Each year, not just in New York but all over the world, people gather at the end of June to celebrate diversity and promote equality. In New York City, Gay Pride events take place across the city for an entire week! People come to NYC from all over the world in June to kick-off Pride Week at the rally, experience the PrideFest street fair and walk in the famous Pride March!
NYC Pride Week Overview
To get an overview of Pride Week in New York City, check out this day-to-day guide to some of the main events:
- Saturday June 16th
At the start of the week, a rally will take place at the East River Bandshell [see pin 1 on the map] from 3-6 pm. At this free event, local celebrities, performers and public speakers will give speeches to kick-off Pride Week. You can find the East River Bandshell in the East River Park, close to Cherry Street. To get there, take the subway to Delancey Street/ Essex Street (F, J, M & Z lines), and walk east parallel to the Williamsburg Bridge until you hit the park, and then make a right.
- Wednesday June 20th
You can catch a free outdoor movie showing of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for Pride Week’s family night. The showing begins at dusk at Pier 46 (Charles Street & West Side Highway) [see pin 2 on the map]. If you want to get a good seat and snatch one of the multicolored blankets, be there at 7.30 pm. The closest subway stations are Christopher Street/Sheridan Square (1 line) and West 4 Street (A, B, C, D, E, F & M lines).
- Saturday June 23rd
There will be 2 big parties to choose from on Saturday. From 2-10 pm, you can join the VIP rooftop party at Hudson Terrace [see pin 3 on the map]. Tickets start at $35, access is 21+ and be sure to book in advance as this party sells out quickly! For a women-only dance event, make your way down to Pier 57 for Rapture on the River [see pin 4 on the map]. This party lasts from 4-11 pm and tickets start at $25. To get tickets for these dance events, go to the official NYC Gay Pride Events website.
- Sunday June 24th
Sunday will mark the conclusion of Pride Week. The March will start at 12 pm at 36th Street and Fifth Avenue [see pin 5 on the map]. The route goes all the way down to 8th Street, then heads west to the Stonewall Inn at Christopher Street, and ends at Greenwich Street. If you’re still looking for a place to stay for yourself or your friends during Pride Week, check out these vacation rentals in Chelsea, most are just a couple of blocks away from the starting point of the March!
Gay Pride around the World
It’s clear that New York knows how to throw a party. But there are many other cities in the world that hold awesome Gay Pride parades as well! For example, on June 30th 2012, Paris will hold a massive parade: it is estimated that more than half a million people will attend! Many other cities in France also have Gay Pride celebrations; Marseilles, for instance, is famous for its amazing after parties on the evening following the parade. Across the Channel, celebrations in London will be especially exciting this year, as the city will host Worldpride! This global Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender festival is held in a different city every 5 years, and will take place in London from the 23rd of June until the 8th of July. The art & culture festival will culminate with a huge parade through central London on July 7th.
Wherever you are in the world, you can be sure there’s a Gay Pride celebration nearby!
Wow! Great article NYHabitat! Thanks for the week overview I’m definitely going to join some of the events! 🙂