WorldPride 2025 in Washington DC: Here's everything you need to know
| 02/20/25
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WorldPride is coming to our nation's capital this May!
2025 marks the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Washington, DC. As such, the Capital Pride Alliance is excited for DC to host WorldPride 2025 and celebrate this exciting milestone.
An official statement reads:
"WorldPride DC 2025 will feature a vibrant and innovative slate of events and cultural programs that will highlight the best that Washington, DC has to offer. From music to film, from the National Mall to Embassy Row, you will experience the world through Washington’s multi-faceted and multi-cultural community."
Scroll through for more information about each event included in WorldPride 2025, which takes place between May 17 and June 8, 2025.
The theme is 'Fabric of Freedom'
Pride event.
Nelson Antoine/shutterstock
"Throughout history, people have used fabrics as expressive symbols, to communicate identities, and as forms of resistance," the website reads. "While the LGBTQ+ community faces growing challenges both in the United States and worldwide from those seeking to divide rather than unite, it’s the fabric of our community — through our rich cultures, diverse identities, and backgrounds — that will guide us forward towards a better future.
"As Washington, DC hosts WorldPride in 2025 and commemorates 50 years, we will welcome visitors from around the world to celebrate our vibrant community and continue the fight for equality. Every one of us — new threads woven together — strengthen the fabric of our community, and of this global movement.
"While the fabric of the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride flag symbolizes the diversity of our community, it is our shared humanity and unshakable unity that defines our greatest strength. We are people bound by love and acceptance, struggle and resilience, our past and our future, forging an ever-evolving community that together embodies The Fabric of Freedom."
Shakira is set to perform at the Welcome Ceremony!
Shakira at a live performance.
AGIF/shutterstock
"WorldPride 2025 will kick off the Welcome Ceremony at Nationals Park with remarks from key dignitaries and the welcoming of the Capital Cup athletes. The memorable celebration will showcase the rich history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in Washington, DC and around the globe. WorldPride 2025, will also mark the 50th anniversary of the city’s Pride celebrations concurrently with WorldPride, May 17 – June 8, 2025.
Global superstar Shakira will bring her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, produced by LiveNation, to Washington, DC as the official headliner for WorldPride DC 2025’s Welcome Concert on Saturday, May 31 at Nationals Park."
WorldPride Parade
"The iconic Capital Pride Parade will transform into the iconic WorldPride Parade emblematic of the historic Pride movement. This beloved tradition honors our history and acknowledges the evolution of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, DC, while respecting the origins and importance of taking to the streets in our fight for equality."
Date: June 7
Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, RuPaul to headline the music festival!
(L-R) Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, RuPaul
Tinseltown/Shutterstock; Wendell Teodoro/Getty Images; Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect via Getty ImagesThe largest LGBTQ+ music festival in history takes place June 6 and 7, and boasts some of the biggest LGBTQ+ acts and DJs from around the world! See the full lineup here!
International March on Washington is on June 8
Gathering in front of the U.S. Capitol.
Keri Delaney/shutterstock
"Following the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr., Marian Anderson, and countless others who have demanded freedom, and feature renowned LGBTQ+ activists and leaders from around the world. The march route will follow the grand avenues of Washington, DC for optimum visibility, and culminate at the U.S. Capitol."
Paint the World with Pride
Rainbow Progress Pride Flag in crosswalk.
DCStockPhotography via shutterstock
Visitors to WorldPride DC will be in awe when they discover the city’s enthusiasm in decorating for Pride month. Encompassing Washington, DC and the surrounding regions, Paint the Town with Pride is a collective campaign that promotes the colorful decoration of businesses, homes, and public spaces in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. WorldPride attendees will have free access to a Paint the Town Virtual map, highlighting the inspiring and larger-than-life installations throughout the area that are available to visit.
This event takes place May 16 through June 30.
Tapestry of Pride at the Kennedy Center
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is lit up in rainbow colors.
Rena Schild/shutterstock
A celebration of diversity and unity, weaving together performances, exhibitions, and experiences for all ages.
WorldPride Street Festival
Capital Pride Parade marchers.
