Your Guide to Pride March NYC 2019

When and where does the Pride March start?

First, let’s get our celebrations in order. WorldPride—the global celebration—kicks off on June 26 with an Opening Ceremony at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Then, after several days packed with gay festivities, the New York City Pride March proper starts on June 30 at noon. The march—watching, that is (more on marching below)—is free and open to everyone. It begins at Madison Square Park, then flows south down 5th Avenue from 26th Street to 8th, then veers west and crosses 6th Avenue onto Christopher Street to pass by the Stonewall National Monument. The final leg swings north on 7th Avenue to pass the New York City AIDS Memorial and ends in Chelsea near 23rd Street.

Watching is great, but how do I march?

According to Heritage of Pride, the organization that produces NYC Pride, participation in the march requires being registered with a group. Alas, registration’s been closed for some time now—but there are groups that welcome new members. If you’re keen to march, or just looking to make some new friends, your best bet is to contact march-help@nycpride.org or 212-807-6327.

Photo by Walter Wlodarczyk/NYC & Company

How long does the March last?

There’ll be more than 115,000 marchers parading on, by, and between 100 floats. NYC’s Pride March is the biggest in the world, and this year’s edition promises to be even bigger in honor of Stonewall’s 50th anniversary. Organizers anticipate it’ll take almost two hours for participants to get from starting formation to dispersal at the end—last year, the final group didn’t break up until 9:30 PM. The fact that there’ll be more marchers this year will mean there are also longer timelines, so plan accordingly.

What do I need to bring? 

It’s going to be hot—New York City hot. Your best bet for finding a bit of shade will be to claim space on the west- or south-facing sides. Be sure to have plenty of water, sunscreen, and above all patience. Cash helps, too: The vendors along the route don’t take plastic. Other things to consider: comfortable shoes, a phone charger (you’ll be posting and sharing the hell out of this event), and a sense of appreciation. You’re here to celebrate, of course. But take a moment to soak in the history of the event and the reasons to celebrate Pride in the first place. The LGBTQ+ community has come a long way. And of course, there’s still so far to go.

 Is the March seating-accessible?

Yes. However, the free reserved seating for scooters, wheel chairs, and ASL interpreters at St. Vincent’s Triangle Park is currently sold out. Contact march-help@nycpride.org or call 212-807-6327 for more information.

What else do I need to know?

It’ll be crowded, with an estimated 4.5 million people in attendance. Sidewalks on Avenues are wider; stake your claim there to get a little more space. The Village—really, anywhere close to Stonewall—will be extra packed.

But don’t panic: portable bathrooms will be set up along the route.

The grand marshals for this year's Pride March are the cast of the FX show Pose; UK Black Pride activist Phyll Opoku-Gyimah; The Trevor Project; The Gay Liberation Front (the first LGBT activist group to arise shortly after the Stonewall Riots); and trans leader, activist, and creator of the Transgender Pride Flag, Monica Helms.

Also worth remembering: The party doesn’t stop when the march ends. WorldPride’s Closing Ceremony will take place post-march, from 7:00-10:00 PM in Times Square. The event is free but registration is required. Doors open at 5:00 PM.