Celebrate Pride Month In New York State

Pride Month is an exciting time in New York State. Though this was not always the case. June was chosen as Pride Month in memory of the Stonewall riots, during which members of the LGBTQIA+ community protested a police raid that took place at the Stonewall Inn in New York City on June 28, 1969. On the one-year anniversary of the Stonewall riots in 1970, the first-ever Pride march was held in New York City. But now, hopefully going forward too, Pride month is a celebration of how far we have come.

The New York State Pride theme for 2023 is Strenght In Solidarity and is complemented by the New York City Pride theme of Unapologetically Us. Both themes acknowledge the continued struggle and the ongoing resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community.

Honoring Pride is about more than displaying rainbow flags, marching in parades, or even purchasing Pride-themed merchandise. One important aspect of Pride is the participation of those in the community who do not identify as queer or LGBTQIA+ but stand shoulder-to-shoulder with others in the struggle for equality and inclusion for all. These people can be called allies, advocates, or even accomplices. So pride month is a celebration of all peoples.

NYC Pride (New York City)

The NYC Pride March is back for its 53rd year and it'll be hosted by a slew of celebrity Grand Marshals including Saturday Night Live’s Punkie Johnson. The parade kicks off at noon at 25th Street and 5th Avenue. And NYC PrideFest, the LGBTQ street fair, is back and not to be missed! Stop by 4th Avenue between 13th and 9th Streets in Manhattan for musical performances, entertainers, food, activities, and Pride gear from unique vendors. Lots of NYC Pride events are taking place in the days leading up to and following the Pride March and PrideFest. Events range from a circuit party to a symposium to a Broadway Sings concert honoring Taylor Swift. Be sure to check out all that's going on and start planning your NYC Pride adventures now!

Sunday, June 25, PrideFest at 11 AM, Parade at noon, free

Stonewall National Monument (NYC)

In the heart of Greenwich Village in Christopher Park, visitors can find the Stonewall National Monument, commemorating the events of the Stonewall Uprising of June 28, 1969 and the birth of the modern day LGBTQ civil rights movement that stemmed from there. Make sure to stop for a drink at the Stonewall Inn, the still-operating LGBTQ bar right across the street from the monument.

WNY Pride (Greater Niagara)

There are some month long events to raise funds and awareness for the LGBTQIA+ community while having fun. These events are fun for all ages and hopefully will become annual events. Like the WNY Pride5k. This is a virtual 5k run or walk. You can do this anywhere you please. 

Then there is the WNY Shopping with Pride. This is a step to promote LGBTQIA+ owned businesses.

June 1-30: fundraising. Prarade on June 4, 2023 at 11 AM

Binghamton Pride (Central New York)

Pride Month 2023 in Binghamton begins with a ceremonial flag raising by Mayor Jared Kraham on Saturday, June 4 at noon. Pride Palooza this year will be held in Otsiningo Park. Bring your own picnic blankets or lawn chairs, and a to-go lunch from home or a nearby restaurant to enjoy while listening to live entertainment. Local food vendors will also be at the venue. Don’t miss the drag show and The Binghamton Pride Idol Contest. 

June 3-25

Rockland Pride Sunday (Hudson Valley)

Celebrate Rockland Pride with a day of music, dancing, and fun for the whole family. Downtown Nyack will close its streets to traffic to allow for strolling, shopping, and dining. For the kids, there’ll be face painting, bounce houses, and a picnic area with arts and crafts. Live performances by Frankie D and The Boys and other special guests will provide your live soundtrack. Don’t miss the crowning of Mx. Rockland County Pride! Youth Pride Extravaganza, for middle- and high-school-age students, will take place at the Pride Center at noon. 

June 11,11-5 PM, free

Black & Latin@ Gay Pride (Capital-Saratoga)

Join In Our Own Voices at their 17th Annual Say It Loud! Black & Latino Gay Pride Celebration. Black & Latin@ Gay Pride is an opportunity to celebrate the vibrance and contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer + People of Color in the Capital Region. The main celebration is at Washington Park in Albany. The event will feature performances from London Jae Precise, Aja, Jewel the Gem, and many more. 

Main event, June 10, 12-5 PM, free

Capital Pride 2023 (Capital-Saratoga)

A signature Capital Region event returns for 2023 with the Capital Pride Parade & Festival, one of the largest Pride celebrations in the Northeast. The parade kicks off on State Street at noon, followed by a festival in historic Washington Park featuring live music, theatrical performances, and Albany’s Annual Drag Revue. Capital Pride events are happening throughout the month of June, starting with a flag raising ceremony on June 1 at Albany City Hall and a Pride Kick-Off Block Party next to Waterworks Pub and Rocks. 

