WorldPride Washington DC has officially begun its three-week celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community in the capital and around the globe.
D.C. boasts one of the largest and most energetic LGBTQIA+ pride celebrations in the country — up to half a million people gather in the District for Pride Month events.
This year, the District is set to host up to 2 million people. Festivities will include a parade, multiple festivals and a block party on 17th Street, the site of the original D.C. "Gay Pride Day." The celebration on June 22, 1975, drew 2,000 people, which founder Deacon Maccubbin considered a smashing success.
"It was a smidgen of what we think of as Pride today, but a wonderful smidgeon,” Maccubbin told News4’s Tommy McFly.
WorldPride encompasses dozens of parties, concerts, art exhibits, sporting events and more over several weeks, leading up to a massive parade. Many cities and towns have planned their own Pride Month celebrations (scroll to see a map in the "Pride celebrations across D.C., Maryland and Virginia" section).
WorldPride DC will combine celebrations of the queer community and activism as LGBTQIA+ advocates say their rights are under attack. The organization is mobilizing people for a march on the closing day of WorldPride.
Below, we'll share details on the major Pride events, tips for visitors and more.
Every Wednesday, we'll share top Pride Month and WorldPride events in our free newsletter, The Weekend Scene. Subscribe here.
WorldPride's biggest weekend: June 7-8
Whatever your Pride vibe is, there's an event for you. WorldPride lists dozens of official events from parties to theater to sports to education opportunities to tours.
Below is a rundown of some of the biggest events: the WorldPride Parade and multiple festivals.
Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesWhen is the 2025 Pride Parade in D.C.?
The WorldPride Parade is scheduled for Saturday, June 7, 2025. It will step off at 2 p.m. from 14th and T Streets NW, move south on 14th Street and through Thomas Circle. The parade is set to end near Pennsylvania Avenue and 19th Street NW.
The best place to watch the parade? You’ll find good views all along the 1.8-mile route, but show up early if you want to be super close. Grandstand seating is available starting at $42.59. If you need accessible seating, register here.
Best Metro stations? Dupont, McPherson Square and U Street are among the closest stops.
Last year, Capital Pride debuted this streamlined parade route that skips Dupont Circle, the historic home of D.C.'s LGBTQIA+ Pride celebrations. But the 17th Street Block Party promises live entertainment and more on Friday, June 6, from 5-10 p.m. and Saturday, June 7, from noon to 10 p.m.
What to know about WorldPride festivals and concerts
WorldPride is actually bringing several festivals and concerts to D.C., including a film festival and the Capital Cup Sports Festival. Below is a quick rundown.
- Welcome Ceremony and Shakira concert (Saturday, May 31): This show was canceled due to safety issues with Shakira's stage.
- WorldPride 17th Street Block Party (Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7): A free block party with live music in a historic "gayborhood." Kick things off with the High Heel Party on Friday featuring drag performances on multiple stages, plus DJs on every corner. On Saturday, drop by for a funk band, fire performers, a mermaid tank, street murals and more drag. Looking for something family-friendly? Try the Family Fun Festival at nearby Stead Park.
- WorldPride Music Festival: Global Dance Party (Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7): Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, Marina, Kim Petras, RuPaul and Trisha Paytas are just some of the big names performing at this music festival at the RFK Festival Grounds. Single-day passes start at $139.
- FREE WorldPride Street Festival + Concerts (Saturday, June 7, and Sunday, June 8): "Wicked's" Cynthia Erivo will headline the free concert hours after the WorldPride Parade. On Sunday, Doechii and Khalid will close out WorldPride with a bang. (We suggest going several hours early or purchasing VIP tickets if you want to be anywhere near the stage.) The concert grounds will be at 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Make your way up Pennsylvania Avenue to explore all the Street Festival has to offer, including more performances, exhibitors, shopping, food, beverage gardens and kids' activities. The Street Festival is set to be open from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
- WorldPride International Choral Festival (Friday, May 23 to Sunday, June 8): The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) will host 50 concerts in 25 venues across D.C. All events are free and open to the public, but you can purchase a premium pass for $73 to get perks including reserved seating at many shows.
