Boston Pride Parade 2019: What To Know

BOSTON — Boston's 49th annual Pride Parade kicks off Saturday, June 8, at noon in Copley Square and winds through the South End before ending with a festival at City Hall Plaza. Last year, more than 55,000 people marched in the parade and some 750,000 people came out to watch, according to organizers. This year, they expect even larger crowds.

The parade is just one part of the annual Pride Week, which Boston kicked off May 31 with the raising of the Pride flag at City Hall. There will also be block parties on June 9 and Pride Night at Fenway Park on June 11.

This year's theme is "Looking Back, Loving Forward," with a nod to the 1969 Stonewall riots.
The Stonewall riots was a series of violent demonstrations by members of the gay community in response to a police raid at the Stonewall Inn in the Greenwich Village. They are considered a key event leading to the modern fight for LGBT rights in the country.

"[The theme] acknowledges the people and Pride groups who have come before us who have helped us strengthen our community," said Linda DeMarco, president of Boston Pride, in a statement. "The fight for our rights must continue as well as fighting for our ability to love ourselves and each other freely without fear of hate or persecution."

The parade's Grand Marshal is Dale Mitchell, founder of the LGBT Aging Project.

NBC10 Boston, Telemundo Boston and NECN will air special programming, participate in Pride events and report on the latest news about Boston Pride Week, Boston Pride Week organizers announced.

Boston Pride, an all-volunteer organization, has worked for the past 49 years with the goal of supporting programming that includes the local LGBTQ community.

2019 Boston Pride Parade

When: Saturday, June 8, at noon

START: Copley Square at noon
FINISH: Boston City Hall Plaza

The Route

Start at Boylston St and Clarendon St
Turn right onto Clarendon St
Turn left onto Tremont St
Turn left onto Berkeley St
Turn right onto Boylston St
Turn left onto Charles St
Turn right onto Beacon St
Turn left onto Tremont St
Arrival at City Hall Plaza on Cambridge St

How to get there

Take the T to Copley via the Green Line.

Parking is going to be extremely limited.

RELATED:

• Boston Announces 2019 Pride Theme and Parade Marshals
• 2018 Boston Pride Parade [Photos, Video]
• 1989 Billboard Returns To W Village In Honor Of Stonewall Riots
• LGBT Pride: How a Struggle Became a Celebration
• Mayor Marty Walsh Weighs In On Proposed 'Straight Pride Parade'

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).