NYC Pride Parade - June 29, 2025

NEW YORK, NY — A sea of vibrant colors and defiant spirit surged down Fifth Avenue on Sunday, June 29, 2025, as the NYC Pride March returned with a resounding call to action under the theme: “Rise Up: Pride in Protest.”

Honoring the movement’s origins in the 1969 Stonewall Uprising, this year’s march was a powerful blend of celebratory spectacle and political resolve. Thousands of marchers and millions of spectators lined the route from Midtown, down to Greenwich Village, marking the annual event as a massive demonstration of visibility and resilience.

A March Born from Resistance Against a backdrop of increasing legislative challenges across the country, the theme "Rise Up: Pride in Protest" served as a deliberate reminder that Pride is, at its core, a civil rights demonstration. Floats were colorful, but banners often carried pointed political messages, calling for the protection of transgender rights, increased support for LGBTQIA+ youth, and a pushback against discrimination.

The procession was led by a distinguished slate of Grand Marshals, including the barrier-breaking White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, New York City Council Member Elisa Crespo, and prominent trans advocate and educator group Trans formative Schools. Their presence set a tone of powerful, intersectional activism for the day.

Scenes of Solidarity and Joy Despite the serious undercurrent of protest, the atmosphere was overwhelmingly one of love and solidarity. Families, local non-profits, international organizations, and grassroots activists marched alongside one another, greeted by thunderous applause from the sidewalks.

• Restoring the Legacy: The route concluded in the historic Greenwich Village, passing the Stonewall National Monument, where the crowd’s energy reached its peak.

• PrideFest Thrills: The celebration continued immediately following the march with PrideFest, the massive street fair in the Village, offering vendors, food, and live entertainment that kept the festive spirit alive.

While the vast majority of the day was peaceful and joyous, a separate late-night incident involving gunfire occurred blocks from the Stonewall Inn as celebrations were winding down. Police emphasized that the incident, which injured two teenagers, was isolated and not a targeted hate crime related to the Pride event.

The 2025 NYC Pride March reinforced its dual identity: a joyful celebration of identity and a fierce, necessary protest for equality—a commitment to "Rise Up" that promises to define the community's activism for the year ahead.