Westmoreland County Pride Weekend
2026

Westmoreland County Pride Weekend 2026 expanded Westmoreland Cultural Trust’s Pride programming into a multi-event celebration centered on community, connection, visibility and inclusive cultural experiences at The Palace Theatre. The weekend brought together LGBTQIA+ community members, allies, families, artists, vendors and audiences from throughout the region through a diverse lineup of social, entertainment and arts-based programming.

The weekend featured the return of Pride Prom, creating an inclusive opportunity for guests to dress up, dance and experience the celebratory traditions of prom in a welcoming environment. Pride Movie Night was held inside The Palace Theatre and expanded beyond a traditional film screening to become a broader community gathering. The event incorporated an LGBTQIA+ Vendor Market, providing space for local artists, makers, businesses and organizations to connect directly with attendees while increasing the visibility of LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs and community resources. By combining film, local vendors and social engagement within the historic theatre, the event created multiple ways for guests to participate and connect.

The annual Drag Brunch was also reimagined for 2026 through a significant change in venue configuration. Rather than presenting the event in a traditional event space, the brunch was moved directly onto the historic Palace Theatre stage. Guests were seated onstage alongside the performers, transforming the theatre into an intimate cabaret-style environment and allowing patrons to experience the venue from a perspective typically reserved for artists. The new configuration created a more immersive relationship between audience and performer while demonstrating how creative use of the Palace itself could enhance the overall patron experience.

Across the weekend, greater attention was placed on creating a cohesive guest experience through hospitality, accessibility, community partnerships, event atmosphere and multiple entry points for participation. Post-event audience feedback was also strengthened to better understand who Pride programming was reaching, what attendees valued and what types of programming they hoped to see in the future. This approach allowed the weekend to function not only as a celebration, but also as an opportunity for meaningful audience development and long-term relationship building.