Since its foundational inception in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Pride has become far more than a month-long occasion for parades and pageantry. Over the past several decades, LGTBQ+ history and culture have helped shape cities across the globe, from Austin to Glasgow, marked by plenty of powerful moments, people, and businesses in the Pride movement along the way.
It’s time to plan your Pride for the year ahead. (Photo Credit: @rolandas)
Pride how you Pride at Kimpton.
Now, a quarter of the way into the 21st century, amidst the most polarizing political climate of the modern era, Pride is more pivotal than ever. Out of necessity for camaraderie and community, it’s become more omnipresent and evergreen, with events and celebrations held in different cities and towns all year long, proving once and for all that Pride is not just a party, nor is it merely a month; it’s a ceaseless movement, bravely forging forward.
The power of Pride has never been more evident, nor more important. In the year ahead, that emphasis is on full, glorious display across the globe, as countries, states, and cities plan festivals and events designed to send a message of love, support, and solidarity. Here is how — and where — to show your Pride in 2025.
WorldPride Returns to the US
The Olympics of Pride, WorldPride is an international Pride celebration that’s been taking place every two to three years since it’s inaugural event in Rome in 2000. Since then, it’s only been held in the US once, in New York City in 2019, marking the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots.
It’s time to experience WorldPride in DC. (Photo Credit: Capital Pride Alliance)
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride in the nation’s capital. (Photo Credit: Capital Pride Alliance)
In honor of the 50th anniversary of Pride in DC, a city that consistently ranks as having the highest percentage of LGBTQ+ residents, WorldPride is to be held May 23 — June 8, with all manner of programming slated throughout the city, and an estimated 3 million attendees expected to visit from across the globe.
With “The Fabric of Freedom” as the guiding theme, events include a Welcome Ceremony and Concert, headlined by Shakira, and the inaugural Capital Cup sports festival with LGBTQ+ athletes and teams. The WorldPride Human Rights Conference takes place June 4 — 6, followed by a two-day Dance Musical Festival June 6 — 7, and the WorldPride Parade on June 7.
The celebration includes a parade, concert, and human rights conference. (Photo Credit: Capital Pride Alliance)
While WorldPride’s anticipated return to the US is, in and of itself, a huge deal, it’s worth noting that DC is well positioned to host such an event on such an international scale. No matter who resides in the White House, it’s a city that has positioned itself at the forefront of the Pride movement, extending the sentiment beyond a periodic festival or parade, and into the very patchwork of daily life.
Dupont Circle has been the historical gayborhood, but nowadays, LGBTQ+ culture, businesses, and events, can be found throughout the city. As at Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse, a decades-old mainstay named after Annie Katinas, a staunch ally for the LGBTQ+ community, who turned her family’s restaurant into a sanctuary way before it was widely accepted to do so. Today, the bustling restaurant feels unabashedly gayer than ever, with multi-generational patrons from all walks of life.
When in DC, you can rest easy at Kimpton Hotel Monaco DC. (Photo Credit: @mandaweaver)
Then there’s Red Bear Brewing Co., the only LGBTQ-owned brewery in town, which works to debunk heteronormative stereotypes about breweries by hosting regular drag events, hanging rainbow flags, and pouring cheeky beers like Hefe Don’t Preach hefeweizen, and Bottoms Up! margarita gose.
Among the newer gay bars in DC, The Little Gay Pub is as loud and proud as they come, offering a more refined cocktail program in an artfully designed space bedecked with signage touting support for the trans community.
US Pride Festivals
In the US, Pride festivals and events begin in full force with Fort Lauderdale Pride. The first official Pride festival of the year, held February 12 — 16, it’s a veritable warm-weather oasis for LGBTQ+ snowbirds, with a parade and all manner of concerts and events. It’s swiftly followed by Tampa Pride on March 29, with a Diversity Parade through the historic Cuban neighborhood of Ybor City, and a concert at the legendary Cuban Club.
From April 4 — 6, Miami Beach Pride is next, bringing a diverse array of events, parties, parades, and attractions — plus plenty of LGBTQ+ bars and clubs to check out, including Palace Bar & Restaurant and Twist. The other big Florida Pride, Orlando, isn’t held until October 17 — 19, including a massive festival at downtown’s beautiful Lake Eola Park.
Pride’s first stop of the year? Sunny Florida, of course. (Photo Credit: @sherinejp)
Come spring, head to the annual Rainbows Festival in Phoenix. The second largest Pride in Arizona, and held April 5 — 6, the festival features live entertainment, drag shows, and exhibitors in Heritage Square Park. Meanwhile, Atlanta hosts its own enormous Pride festival in Piedmont Park from April 25 — 27, along with a kickoff party at the Georgia Aquarium, and parades dedicated to trans, pansexual, and lesbian communities.
One of the most famous LGBTQ+ destinations, Provincetown, Massachusetts, is always a summertime hot spot. Especially during Provincetown Pride, from June 6 — 8, wherein the popularly proud community gets (somehow) even prouder, with T Dances, parties, a Pride Rally at town hall, the annual dedication of the rainbow crosswalk, and the Pride Boat Crossing from Boston.
