Provincetown Pride: June 2-4, 2023
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The 45th Annual Carnival is happening August 12-19, 2023

Carnival – created by the Provincetown Business Guild in 1978 – is Ptown’s original Summer celebration of community, expression, and creativity. The weeklong festival attracts tens of thousands of guests from all over the world to enjoy parties, events, costume contests and the celebrated Carnival parade down Commercial Street. Start planing now for 2023’s theme: Land of Toys

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45th Annual Parade: Thursday August 17, 2023
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Floats large & small, self-propelled vehicles & walkers are all invited to participate in the 2023 parade.
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Featured Carnival 2023 Events

Sunday August 14th

Feet Over Front Street 5K Run & Walk

Get Carnival week started off on the right foot by sharing some self-love in the form of fresh air, exercise and community right in step with your LGBTQ+ fam.
Sunday August 14th @ 8:30a

“Let’s Get Kraken” Carnival Cruise

Provincetown’s 44th Annual Carnival will officially get KRAKEN with a legendary cruise and MONSTER dance party featuring music by NYC’s own Bright Light Bright Light and Justin Dawson.
Sunday August 14th @ 4p

Miss Swamp Thang Carnival Opening Party @ The Crown & Anchor

Miss Swamp Thang has crawled out of the Cranberry Bogs of Provincetown and is headed straight to the dance floor. The most monstrous swamp-lewk will win $250 cash and spot aboard one of the PBG’s floats in Thursday’s Carnival Parade.
Sunday August 14th @ 9p

Monday August 15th

The Myth of Medusa Carnival Pool Party @ The Brass Key

Join over 1,000 of the sexiest folks at Carnival for a truly massive, one-of-a-kind experience. Dance the day away under the sun on the gorgeous grounds of the Brass Key Guesthouse – plenty of surprise performances and jaw-dropping feats throughout the afternoon await.
Monday August 15th @ 1p

Gesellschaft Presents – 1986: Legends of Zelda, O’Queerina of Time @ Red Room

This one goes to all the GAYmers out there!! Whether you’re a Link-Twink, or a full-bodied Jiggly Puff with show-stopping twerk talents, we know you’ll bring the spirit of your favorite gamer legends to the dancefloor.
Monday August 15th @ 10p

Tuesday August 16th

Electric Dreams: Legendary Tea Dance @ The Boatslip

Provincetown's legendary Tea Dance at The Boatslip hosts an extra special edition just for Carnival. Expect the unexpected and celebrate this historic queer tradition in your most mythical look as DJ Chris Ewen spins a monstrous set.
Tuesday August 16th @ 4p

HORNY Official Carnival Dance Party @ The A-House

Provincetown’s longest-running discotheque is already the stuff of legends, so let’s horn-up and get down. It’s about to get real devilish in here with all you little monsters running around 😈😈😈
Tuesday August 16th @ 10p

Provincetown Follies: Carnival Edition @ The Crown & Anchor

Join us for a night at the Provincetown Follies, for a cabaret style show produced by Jonathan Hawkins that is packed with fun and colorful craziness plus a touch of Vegas, the Folies Bergere and the Moulin Rouge!
Tuesday August 16th @ 10p

Wednesday August 17th

Legend of the Pied Piper – Pop-Up Girl Party @ Provincetown Brewing Company

Provincetown’s famed (and last!) lesbian bar returns to Provincetown for a one-afternoon-only girl-party over with music curated by DJ Leah L’Duke. This Pied pop-up is gonna bring all the girls to the yard…
Wednesday August 17th @ 4p

Mx Justin Vivian Bond: Oh Mary, It's Carnival Week! @ Town Hall

To celebrate the return of Provincetown's legendary Carnival festivities, your Auntie Glam, Justin Vivian Bond is bringing their brand new show: Oh Mary, It's Carnival to our queer and quaint seaside paradise for one night only!
Wednesday August 17th @ 8:30p

“KAPOW!” Lycra Party @ Red Room

Superhero Secret #1: Half the battle for looking SNATCH during Carnival is wearing your Super-lycra bodysuit. Live your best life in lycra at the Red Room, the home of Provincetown’s iconic weekly Underwear Party.
Wednesday August 17th @ 10p

Thursday August 18th

44th Annual Carnival Parade

Winding its way down Commercial Street from the Harbor Hotel in the East End to the Coast Guard Station in the West End, this year’s 44th Annual Carnival Parade will again serve as a symbol of Provincetown’s inclusiveness, creativity and diversity with 2022's theme: Monsters, Myths & Legends.
Thursday August 18th @ 3p

Friday August 19th

SLURP: Paige Turner's Tawdry Pool Party @ The Boatslip

Mayhem. Foolishness. Music! Celebrate the return of NYC’s longest-running drag show - now poolside! Expect prizes, show-stopping numbers and banana hammocks galore plus beats from the hunky DJ James Cerne.
Friday August 19th @ 12p

Rainbow Connection: Big Feet Dance Party @ Provincetown Brewing Company

Jump into the ‘Legend of Big Foot’ and bring your BIG FEET dance-moves to groove amongst the redwoods of the taproom. Who knows, maybe Sassy-Squatch will make an appearance? Grab some food and the best beer in town to keep the party going.
Friday August 19th @ 7p

Carnival Gallery Stroll

The Provincetown Gallery Stroll is a free event that occurs Friday evenings in season. Most of Provincetown’s galleries, from the east to the west end, are open for visitors to stroll through with many featuring special exhibitions during The Stroll. This is a great opportunity to visit the many wonderful galleries throughout Provincetown.
Friday August 19th @ 7p

Monster Mashup Carnival Closing Party @ The Crown & Anchor

Not your average graveyard smash. The Monster Mashup closing party will wrap-up the entirety of our Monstrous, Legendary, Mythical week, and smush all of our themes together into one big party climax. Expect DJ Chris Racine to serve a mashup (or two,) to keep the children entertained. Dance until your tank is out of gas, because this will be the final serve!
Friday August 19th @ 10p

Saturday August 20th

Queer AF Bingo: Studio 54 Carnival Edition with Austin & Mackenzie @ The Crown & Anchor

Relive the glamor by dressing up as your favorite Studio 54 legend and then join Ptown celebrity-duo, drag queen Mackenzie + lovable co-host Austin, as they tell some stories, pull some (Bingo) balls, and give away some fabulous prizes!
Saturday August 20th @ 2p

Carnival 2023 Events

Alyssa Edwards at Town Hall: Carnival 2023

Provincetown is excited to welcome Drag Race fan favorite, Alyssa Edwards to Town Hall for the 45th Annual Carnival Celebration! She's here to frolic with all of you - her favorites - in the Land of Toys.  Join us for a night of comedy, stories and tongue pops like only Alyssa Edwards can offer!  ...
Wednesday August 16th
8:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Town Hall
260 Commercial Street, Provincetown, MA 02657
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More About Carnival

Recap Carnival 2022

More than 100,000 people gathered in Ptown to celebrate Summer & last year's theme: Monsters, Myths & Legends
See Pics

Parade Float Artist & Business Matchmaking Program

After a successful 2022 test pilot, the program will return permanently to facilitate a stronger connection between town’s business & creative communities.
Learn More

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