Pride Parade DC — The streets of the nation’s capital are alive with color, music, and pride this weekend as WorldPride 2025 marks its grand finale with a massive parade and cultural celebration across downtown D.C. Tens of thousands have gathered from across the country and around the world to celebrate LGBTQ+ identity, inclusion, and the city’s historic 50th year of Pride events.
The WorldPride parade kicked off at 2 p.m. on Saturday at 14th and T Streets NW with a moving Indigenous-led opening ceremony, setting the tone for a day of empowerment and resilience. The parade’s grand marshals include Emmy-nominated actress and activist Laverne Cox, singer Reneé Rapp, and Deacon Maccubbin, the original organizer of D.C.’s first Pride celebration in 1975. Together, they led more than 300 vibrant floats, vehicles, performers, and community groups through the city.
The parade route winds south along 14th Street, onto Pennsylvania Avenue, and ends at Ninth Street NW, transforming the heart of the District into a celebration of LGBTQ+ pride and solidarity. Crowds cheered under the shadow of the U.S. Capitol as music, dance, and powerful messages of inclusion echoed through the streets.
“This isn’t just a celebration — it’s a moment of resistance and unity,” said Tiffany Lyn Royster of the Capital Pride Alliance. “We are louder, prouder, and more determined than ever.”
A Weekend of Pride and Protest
WorldPride D.C. 2025 is not just a festival — it’s a milestone. It’s the first time Washington, D.C., has hosted the international Pride event since its founding in Rome in 2000. The festival also commemorates five decades of Pride in the city, making this year’s gathering especially significant amid a politically charged atmosphere.
Organizers originally expected up to 3 million attendees, though numbers were impacted by heightened concerns over LGBTQ+ rights and safety following federal policy changes under the Trump administration. Executive orders restricting transgender protections and DEI initiatives have raised alarms, especially among trans and non-binary communities.
Despite these challenges, Royster said this year’s parade may draw over 700,000 attendees, nearly double the turnout of typical D.C. Pride events.
“People came here to help us be seen, to help us be heard, and to help us fight,” Royster said.
Music, Joy, and Representation
The parade featured powerful musical performances, including a 1,000-foot rainbow flag carried by over 300 singers from across the U.S. The Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., sang Beyoncé’s “Freedom” and other social justice anthems to honor the moment. “When we sing, joy is the number one thing,” said chorus director Thea Kano. “Joy is our resistance.”
Also marching was the D.C. Different Drummers Marching Band, an LGBTQ+ musical ensemble known for its diversity and inclusivity. Trumpet player Kirsten Zeiter proudly played with a rainbow-colored prosthetic arm, saying the performance represents “acceptance, pride, and joy.”
More Than Just a Parade
Beyond the parade, D.C.’s Pride weekend includes a block party in the historic Dupont Circle “Gayborhood,” a street festival with multicultural music and dance, and headline performances by Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, Raye, and Purple Disco Machine. Saturday night closes with a concert by Oscar-nominated actress Cynthia Erivo, followed by a final celebration Sunday headlined by rapper-singer Doechii.
The National Park Service sparked brief controversy earlier this week when it fenced off Dupont Circle Park, a symbolic landmark for the LGBTQ+ community. After widespread public outcry, including criticism from local officials, the fence was removed on Saturday morning following overnight negotiations with the mayor’s office.
“We’re proud to have reached a solution that respects both safety and the historic importance of this space,” said D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a joint statement with the NPS.
Travel and Safety Tips for Attendees
With major street closures expected around Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, U Street, and downtown, city officials are urging attendees to use public transportation. Metro trains will run until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday and reopen at 6 a.m. over the weekend to accommodate festivities.
Law enforcement agencies have increased their presence to ensure the safety of participants, with community organizations offering resources, hydration stations, and support zones throughout the area.