Millions of people are expected to march through the West Village this Sunday for the annual NYC Pride March, one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world.<\/p>\n
The march \u2014 which commemorates the 1969 Stonewall uprising credited with birthing the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement \u2014 promises to be both an exuberant and determined show of solidarity for the city\u2019s queer communities and allies. It and other major Pride events will also shut down multiple streets and lead to an increased police presence around the city.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s everything you need to know about the NYC Pride March \u2014 as well as other major events happening this weekend.<\/p>\n
NYC Pride March<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s NYC Pride March will start at noon Sunday at 26th Street and Fifth Avenue and move through Greenwich Village, where it\u2019ll eventually reach the Stonewall Inn, the site of the police raid that led to two days of violence and demonstrations.<\/p>\n
There are several grand marshals: former SNL comedian Bowen Yang; actress, model and activist Dominique Jackson, who played Elektra Abundance on FX’ss \u201cPose\u201d and authored autobiography “The Transsexual from Tobago;” Peppermint, the first out trans contestant on \u201cRuPaul\u2019s Drag Race;\u201d subway announcer and radio personality Bernie Wagenblast, also known as \u201cthe voice of the MTA;\u201d and advocacy group Gays Against Guns.<\/p>\n
The route heads south from 25th Street to 8th Street, west to 6th Avenue, down Greenwich Avenue and Christopher Street to 7th Avenue, then north on 7th Avenue to 16th Street, according to the NYPD.<\/p>\n
Police plan to close blocks along the route, along with formation streets from 25th to 33rd Streets between 6th and Madison Avenues. Dispersal blocks from 15th to 19th Streets between 6th and 9th Avenues will also be closed or partially blocked, city officials said.<\/p>\n
NYC Pride is also hosting two other major events this weekend:<\/p>\n
Youth Pride will take place at Pier 16 South Street Seaport from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The outdoor event will feature DJs, live performances and carnival games.Pride Fest, the largest LGBTQIA+ street festival in the country, will take place along Fourth Avenue from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The street fair will feature queer artists, queer-owned businesses and a wide array of food.<\/p>\n
Erik McGregor\/LightRocket via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Queer Liberation March<\/p>\n
More than 10,000 people are expected to cluster into Union Square West around 3 p.m. on Sunday to participate in the Queer Liberation March, which will take participants to Washington Square Park.<\/p>\n
The Reclaim Pride Coalition organizes the march as what it calls a \u201ccorporation-free event.\u201d It\u2019s an alternative to the NYC Pride March that honors the grassroots history of the LGBTQ+ rights movement, according to Jay W. Walker, one of the march\u2019s cofounders.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe thing about the Queer Liberation March is that you really need a gathering space that’s large enough to accommodate that many thousands of people, and you need an endpoint that is capable of absorbing and being able to safely disperse that number of people,\u201d Walker said. \u201cAnd so that’s the big piece of planning a really big march like this.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s theme is \u201cBreaking the Chains of War and Oppression for Trans and Immigrant Rights.\u201d<\/p>\n
Neither the NYPD nor the city\u2019s department of transportation advised of any street closures for The Queer Liberation March.<\/p>\n
Thousands gathered for the 2025 Dyke March. The event is organized every year as a demonstration of the right to protest.<\/p>\n
Photo by MADISON SWART\/Hans Lucas\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n
Dyke March<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Dyke March \u2014 held to celebrate the lesbian community \u2014 will take place on Saturday, the day before the NYC Pride March and the Queer Liberation March.<\/p>\n
Organizers say anyone who identifies as a dyke \u2014 including lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, queer, trans, non-binary and people \u2014 can take part in the march. They supporters who identify otherwise should cheer from the sidelines.<\/p>\n
The march begins at 5 p.m. Attendees will travel from Bryant Park and march along Fifth Avenue to Washington Square Park around 8 p.m. This year\u2019s theme is \u201cHot Dykes Melt Ice,\u201d protesting ICE actions throughout the country.<\/p>\n
The march has taken place each year since 1993 without permits or sponsors, as a demonstration of the right to protest, organizers said. They planned to provide sighted guides, wheelchairs, ASL interpretation and assistance in transportation funds for disabled or ill participants.<\/p>\n
Neither the NYPD nor the city\u2019s department of transportation advised of any street closures for the Dyke March.<\/p>\n
Last year’s Pride ended in two violent incidents<\/a> that police said were unconnected to the march. A man sprayed bear deterrent into a crowd at Washington Square Park, setting off a stampede that injured nearly 50 people. Several hours later, two teens were shot and a third was stabbed near the Stonewall Inn on Sheridan Square, in what police said was a fight between rival groups; a 17-year-old boy was later arrested on attempted murder charges<\/a>.<\/p>\n