Sussex Pride will host a variety of activities for Rehoboth Beach Pride 2026, taking place from Friday to Sunday, July 17 to 19. This annual celebration brings together the local LGBTQ+ community, neighbors and visitors to honor diversity, advocate for equity and foster deep connections across the region.

The centerpiece of the weekend, the Rehoboth Beach Pride Festival, will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, July 18, inside the air-conditioned Rehoboth Beach Convention Center, 229 Rehoboth Ave. Roxy Overbrooke will host the main stage as live performances take place all day along with music from DJ MK and Tribe 9 Entertainment.  

Attendees can also take part in educational workshops and specialized community meetups, along with a raffle dedicated to raising funds to support unhoused LGBTQ+ youth across Delaware.

"Rehoboth Beach Pride is more than a festival; it is a vital space for community, healing and connection," said David Mariner, Sussex Pride director. "From youth meetups and policy discussions to local artistry and nighttime comedy, we are excited to showcase the incredible vibrancy of Sussex County's LGBTQ+ community."

Interested attendees can kick off Pride weekend with a joint celebration from 1 to 4 p.m., July 17, honoring the opening of Novus Medical Services at 616 Mulberry St., Milton, along with an exclusive preview of the new Sussex Pride Community Center at 612 Mulberry St.

An Interfaith Pride Service for healing, reconciliation and affirming Queer spirituality, organized by the Rev. Carla Christopher, chair of Sussex Pride Faith, will begin at 6 p.m., July 17, at Metropolitan Community Church Rehoboth.

The Rehoboth Beach Bears will host a special dine and donate event and Pride celebration at 8 p.m., July 17, at The Pines to mix, mingle, and support local initiatives.

Featured workshops for the Pride Festival July 18 include a focus on unhoused LGBTQ+ youth at 10:30 a.m., when Spotlight Delaware reporter Brianna Hill will moderate a panel discussion aimed at creating critical safety nets and support structures for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth in Delaware. Panelists include Susan Davis of Housing Alliance Delaware and Jim Bianchetta, Delaware Safeguard Housing Committee chair.

A Transgender Youth Panel featuring award-winning nonbinary journalist and author Nico Lang will begin at 12:50 p.m., with Lang moderating a discussion of the modern needs of trans and nonbinary youth in Delaware, featuring local youth and parents.

Addressing an increase in HIV and syphilis diagnoses amid federal budget cuts, Sussex Pride’s healthcare initiatives will take center stage at 2 p.m., July 18, with Stem the Surge: End the Epidemic, a panel moderated by Kevin Naff of the Washington Blade. Panelists will include Shaun Barcavage and Dr. Lisa Spacek from Novus, El Mora from AIDS Delaware, and Jerry Filbin, Delaware HIV Consortium board president.

The final day begins with the Rehoboth Beach Pride Ride at 10 a.m., Sunday, July 19, hosted by the Dykes on Bikes Rehoboth Beach Women’s Motorcycle Club, meeting at Lefty's. The weekend concludes at 2 p.m. with the official Rehoboth Beach Pride Closing Party at Aqua Bar & Grill, celebrating the venue's landmark 20th anniversary.

Due to peak summer traffic, attendees traveling from out of town are strongly encouraged to use the local Park & Ride service.

To learn more, go to rehobothbeachpride.org.