Main event, June 10, 3-7:30 PM, free

Long Island Pride (Long Island)

Long Island Pride is back and happening in a brand new location! For the first time ever, the event will be held in the Village of Farmingdale, and thousands of revelers are expected to fill Main Street, where the festivities will take place. The day-long celebration will include concerts and a festival with vendors, dancing, live performances, and plenty of food and drinks. The 33rd annual Pride Parade is back in full swing and fully in person for the first time since 2019. 

June 11, 12-6 PM, free

Celebrate Pride with Rockwell (Finger Lakes)

Celebrate Pride with The Rockwell Museum during the month of June. Participate in the Corning and worldwide celebration of the LGBTQ+ community by engaging with art and arts experiences in various ways. The Rockwell is offering the some activities in June like

Free Museum Admission. Receive a free Pride Admission Fan by attending the Corning Car Pride Parade on Saturday, June 12. Just show your Pride fan at the front desk for free admission.

June 1-30, 9 AM- 7 PM

Catskills Pride Celebration + Callicoon (Catskills)

All of Callicoon is coming together for Catskills Pride 2023. Entertainment will take place at several venues and local businesses will offer special food, drinks, and activities. Look for Callicoon Wine Merchant’s Prosecco bar, and charcuterie boxes from Spruce Home Goods. Then party like it’s prom night at The Callicoon Marketplace, whose merchants are coming together to provide 1970s dresses and tuxedos, and photo booths to capture you in those stylish threads. Callicoon Theater will feature LGBTQIA+ films and programming all day long. There’ll also be an event to honor the 20th anniversary of the Day to be Gay Foundation, a non-profit founded locally to support LGBTQIA+ youth. 

The entire hamlet will be visually transformed by a professional event designer who is curating it with a Pride aesthetic. The focal point of events is Celebration Station, connecting Upper Main to Lower Main Street activities. This is where attendees can regroup and grab some shade, water, and snacks. The Catskills Pride afterparty will take place at the Delaware Youth Center from 8-11:30 PM. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 at the door. All ages are welcome. 

2023 Pride BBQ, June 17, 3-6 PM, $25, Forestburgh Playhouse

Watertown Pride (Thousand Islands)

Celebrate Pride in the Thousand Islands all weekend long and beyond! Events kick off Friday at the historic Paddock Arcade, with The Paddock Club supplying food and drink specials. Then check out drag show performances at Savory Downtown. Get an early start on Saturday with a flag raising at City Hall. The event begins at 9 AM but arrive early–this draws a crowd. Coffee and donuts will be on hand, compliments of Dunkin’. At noon, head to Thompson Park for a 5k Color Run and Festival. That evening, the entertainment comes to you when a traveling drag show travels from bar to bar, gracing each one with a 20-minute performance. Saturday’s events conclude with Pride Night Fireworks at Duffy Fairgrounds. On Sunday, wrap up Watertown Pride weekend with a Tea Dance at Garland City Beer Works, a local LGBTQIA+-owned brewery. 

Still in the mood to celebrate Pride in the Thousand Islands? Stick around for River Pride the following weekend, with celebrations taking place all along the St. Lawrence River in communities like Cape Vincent, Clayton, and Alexandria Bay. 

Main event, June 3, 11 AM-4PM, free

Rochester Pride (Finger Lakes)

After a two-year absence, the Rochester Pride Parade is back, thanks to the efforts of the ROC Pride Collective. Spectators should plan to watch beginning at 1 PM on Park Avenue. The parade ends at Cobb Hill Park, where the celebration of Pride and community continues with Pride Fest. There’ll be food trucks, wine and beer for sale, vendor tables, games and activities, and a designated play area for kids. Expect live music all day long, complete with surprise performances. It’s also the the 51-year anniversary of Rochester’s first organized Pride events. 

July 14, parade 1 PM, free with museum admission, festival 11-3 PM

Syracuse Mets Pride Night (Finger Lakes)

The Syracuse Mets will show their Pride at their annual Pride Night at NBT Bank Stadium. The first 500 fans to arrive at the game (against Scranton) will receive a Syracuse Mets Pride Jersey; a Pride flag goes to the first 1,000. Everyone at the ballpark is invited to take advantage of Dollar Thursday. Hofmann hot dogs, fountain beverages, and souvenirs will cost $1, and draft beers like Saranac and Labatt, as well as 1911 Hard Cider, will cost $2. A portion of the proceeds of tickets will go to CNY Pride. June 10, 11 AM-12 PM. Fans can take their seventh-inning stretch at the 315 Bullpen Bar, where DJ Joe Driscoll will be spinning tunes.

Saratoga Pride (Adirondacks)

Saratoga Springs will host a family friendly event to celebrate Pride Month. The Pride Drag Brunch will be held at PDT Catering and the Saratoga Pride festival continues soon after at High Rock Park. There will be live events and prizes for the whole family. The Pride After Party is at Solevo Kitchen & Social.

Main event, June 25, 2-5 PM