Things to do in New York for Pride Day

There’s a whole host of satellite events taking place in the run-up to Pride Day proper, many of which are worthy of your attention if you happen to be in town for the duration. These include:

• A program of talks. workshops and activities (suitable for all ages) at the Children’s Museum of Manhattan.
• The annual Pride concert from Stonewall Chorale, the country’s fist gay and lesbian choir.
• NewFest’s LGBTQ+ film premieres, plus filmmaker Q&As and fun social gatherings.
• The Criminal Queerness Festival, which showcases theatrical works from queer and trans artists in countries that criminalize or otherwise suppress LGBTQ+ communities.
• New York City Dyke March requires little explanation, other than to say it's a protest (i.e.not an officially recognized parade) raising awareness around women’s and trans rights, and that it takes place peacefully (with puppetry, homemade banners and love) the day before the official Pride March.

The main date for your diary is the last Sunday of June. This is when the NYC Pride March snakes its way through Lower Manhattan and Greenwich Village, bringing flamboyant floats, eye-popping costumes and plenty of singing and dancing in its wake. Love is in the air as this celebration of inclusivity and LGBTQ+ culture gets the Pride party started in earnest from 11AM. Spectators line the sidewalks, eager to shout support and of course snag those all-important Insta shots, as float after increasingly outlandish float passes through en route to the Stonewall National Monument, in a nod to the 1969 NYC riots that kickstarted the whole global LGBTQ+ rights movement. Watch out for appearances by the festival's grand marshals – luminaries to have filled this ceremonial role in years past include Billie Jean King, Laverne Cox, Billy Porter and Sir Ian McKellen.

The party continues over at PrideFest, which runs in tandem with the parade, also kicking off at 11AM for a day of fun socializing and great live music. Expect dozens of local vendors, with goodies that run the gamut from international street food to craft cocktails, unique fashions and artisan jewelry. The performers are no slouches either: previous years have seen the likes of Ariana Grande, Grace Jones and even Madonna set the stage on fire (no, not literally).

If this all sounds a little hectic that’s because, well, it is. But fear not: there’s something for families too. Hit up YouthFest at the scenic South Street Seaport, where kids can make new friends, express themselves and enjoy games, food and live music in a safe, inclusive environment that celebrates their individuality.

As we said, New York doesn’t do things by halves, and Pride month is no exception. The famous Pride rainbow flag is flown at state parks and buildings across New York and a whole host of major NYC attractions are illuminated in the spectrum of colors. That’s right, everything from the One World Trade Center to the Empire State Plaza and even the Niagara Falls will experience a splash of the red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple magic at one point or another in the month.

It’s a great time to visit New York’s many attractions. Explore three centuries of queer culture at the excellent Leslie-Lohman Museum of Gay and Lesbian Art, see iconic works by 20th-century photographer and LGBTQ+ trailblazer Alice Austen at the Alice Austen House Museum, and pay your respects the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who have lost their lives to AIDS at the moving West 12th Street memorial. The LGBT Center in Greenwich Village is a hub for community activities and events throughout the year, so it’s only natural that Pride Day is among its most popular, with table games, live music, photo booths and, yes, karaoke. Don’t miss the chance to duck into the second-floor bathroom for a peep at artist Keith Haring’s famous ‘Once Upon a Time’ mural.

Then, of course, there are the legendary gay bars and drag nights along the Parade route and beyond, among them Cubbyhole, Albatross, the Barracuda Lounge. And can you really say you’ve been to NYC Pride if you haven’t called in for a cocktail at The Stonewall Inn? Now a National Historic Landmark, this is one of Pride’s busiest nightspots, so be prepared to queue. Look out for the sign declaring ‘this is a raided premises’ at the entrance, in recognition of the events that led to the 1969 riots.

You’re in the Big Apple, baby, so there’s plenty more you can see and do should the Pride crowds get a little too much for you. The New York Pass can save you $$$ when visiting multiple attractions over consecutive days. There are over 100 attractions, tours and activities included with the pass, including some of the city’s absolute essentials.

Get an aerial view of the party from some of the highest observation platforms in the West. We’re talking no less than Top of the Rock, the One World Observatory, and the Empire State Building itself! It’s also a great time to check out world-class museums like MoMA and the Guggenheim, which generally run tours or exhibitions highlighting work by LGBTQ+ artists around Pride – both museums are included on the New York Pass. You could also visit Lady Liberty, take a bike ride around Central Park, or come face to face with Marilyn, Angelina and Tay Tay at Madame Tussauds New York. And there are guided walking tours galore: Chinatown, Little Italy, Wall Street and more. Heck, there’s even a Pride-themed tour, although (for reasons we hope would be obvious) this one isn't available on Pride Day itself!

Find out more and get your New York Pass here.