{"id":162560,"date":"2026-02-20T13:28:14","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T13:28:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/162560\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T13:28:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T13:28:14","slug":"defiant-st-pete-lights-up-the-sky-as-winter-pride-saint-pete-shines-60-miles-strong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/162560\/","title":{"rendered":"Defiant St. Pete lights up the sky as Winter Pride Saint Pete shines 60 miles strong"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Winter Pride Saint Pete<\/a> had its grand pride laser light ceremony, sending rainbow lasers into the evening sky in a display that organizers say can be seen from as far as 60 miles away.<\/p>\n

The show didn\u2019t explode into full brightness right away. Instead, it started off subtle\u2026 a slow, gradual process as the lasers warmed up. At first, the colors were faint and easy to miss against the glow of the streets, but as the minutes passed, the beams sharpened, brightened, and became dramatically more vivid.<\/p>\n

By the time the display reached its peak, the transformation was undeniable. What began as a low-key start built steadily into a striking, intensely colorful rainbow stretching above St. Pete.<\/p>\n

Even though the ceremony took place in the heart of St. Petersburg, the lasers didn\u2019t feel like a local-only moment. People throughout the area reported seeing the glow from a distance, turning the launch into something bigger than a single gathering and giving Winter Pride a skyline-sized presence.<\/p>\n

As the festival continues with events throughout the week, the lighting ceremony set the tone in a way that felt perfectly St. Pete: not overly dramatic, not rushed, just a steady build into something bold, bright, and legitimately legendary by the end of the night.<\/p>\n

Check out photos from Winter Pride\u2019s Lighting Ceremony from Big Gay Radio Show<\/a> Host Chri<\/a>s<\/a> Gorman<\/a> & Voice-Over artist Sean Kelly and all of Winter Pride\u2019s upcoming events below! <\/p>\n

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Winter Pride St. Pete 2026 Upcoming Event Schedule<\/p>\n

Winter Pride: Pride in Plaid & Polar Plunge (Presented by Mistr)<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, February 20, 2026 \u2014 Cocktail St. Pete & The Wet Spot
A high-energy bear celebration with DJs, dancers, and an expanded pool party component, complete with a kilted dress code.<\/p>\n

Winter Pride Pelican Ball \u2013 Winter Nights in Monte Carlo (Featuring Plasma)<\/a><\/p>\n

Friday, February 20, 2026 \u2014 Floridian Social
An upscale evening inspired by Monte Carlo, featuring an open bar, immersive art, a live auction, and headliner Plasma in support of Winter Pride\u2019s mission.<\/p>\n

Winter Pride Dripping in Diamonds (Featuring Eliad Cohen)<\/a><\/p>\n

Saturday, February 21, 2026 \u2014 Thirsty First
Winter Pride\u2019s signature circuit party featuring DJ Eliad Cohen, high-impact production, and a night built around nonstop movement.<\/p>\n

Winter Pride Drag Race (Presented by Inclusive Care Group)<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, February 22, 2026 \u2014 2800 Block Central Ave.
Featuring Jan Sport, this Central Avenue tradition includes drag race teams, vendors, food trucks, celebrity judges, and a $5,000 charity donation prize.<\/p>\n

Winter Pride Afterglow (Presented by Pearlman Trial Group)<\/a><\/p>\n

Sunday, February 22, 2026 \u2014 The Wet Spot Pool
A closing pool party to wrap the week with entertainment, dancing, and one final celebration.<\/p>\n

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