the old quarter. Visitors will also be able to take photographs with installations including the PRIDE Bunny at the Chartered Bank intersection and the mascot "SMIFI" at the Suriyadej Roundabout.

The celebrations also include the "PRIDE Paint" art exhibition at Limelight Phuket, featuring works by artists from across Thailand until June 30. The exhibition presents entries from a nationwide competition on the theme "WE ARE ONE".

Food vendors from well-known Phuket restaurants will operate throughout the evening near the main stage. Organisers have also designated parking areas with capacity for more than 500 vehicles.

According to Phuket City Municipality, the event is intended to provide a welcoming space for members of the LGBTQIAN+ community to express pride in their identities while promoting greater understanding and acceptance of diversity. The municipality also said it hopes the celebration will support tourism and generate economic activity for businesses in Phuket Old Town.

Preparations have been underway for weeks, with Mayor Suppachoke Laongphet chairing a planning meeting in May with municipal officials and stakeholders to coordinate the parade route, traffic management, public safety and logistics. Festivities are scheduled to run from 5pm until around midnight.