Nicole Glass Photography/Shutterstock
"The free WorldPride Street Festival and Concert will extend to two electrifying days during the celebration weekend. It will take place on America’s Mainstreet, historic Pennsylvania Avenue. The Festival will feature hundreds of vibrant exhibitors, skilled artisans, delicious food, and beverage gardens. The celebrations will come alive with multiple stages, showcasing an array of multicultural and multilingual performances, making this an unforgettable experience."
Date: Saturday, June 7 and Sunday, June 8
Time: 12:00 noon – 10:00 pm
Location: Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Between 9th and 3rd Streets
WorldPride Film Festival
"Filmmakers worldwide are invited to submit LGBTQ+ films of all genres and lengths (features and shorts) to be screened across various venues in D.C. from May 27, through May 29, 2025."
Human Rights Conference
By focusing on inclusion, diversity, and accessibility, WorldPride Washington, DC aims to center the voices of those most marginalized in our LGBTQ+ community.
The Human Rights Conference will include opportunities to hear from guest speakers and participate in workshops highlighting queer history, erasure/visibility, and issues that greatly impact our global community.
Date: Wednesday, June 4 through Friday, June 6
Location: JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Black Pride
Pride Parade marchers.
Samuel Alia/shutterstock
More than 30 years after the first DC Black Pride drew 800 people to Banneker Field for a day themed “Let’s All Come Together,” more than 300,000 members of the LGBTQ+ community of African descent and their allies have come to Washington, DC during Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate the beauty of a shared community and raise awareness and funding for HIV/ AIDS in the name and spirit of Black Pride.
DC Black Pride is produced annually by the Center for Black Equity, a Capital Pride Alliance partner. The event takes place May 23-26.
Latinx Pride
DC Latinx Pride marchers.
Samuel Alia/shutterstock
The event takes place June 3 through June 7.
Trans Pride
Pride Parade marchers with trans flags.
Nicole Glass Photography/Shutterstock
The event takes place between May 17 and May 18.
International Choral Festival
The Gay Men's Chorus of Washington DC.
footage still via youtube @GMCWashington
Each day of the WorldPride Festival the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, DC (GMCW) will present a 45-minute pop-up choral performance that includes ensembles of GMCW (Potomac Fever, Rock Creek Singers, Seasons of Love, GenOUT Youth Chorus, and 17th Street Dance) and several other GALA choruses from around the country*. Venues under consideration include the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Epiphany Church, St Thomas Church, Live at 10th & G, National City Church, and Sixth & I. Additionally, GMCW will present their annual Pride Show Saturday, May 31 and Sunday, June 1, at a venue TBD.
CANCELED: A Peacock Among Pigeons
The Advocate reports that the Kennedy Center has canceled an "unofficial WorldPride concert" featuring the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. and the National Symphony Orchestra — which was titled "A Peacock Among Pigeons."
Capital Cup Sports Festival
Washington, DC boasts one of the most extensive local networks of LGBTQ+ sports teams and leagues in the world. In partnership with Team DC, each of these leagues—along with their athletes, administrators, and volunteers—welcomes you to the inaugural Capital Cup Sports Festival, held during WorldPride DC 2025.
The festival is still accepting participants for Basketball (3v3), Bocce, Cornhole, Darts. DC Gaymers (Esports), Diving (IGLA 2025), Dodgeball, Flag, Football, Golf, Pickleball, Road Cycling, Rock Climbing, Roller Derby, Rowing Rugby (Mens), Rugby (Womens), Running (road and park), Soccer, Swimming (IGLA 2025), Tennis, Volleyball (Sand/Indoor), Water Polo (IGLA 2025), and Wrestling.
Dates: May 30 – June 4, 2025
Closing concert is on June 8
Capital Pride Concert
DCStockPhotography via shutterstock
An extraordinary week deserves an epic closing ceremony! WorldPride will conclude with an epic Closing Ceremony, featuring incredible entertainment and performances by a variety of notable artists. The evening will highlight a montage of the week’s past events and an interactive art installation for attendees to leave their mark. The public will also witness the passing of the torch to the next WorldPride host destination.
