10 Ways to Celebrate Pride in New York City

June 3, 2025 Paolasinis No Comments Blog

Get a Drink at Julius’

Julius’ became closely connected with the LGBTQ+ community on April 21, 1966. On this date, members of the Mattachine Society organized a “Sip-In” at Julius’, challenging the New York State Liquor Authority’s law, which said bars couldn’t serve drinks to known or suspected gay men or lesbians. When Dick Leitsch, Craig Rodwell, and John Timmons were not served at Julius’s, the New York Times and the Village Voice ran the story. This prompted a change of policy and the birth of a more open gay bar culture. Julius’ was listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places December 2015.

Visit the Cathedral of St. John the Divine

The Cathedral of St. John the Divine welcomes all people within its walls to worship. They are hosting “Iconic Pride” events throughout the month, and the cathedral will be lit with beautiful rainbow pride lights, that for the first time this year, will include the colors of the transgender pride flag.

6/10: Author Dan McClellan and Very Reverend Patrick Malloy discuss “The Bible says So: What We Get Right (and Wrong) About Scripture’s Most Controversial Issues.”
6/14: Pride Family Picnic
6/20 Unapologetic: Queer Black Love
6/28: Gay & Sober Welcome Meeting
6/29: Pride Evensong

Visit the Alice Austen House

Alice Austen was born in 1866 and became one of history’s first female photographers.She is also said to have been the first woman in Staten Island to own a car. She was also in a committed romantic relationship with Gertrude Tate. Today, her Staten Island home is considered an important LGBTQ+ site. You can visit, and learn more about Alice Austen’s remarkable life.

Grab a Milkshake at Ellen’s Stardust Diner

You may know it as the restaurant with the extremely talented singing waiters. If you’re a theatre fan, Ellen’s Stardust Diner is an absolute must-see. For June, they offer a special (and delicious!)rainbow pride milkshake, you MUST try!

Ellen’s Stardust Diner is also very close to the Welcome to Times Square billboard! You can make yourself a NYC star by putting a photo or video of your choice on a giant Times Square billboard for 24 hours. It costs just $150 to be on a Times Square billboard with welcometotimessquare.com

Take a trip to the Library

A trip to the New York Public Library’s Schwarzman Building is always a pleasure. Throughout June, there will be various planned Pride events, hosted by NYPL, at their locations throughout the city. Here are two notable ones offered at the Schwarzman Building (next to Bryant Park and near the Welcome to Times Square billboard.)

6/13: The Library After Hours: Pride

6/18: “Super Gay Poems” with Stephanie Burt

Take a Tour with Christopher Street Tours

Pride month is an excellent time to learn more about LGBTQ+ history. Taking a tour is one of the best ways to learn history while walking in the footsteps of history makers. Christopher Street Tours offers daily experiences in Greenwich Village, the area many consider to be the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ Pride movement. Each group is kept small, so you can ask questions and have you very best experience. Book at christopherstreettours.com

Visit The Stonewall National Monument

Many credit NYC’s Stonewall Inn as the birthplace of the modern day Pride movement. Between June 28-July 3, 1969, the local community took the unusual action of fighting back during a routine raid at Stonewall. In 1999 Stonewall became the first LGBTQ+ site to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, you can enter Stonewall Inn and have a drink, visit the museum next door, (a very meaningful experience), and visit The Stonewall National Monument just outside. If you only visit one LGBTQ+ site, this may just be the most powerful.

Join the NYC Pride March

NYC’S Pride March is the crown jewel in NYC’s Pride celebrations. The NYC Pride March is among the largest LGBTQIA+ civil rights demonstrations in the world. It began as an annual commemoration of the infamous 1969 Stonewall Riots, and has become a global symbol of LGBTQ+ resilience, unity, and activism. Manhattan’s Pride March is the original, and will take place June 29th, but in NYC, each borough presents their own unique Pride March.

Pride March Dates

Staten Island Pride: May 31st
Queens Pride: June 1st
Brooklyn Pride: June 14th
Bronx Pride: June 21st
Manhattan Pride: June 29th

Appear on the Welcome to Times Square Billboard

Perhaps the best way to showcase your Pride is to put it up in lights at the crossroads of the world. Did you know you can appear on a Times Square billboard for 24 hours? How much does it cost to appear on a Times Square billboard? Just $150 for a full day! Learn more with welcometotimessquare.com

Dog-friendly Pride event

Looking to celebrate Pride with your furry friends? Check out “Drag Me to the Museum” at the AKC Museum of the Dog. This dog-friendly Pride Brunch takes place June 22, 11am. There will even be a dog red carpet. Costumes and gowns are encouraged for both humans and dogs.