Guide to Provincetown Carnival 2025: Summer Camp!
Theme: Summer Camp! | Dates: August 16–23 | Parade Day: Thursday, August 21
Provincetown Carnival is one of the most beloved LGBTQ+ events in the country and Carnival 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most playful and outrageous yet. This year’s theme, Summer Camp!, invites everyone to relive (or reinvent!) their childhood camp experience, this time with glitter, drag queens, dance parties, and a lot of sunscreen.
Whether it’s your first Carnival or your tenth, this guide will help you plan a week to remember.
Carnival 2025 At a Glance
Theme: Summer Camp!
Dates: Saturday, August 16 – Saturday, August 23
Parade Day: Thursday, August 21 at 3 PM
Parade Route: Starts at the Harbor Hotel heading down Commercial Street past the Boatslip
Estimated Attendance: 50,000-60,000+ visitors
What Is Provincetown Carnival?
Started in 1978, Provincetown Carnival is a weeklong celebration of LGBTQ+ pride, self-expression, community, and creativity. Hosted by the Provincetown Business Guild (PBG), Carnival includes pool parties, drag shows, dance nights, costume contests, art installations, and the iconic Carnival Parade, which draws thousands in costume along Commercial Street.
Each year features a different theme and in 2025, it’s all about camp vibes. Think bunk beds, counselors, friendship bracelets, marshmallows by firelight, and plenty of queer nostalgia.
Carnival Week Schedule Highlights (subject to updates):
Daily 4:00-7:00PM Boatslip Tea Dance A new theme each day.
Sunday, Aug 17
3:15-7:00PM The Love Boat: Carnival Cruise
9:00PM-1:00AM Couture Camp: Carnival Opening Party at Crown & Anchor
Monday, Aug 18
12:00-4:00PM Wet Hot Summer Camp Carnival Pool Party at Brass Key
9:00PM Showgirls at Provincetown Inn - Legendary weekly talent show
Tuesday, Aug 19
12:00-4:00PM Queer Field Day - Tug-of-war, three-legged races, and hilarious team games!
1:00-3:00PM Carnival Bingo at Crown & Anchor
3:00-5:00PM Watership Inn Party with Miss Ritchfield 1981
10:00PM-1:00AM Basecamp: A-House Official Carnival Dance Party
10:00PM-1:00AM Mayhem Brat: Carnival Dance Party at Red Room
Wednesday, Aug 20
10:00-11:30AM Salt Marsh Eco-Tour: Carnival Week "Summer Camp" Edition! with Coyote Kayaks
12:00-4:00PM Babes & Bois: Carnival Pool Party Seaglass Inn & Spa
8:30-10:00PM Pattie Gonia presents IT'S CAMP! At Provincetown Town Hall
9:00PM-1:00AM Fagbash at Club Purgatory at Gifford House
10:00PM-1:00AM Twin Peaks Dance Party at Red Room
10:00PM-1:00AM Tuff Ptown Carnival at Crown & Anchor
Thursday, Aug 21
3:00PM Carnival Parade (arrive early for the best viewing spots!)
4:00-8:00PM Parade Tea Dance at the Boatslip
9:00PM-1:00AM Dumbbell: Jockstrap Thursday at Club Purgatory at Gifford House
10:15PM-1:00AM Ptown Famous Underwear Party at Red Room
Friday, Aug 22
9:00PM-1:00AM Into the Wild: Carnival Closing Party at Gifford House
Saturday, Aug 23
Pro Tip: Book accommodations early, plan your costumes ahead of time, and pack sunscreen and glitter in equal measure.
Planning to attend multiple events? Look into the Carnival 2025 Summer Camp VIP Package that includes multiple event tickets and priority entry!
What to Wear: Embrace the “Summer Camp!” Theme
One of the best parts of Carnival? The costumes!! This year’s theme opens the door to everything from childhood nostalgia to sexy scout uniforms to wild, gender-bending takes on camp classics.
Costume Ideas for Summer Camp!
Lifeguards & camp counselors
Campfire flames
Tents, lanterns, and s’mores
Hiking gear with a drag twist
Insect queens, pine trees, or wild animals
Retro ‘80s summer camp movies (Wet Hot American Summer, anyone?)
Friendship bracelets, tube socks, bandanas, and whistle necklaces
Glamorous spins on Scout uniforms—badges encouraged (or redesigned 😉)
Pro Tip: Plan ahead and bring backup looks. You’ll probably want a few different outfits for parties, parade day, and beach lounging.
Carnival Tips for First-Timers
Arrive early for the parade: It gets very crowded, especially near the Boatslip and Town Hall.
Stay hydrated: It’s summer, it’s hot, and there’s usually more dancing than sleeping.
Sunscreen + glitter = essential.
Support local vendors: Many artists and shops create Carnival-themed gear.
Cash helps: Especially for tips at bars, performers, and quick grab snacks.
Plan your outfits early: Many folks go all-out and DIY.
Make dinner reservations in advance: Town restaurants get packed during Carnival week.
Be respectful: It’s a week of joy and freedom, but kindness, consent, and community are what make Provincetown special.
Beyond the Parade: What Else to Do
While Carnival is the main draw, take time to enjoy all Provincetown has to offer:
Art galleries and studios on Commercial Street
Bike rides through the dunes in the Cape Cod National Seashore
Sunset at Herring Cove or Race Point Beach
Nightlife: Red Room, A-House, Crown & Anchor, Gifford House, and more
Why Carnival 2025 Will Be Unforgettable
There’s no other week quite like Provincetown Carnival, where camp meets creativity, queerness meets community, and celebration meets self-expression. This year’s Summer Camp theme gives everyone a chance to play, perform, and come together in a town that has long been a safe haven and joy-filled escape.