The Black Party returns.
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
Resurrected in 2024 from its Covid-induced hibernation, the first since 2019, The Black Party’s annual pagan-inspired ritual, traditionally scheduled for the weekend closest to the vernal equinox, has established itself as a must-attend event for gay New York nightlife — a one-night only, no-holds-barred, nocturnal carnival.
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
This year’s party, Rites XLII: The Black Party is set to blast off in NYC on March 22, delivering its signature mix of curated beats with erotic-infused performance art for a one-of-a-kind marathon dance party intended to shed winter skin. The theme—Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy — will transport attendees to a surreal dimension where neon-lit nostalgia collides with the possibilities of a tariff-free galaxy providing “the answer to life, the universe and everything.”
Learn more about this year's The Saint At Large® presents XLII: The Black Party® at saintatlarge.com, or follow @saintatlarge on Instagram for more updates. In the meantime, take inspiration from these photos of last year’s festivities, and learn more details about the upcoming event.
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
This year's event runs from 10 p.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025 until Sunday afternoon.
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
The location is Stage 48, 605 W 48th St., NYC
The Black Party 2024
Klaus Enrique for The Black Party
The event is known for "strange live acts."
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
Dress code? "Heavy," meaning "serious fetish clothing (leather, rubber, harnesses, gear)"
The Black Party 2024
Bunnyz for The Black Party
There are four immersive floors.
The Black Party 2024
Wilsonmodels for The Black Party
And six DJs throughout.
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
There's also a fully-equipped Goon Lounge (open to close).
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
Proceeds benefit The Saint Foundation.
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
Follow @saintatlarge on Instagram for more updates.
The Black Party 2024
Bunnyz for The Black Party
Structured as a five-act opera with a backstory imagined by an artistic director and brought to life with performance artists, theatrical lighting, production design and state-of-the-art “dancesurround” sound, The Black Party is a fully realized immersive environment with each participants’ experience at its core.
The Black Party 2024
Wilsonmodels for The Black Party
The Black Party is produced by The Saint At Large organization.
The Black Party 2024
Peter Lau Photography for The Black Party
Inspired by its legendary namesake nightclub, The Saint (1980–1988), The Saint At Large has built a reputation as the preeminent producer of gay nightlife entertainment, known and respected worldwide for its ambitious productions, cutting edge innovations, and creative staging.
The Black Party 2024
Wilsonmodels for The Black Party
In 1980’s New York, The Saint sprung to life, transcending the standard, modestly-executed, gay club establishment, emerging as the very pinnacle of nightclubs on the world stage. A revolutionary reinvention of a planetarium built in an abandoned East Village theater by impresario Bruce Mailman, it was world renown as “the Vatican of Disco.”
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
Queer artists including Robert Mapplethorpe, Martin Wong, REX, Bastille created poster-sized invitations attracting luminaries like Keith Haring, Andy Warhol, Leonard Bernstein and Thierry Mugler among the thousands of card-carrying members.
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
The Saint evolved into the quintessential discotheque, shaping the NY scene and gay life well after its physical doors closed in 1988, a victim of the devastating AIDS plague.
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
Enter The Saint at Large, the legacy event production group which has carried the torch to bring queers together in a safe space for one night only (and usually the next day) events.
The Black Party 2024
Bunnyz for The Black Party
From the treasures left by its long-gone patrons, the company has created an educational and charitable non-profit, The Saint Foundation, to preserve its sui generis cultural contributions.
The Black Party 2024
Wilsonmodels for The Black Party
Stage 48 is a former horse stable located in Hell's Kitchen, NYC that hosts concerts, DJs, and nightclub events. A large horseshoe balcony overlooks the main floor providing excellent site lines of the 34-foot wide stage and revelers below. The Black Party inhabits the entirety of the four-floor venue, culminating in two dance floors with lounges for the long haul.
The Black Party 2024
Wilsonmodels for The Black Party
Tickets and info available at www.saintatlarge.com
The Black Party 2024
Santago Felipe for The Black Party
For more information on The Saint Foundation at www.thesaintfoundation.org
The Black Party 2025
flier courtesy The Black Party
The Saint At Large® presents XLII: The Black Party®
