The national capital is ‘painted with pride’ featuring a variety of events to inspire, empower and connect the international LGBTQ+ community
As part of the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Pride in Washington DC in 2025, the capital of the United States, a large number of shows and attractions have been lined up to make it an all-out international experience.
According to a press statement by Destination DC, the official destination marketing organisation of the city, the national capital is ‘painted with pride’ featuring a variety of events to inspire, empower and connect the international LGBTQ+ community and their allies.
WorldPride Opening Ceremony, May 30, 2025
The occasion also marks the beginning of the Capital Cup and WorldPride Sports Festival
According to the statement, the WorldPride DC 2025 celebrations will be inaugurated on May 30 in a yet-to-be-announced sports arena. The celebration will begin with a formal land acknowledgment, followed by a captivating performance by local tribal leaders. The occasion also marks the beginning of the Capital Cup and WorldPride Sports Festival. After opening remarks, there will be a flag-raising ceremony by key dignitaries including the Mayor, food and drink, an interactive light display and a live concert.
Sports Festival, May 30 to June 4, 2025
The statement adds that the festivities will commence with the Capital Cup, a multi-day sports festival organised by Team DC, the city’s network of LGBTQ+ sports teams and leagues. Expected sports include dodgeball, pickleball, rugby, volleyball and even the IGLA Swimming Championship 2025.
WorldPride Music Festival, Global Dance Party, June 6-7, 2025
The two-day music festival features three stages of diverse, incredible talent and cutting-edge art across genres like house, pop, drag, and techno
The board says that the 50th anniversary of Capital Pride will be marked with the grandest LGBTQ+ celebration. The two-day music festival features three stages of diverse, incredible talent and cutting-edge art across genres like house, pop, drag, and techno. Prepare for the ultimate global dance party organised by Jake Resnicow’s Dreamland and produced by Insomniac Events and Club Glow, the team behind the historic 2019 WorldPride event in NYC.
WorldPride Parade, June 7, 2025
The nation’s capital is decked out with pops of colour and vibrant fanfare
The statement adds that visitors can experience the WorldPride Parade as decorative floats, festive groups and diverse displays make their way down Constitution Avenue. Spanning nearly 20 blocks, celebrate the LGBTQ+ community as the monumental backdrop of the nation’s capital is decked out with pops of colour and vibrant fanfare.
WorldPride Festival, June 7-8, 2025
A large number of shows and attractions have been lined up
The Capital Pride Festival and Concert, already one of the largest LGBTQ+ events globally, will expand to two days during WorldPride Weekend, says Destination DC. The expansive National Mall will host hundreds of thousands of attendees to enjoy exhibits, food and drink gardens, games and performances featuring local acts and national headliners.
WorldPride Closing Concert and Ceremony, June 8, 2025
The festivities will be wrapped up with an epic closing ceremony on the National Mall. The evening will be marked by performances, a montage of the week’s past events and an interactive art installation for attendees to leave their mark. Plus, witness the passing of the torch to the next WorldPride host destination, complete with performances by international acts in front of the US Capitol, which houses the US Congress.
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