Celebrating the diverse queer community
The LGBTQIA+ community is diverse, and several organizations are hosting special events to uplift and bring together people over shared experiences and challenges.
Bianca Sprague, executive director of Trans Pride Washington DC, told us she still sees a lack of visibility and spaces for trans folks at major festivities.
Getty ImagesTrans Pride offers “not only offers connection and building relationship with members of the community, but it also offers learning opportunities and education for individuals who are going through their individual transition journey."
Check out these Partner Pride and Diversity Pride celebrations:
- Trans Pride Washington DC and the National Trans Visibility March on June 8
- DC Latinx Pride
- D.C. Black Pride
- Silver Pride
- API Pride
- Youth Pride
- Deaf, DeafBlind, Deaf Disabled, and Hard of Hearing Queer Pride
WorldPride theme: 'The Fabric of Freedom'
The theme of WorldPride DC is “The Fabric of Freedom.” Organizers want visitors to D.C. and the United States to see it as a place of freedom, Capital Pride Alliance Board President Ashley Smith said.
“All of us have come from a different cloth; all of us had different experiences,” Smith said. “Those are the different fabrics you have to look at that create the fabric of freedom.”
Pride celebrations across D.C., Maryland and Virginia
Pride Month parades, festivals and other celebrations will pop up in cities across the D.C. area. Mark your calendars for these celebrations.
Find one near you on this map:
Getty ImagesThe Prince George’s County Memorial Library System also hosts Pride events throughout June.
Tips for D.C. visitors
If you’re coming to D.C. for the first time (or the first time in a while!), check out these tips for navigating the District during a busy time.
Getting around: Metro is the easiest way to get to huge events like the Pride Parade and festivals. Google Maps and other transportation apps will give you transit directions. Buses and trains accept payment from SmarTrip cards; we recommend loading one onto your smartphone. You can also buy plastic cards at Metro stations.
Metro will extend hours for the Pride Parade weekend. Metrorail will close at 2 a.m. on Friday, June 6, and Saturday, June 7. It will open at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8, then close at midnight on that Sunday.
The Metro escalator golden rule: Stand on the right, walk on the left.
Bikes and scooters: You can rent bikes through Capital Bikeshare. It’s cheap, but make sure you check that docking stations are available near your destination (and not full). You can also rent e-scooters from Lime, Lyft, Spin and Veo.
Restaurants: Make reservations, especially if you have your heart set on a specific brunch or dinner. Also, check the fine print on menus before you order. Some popular restaurants add a service charge or additional fee to your order (often about 3% to 5%), and some automatically include service charges that are not a tip for your server. Eateries are required to disclose such fees on menus.
Weather: D.C. gets hot in June. Plan for high temps in the 80s and humidity. Check the Storm Team4 forecast before heading out.
Concern about LGBTQIA+ rights, safety and the political climate
WorldPride arrives in the nation's capital as LGBTQIA+ advocates say their rights are being attacked by the Trump administration. Organizers moved events out of the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump shook up the center's leadership, saying they didn’t have another choice as they try to protect the LGBTQ+ community
Getty ImagesWorldPride DC warned transgender and nonbinary travelers and put travel resources on their website for visitors whose passports include "an 'X' marker or gender differing from sex at birth." The Trump administration said it only recognizes two unchangeable sexes: male and female.
“This is something that my community faces every day, is worrying whether or not this space is gonna be safe for them,” Advocates for Trans Equality Senior National Organizer Devon Ojeda said.
He and his trans friends often worry about being targeted or harassed, and he understands if people decide not to attend WorldPride out of safety concerns. But he also feels it’s important for the community to come together.
“I also am in the mindset of always continuing to be in these spaces — to say I am trans, I am visible. You’re not gonna take that away from me,” he said.
WorldPride says it expects thousands to fight against hate and for human rights by marching to the U.S. Capitol in the International Rally + March on Washington for Freedom, in partnership with the National Trans Visibility March, on Sunday, June 8.
The WorldPride Human Rights Conference also aims to "inspire global action," while the Capital Pride Honors will celebrate leaders and activists.