And, speaking of Boston, the city hosts its own booming Boston Pride — complete with festival and parade — from June 12 — 15.
Next stop? California. (Photo Credit: @hotelwilshire)
California is always a major hub for Pride festivals. Effectively the gayborhood of Los Angeles, West Hollywood holds its own Pride May 30 — June 1, complete with the Outloud Music Festival, parade, and street fair. Meanwhile, San Francisco remains one of the foremost Pride destinations on Earth, with its week-long Pride slated for June 21 — 29. Upwards of 1 million visitors are expected to attend, with programming spread across the famously inclusive city.
Then there’s San Diego Pride, which takes place July 12 — 20, with a major parade and festival anchored in Balboa Park, and endless bars and businesses to frequent in the nearby Hillcrest neighborhood, like Flick’s and Rich’s, and The Studio Door art gallery.
Celebrate the summer in San Diego, the proud jewel of southern California. (Photo Credit: @hotelsolamar)
Welcome to California. (Photo Credit: Rene Molenkamp)
New Orleans doubles down with different versions of Pride, starting with NOLA Pride on June 7, followed by New Orleans Black Gay Pride June 12 — 15, and rounding out summer with Southern Decadence over Labor Day weekend. The latter is a long-running legend, offering endless activities, parties, pop-ups, and one seismic parade that meanders throughout the entire French Quarter.
One of the most popular destinations on Earth for LGBTQ+ travelers, New York City’s world-famous Gay Pride takes place June 25 — 29, drawing attendees from across the globe for its parade, festivals, parties, and events. Elsewhere, Brooklyn has its own Pride from June 9 — 15, and Long Island Pride takes place June 8.
NYC’s Gay Pride festival is world famous. (Photo Credit: @kateaustinn)
Take the festive summer celebrations to Brooklyn. (Photo Credit: Juan Domenech)
Denver Pride is to be held June 28 — 29, with events like a parade, a Pride 5k, an all-ages family area, and plenty of live entertainment, drag shows, and dance parties. That same weekend is Nashville Pride, held at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park, with a momentous parade, three music stages, and popular parties, like the Sweet Tea Dance.
Among the largest of its kind in the country, Chicago Pride regularly draws over 1 million attendees from across the Midwest and beyond. The festivities span from June 21 — 29, bookended by Chicago Pride Fest on the first weekend, and an enormous parade — which weaves its way through Lakeview and Uptown — on the latter.
When in Chicago, you can rest easy at Kimpton Gray Hotel. (Photo Credit: @lettierryan)
While there, Northalsted is the traditional gayborhood, populated by timeworn bars and clubs like Hydrate and Roscoe’s Tavern, but be sure and venture into outlying neighborhoods to visit LGBTQ-owned restaurants and bars like Big Jones, Dorothy Downstairs, and Nobody’s Darling.
Elsewhere in the Midwest, Detroit’s Ferndale Pride is scheduled for May 31, with a flag-raising ceremony and numerous dance stages, while Milwaukee’s PrideFest runs June 5 — 7, and Twin Cities Pride takes over Minneapolis-St. Paul June 28 — 29 — the same dates at Pridefest in St. Louis and Cincinnati Pride.
One particularly notable Midwestern Pride is the one in Columbus. Ohio’s capital city, among the fastest growing cities in the nation, draws the second most attendees in the region, after Chicago. Columbus Pride now features events all month-long in June, with the main festival running June 13 — 14, and a staggering parade rolling through the Short North on June 14.
Be proud to celebrate. (Photo Credit: @mariacampbellphotography)
Proving that even the Pride festivals are bigger in Texas, cities throughout the Lone Star State wave their own rainbow flags at events throughout the year. Such as Dallas Pride June 14 — 15, and Houston Pride and San Antonio Pride both on June 28. Austin, meanwhile, hosts its Pride festival in August.
Back in Dallas, the Black Tie Dinner is one of the largest LGBTQ+ fundraising events in the country, held annually in November. After, many patrons head to the Oak Lawn gayborhood for unofficial afterparties, at local institutions like gay country bar The Round-Up Saloon.
The Pacific Northwest is a region renowned for its Pride celebrations. (Photo Credit: @honestchatter)
In the Pacific Northwest, Seattle Pride in the Park takes place June 7, followed by the Seattle Pride Parade on June 29, and with a whole month of city-wide programming in between. Portland Pride features a Waterfront Festival and Parade from July 19 — 20.
Further west, Hawaii’s marquee Pride event is Honolulu Pride, held October 17 — 19, complete with a Waikiki parade, a festival at Waikiki Shell, and annual events like the Lei Pride Pool Party.
Head north to Canada to continue the festivities into the summer. (Photo Credit: @ashkanhobian)
Be loud and be proud. (Photo Credit: Frank Huang)
Beyond the US, other Pride festivals include Toronto Pride from June 16 — 29, Halifax Pride from July 17 — 27, Vancouver Pride from July 25 — August 3, and Montréal Pride from August 1 — 10. Even Canada’s smallest province, Prince Edward Island, gets in on the Pride action, with an annual festival in Charlottetown, and another July Pride in the charming seaside town of Victoria, where rainbow flags are omnipresent year-round.
