NYC Pride is officially underway, and while there are a bevy of events happening to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots (and plenty of historic sites to visit if you’re in town for Pride), the big shebang—the Pride March—happens on Sunday.
This year, the theme is “We Are Proud,” which the organizers say reflects the LGBTQ community’s “unwavering ability to rise and be proud, even while under attack by a hostile political environment.” The Grand Marshals this year are trans advocate and NYC firefighter Brooke Guinan; Gay Men’s Health Crisis activist Krishna Stone; the American Civil Liberties Union; and Chinese LGBT activist Geng Le.
And given the fact that last year’s march saw the largest crowds in the event’s history—with 32,000 marchers and more than 2 million spectators—it’s all but guaranteed that this year’s will also be a blowout.
So what do you need to know if you want to attend? The march, which begins at noon, will follow the same route as in years past. Crowds will form in Midtown around Fifth Avenue and 37th Street, and follow Fifth Avenue down to 8th Street, before turning west, following Christopher Street, and ending at Greenwich Street (where a huge street fair/celebration, Pridefest, will be happening).
Street closures have yet to be announced, but it’s safe to assume that driving—or taking the bus—in Midtown or the West Village will be a bad idea on Sunday.
If you still want to watch without being amid the crowds, the march will be broadcast live, from noon to 3 p.m., on ABC for the first time in the event’s history.
Sunday’s march will be preceded by the Dyke March on Saturday, which will begin at 5 p.m. on the north side of Bryant Park at 42nd Street and Sixth Avenue. The march then continues down Fifth Avenue until arriving at Washington Square Park.