Johannesburg Pride of Africa 2025: How to Join the March & Exciting Events

October marks Johannesburg Pride Month, led by Pride of Africa, where thousands of participants, allies, and supporters from across South Africa, the continent, and beyond gather to challenge injustice and drive change in a cultural movement. This year’s lineup of community dialogues and cultural showcases forms part of the theme, “Purely, Queerly, African.” Here’s what you need to know.

Johannesburg Pride | What's on in Joburg

When is Johannesburg Pride taking place?

From 10am on Saturday, the Pride of Africa Village in Sandon will come to life with dynamic activations, live performances, and a bustling marketplace spotlighting independent makers. The main Pride March kicks off along Katherine Street, transforming the city into a vibrant display of unity and self-expression. As evening falls, the celebration continues with an electric line-up of drag performances, DJs, and live acts across multiple immersive hubs, keeping the energy high until midnight.

The National Dialogue Stand Survey will invite participants to share their voices on the most pressing issues shaping the queer community.

“This year, our theme ‘Purely, Queerly, African’ is a declaration of pride in who we are as Africans,” says Kaye Ally, Founder and Director of Pride of Africa Foundation. “It is about reclaiming space, celebrating our diversity, and demanding inclusion across the continent. Pride is a living, breathing, and constantly growing community that continues to shift the narrative globally while grounding itself firmly in Africa.”

When: Saturday, 25 October from 2pm
Where: Meet at Katherine Street corner West Street & Rivonia Road, Sandton

A rare appearance by Joburg mayor

The 2025 edition also marks an incredible milestone for the movement, as the Office of the City of Johannesburg’s Executive Mayor lends official support to Johannesburg Pride for the first time, reinforcing its commitment to inclusion and equality. Executive Mayor Dada Morero will join the march — only the second time in its 36-year history — affirming Johannesburg’s enduring support for the LGBTQIA+ community and its human rights campaign.

The history of Johannesburg Pride

Founded in the final years of apartheid, Johannesburg Pride is the oldest and most significant Pride event on the African continent. The march was a bold declaration of visibility for South Africa’s LGBTQIA+ community, rooted in advocacy and intersectionality. Over the decades, Johannesburg Pride has evolved from a protest march into a powerful celebration of identity, unity, and progress, and by extension reflects the city’s dynamic and diverse spirit.

Here are all the fringe events

The Queer Met Gala

The Queer Met Gala makes a dazzling return to Johannesburg Pride with unapologetic glamour and bold fashion for a black-tie affair. This year, the Mayoral team will join the event as keynote speakers to embrace the theme Purely, Queerly, African — a powerful tribute to identity, culture, and connection through a distinctly African lens.

The celebration begins with sundowners followed by a moving Umqombothi Ceremony before a three-course pairing dinner inspired by the vibrant flavours and landscapes of South Africa. Each course is thoughtfully paired with curated drinks, promising an unforgettable sensory experience. The dress code is Queer African Excellence — strictly black tie or formal.

Cost: R1000pp, including an Umqombothi Ceremony, three-course pairing dinner paired with curated drinks. Book via Howler