Delray Beach cancels St. Patrick’s and Pride events, citing Florida’s anti-DEI law

By Abigail Hasebroock | ahasebroock@sunsentinel.com | South Florida Sun Sentinel

PUBLISHED: November 10, 2026 at 11:32 AM EST

Delray Beach city officials have announced the cancellation of two events next year — St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Pride event — before a new state law takes effect that bans funding and promotion for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.

“Following a review of the legislation and its requirements, the city has determined that it is legally prohibited from organizing, funding or promoting these events in 2027,” the city wrote in a statement on its website.

City Manager Terrence Moore said in an interview with the South Florida Sun Sentinel that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade could be hosted if an outside, “private interest” offered to sponsor it.

“We are open for business in that regard,” he said. Otherwise, “any DEI event we can no longer sponsor.”

Whether more city events will be terminated due to the state law is “to be determined,” Moore said.

Delray is likely among the many cities and counties in Florida that have started deciding which events to cancel next year.

In April, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 1134, which prohibits local governments from funding, promoting or implementing DEI initiatives, including through taxpayer money or third-party contractors. The restrictions include programming and activities designed or implemented with reference to ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The law will take effect in less than two months, on Jan. 1, 2027. The law also would penalize officials who violate the law.

Delray Beach’s St. Patrick Day Parade began in 1968, having since grown into what a downtown development website called “one of South Florida’s largest annual” St. Patrick’s Day Parades. The event has welcomed “thousands of locals and visitors alike for a high-energy day filled with Irish pride, entertainment and community fun.”

Delray Beach also has hosted at least five Pride festivals in recent years. According to the city’s Old School Square and the city’s Arts Garage, the Pride events have featured live entertainment, local vendors, food and even pet costume contests.

Pictures posted by the city from the 2023 Pride festival show people wearing rainbow-colored clothes and holding LGBTQ+ flags stationed along different spots along Atlantic Avenue.

The cancellation of next year’s Pride event would be the latest LGBTQ+ display gone from the city.

Last year, as part of a statewide initiative, the Florida Department of Transportation sandblasted and painted over the city’s rainbow intersection at Northeast First Street and Northeast Second Avenue.

The recently announced cancellation of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade spurred reaction online.

“We need to stand up and fight back against this restrictive regulation!!” one user wrote on Facebook.

“Whyyyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!! This was such a great day!!!” another wrote.

In its statement, the city wrote it “recognizes that these annual events have provided opportunities for members of the community to gather, celebrate and connect.

“We appreciate the residents, participants, volunteers and community partners who have contributed to these events over the years.”