Memorial Weekend Pensacola, one of Florida's largest LGBTQ celebrations, starts Thursday

Brandon Girod, Pensacola News Journal
·2 min read

On Pensacola Beach, Memorial Day weekend has doubled as a huge LGBTQ celebration. Every year, thousands of people descend upon Park East on Pensacola Beach.

The celebration is deeply rooted in Pensacola history, with the first parties taking place in the early 1960s. It began when Pensacola couple Ray and Henry Hillyer decided to invite some out-of-town friends to spend the weekend with them at the beach.

The original parties were actually held on July 4, but the parties eventually shifted to Memorial Day weekend in the early 1990s after Johnny Chisholm, owner of the former Emerald City nightclub, began organizing and promoting local Memorial Day LGBT parties.

Now, 60 years later, the Hillyers are credited with starting Pensacola's annual Memorial Day weekend parties and with helping other LGBTQ people struggling with their identities in a time when many lived hidden lives in fear of legal prosecution and ostracism.

Here's what to know about LGBTQ celebrations over Memorial Day weekend.

Memorial Weekend Pensacola

Every Memorial Day Weekend, Pensacola Beach plays host to thousands of people from all over the country to celebrate LGBTQ pride. In 2021, Traffic counts at the Bob Sikes Bridge leading to Pensacola Beach noted 74,023 vehicles between Friday and Monday.

And that doesn't even take into account the masses of people who camp out on the beach starting earlier in the week.

The biggest attraction of the weekend, Memorial Weekend Pensacola (MWP), kicks off Thursday and runs over the entire weekend at Park East.

Entertainment Thursday night opens with DJ Dan Slater and DJ Will Lowe. The opening party, called Intro, is where you'll find your passes and credentials.

Memorial Day weekend at Pensacola Beach Saturday, May 27, 2023.
Memorial Day weekend at Pensacola Beach Saturday, May 27, 2023.

Friday is the Neon Ball and Backlight Glow Party featuring DJ Tom Stephan and DJ Karsten Sollors. The party starts at 9 p.m. and ends at 3:30 a.m.

Saturday is a Tea Dance with DJ Robbie Carrigan and a special DJ set to celebrate the 30th anniversary with DJ Trixie Mattel. Saturday night you'll find the Deep Sea Disco with DJ Abel and DJ Tdon.

Everything wraps up Sunday with a 30th anniversary white party called Abracadabra. Wear anything with white and party with DJ Joe Gauthreaux and DJ Eddie Martinez.

During the day feel free to enjoy the beach and check out all the seafront tents usually decked out in elaborate decorations.

Most tickets are still available and can be purchased here.

  • Tea Dance: $25

  • Abracadabra: $75

  • Deep Sea Disco: $80

  • Neon Ball "GLOW" party: $75

  • Intro-Welcome party: $40

  • Weekend pass: $220

  • VIP weekend pass: $430

  • 4-day parking pass in lot H: $85

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Memorial Weekend Pensacola festivities start Thursday. What to know