2025 Philly Pride March And Festival: What To Know

PHILADELPHIA — The 2025 Philadelphia Pride March and Festival is all set for June 1 and promises perfomances, food, drink, and much more, all for free.

These are the main signature events to kick off June as Philly Gay Pride Month.

But the celebration is more than just those two events.

Pride Around The City

Pride Across the City kicks off on May 30 previewing and celebrating the community heading into Pride Weekend, Pride Month, and the March & Festival.

This year’s record-breaking 600-foot Philadelphia Pride Rainbow Flag will tour the city in at least three stops:

• 9 a.m. on the Museum of Art steps
• 11 a.m. Pride on Main Street: Main Street in Manayunk in partnership with Manayunk Develop.m.ent Corporation, Aversa PR and Philly Pride Month
• 2 p.m. City Hall Flag Raising (produced by Philadelphia’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs)
• 8 p.m. Gayborhood activation

Along the way, look for the flag also to stop at Cherry Street Pier, with a special unveiling by Visit Philly. All final street closures, maps, and times will be shared closer to the event

Pride Promenande And L.U.V. (Leagacy, Unity, Visibility) Awards

In collaboration with the Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philly Pride 365 presents its official opening-night spectacular, Pride Promenade & L.U.V. Awards, on Saturday, May 31 at 8 p.m. on the Museum’s grand staircase.

Step into the prom you always dreamed of—red-carpet glamour hosted by Josh Sanders and Candiace, live performances by Nes (Be You Talent Winner), and the debut of the L.U.V. Awards honoring:

• Legacy Award — Jasper Liem & Chris Bartlett
• Unity Award — John Jarboe & The Bike Stop
• Visibility Award — Dawn Richard

At 9:30 p.m., the party really kicks off with DJ Sunryze spinning the ultimate dance-party soundtrack until 11 p.m.

Tickets for this 21 and older event are available exclusively via Sickening Events, with general admission (doors at 7:30 p.m) or VIP (early entry at 7 p.m. with an exclusive reception in the West Portico) options.

Headlining Artists

Dawn Richard and Candiace Dillard Bassett are this year’s headlining acts.

Urban Affairs Coalition welcomes to the Muses Stage at Philly Pride 2025 "Be You," Sapphira Cristal. Sapphira will takd the stage at 6 p.m. on June 1.

Bassett projects her voice across every level of the culture. As a singer and songwriter, she has enraptured audiences with a sultry, slick, and sexy brand of R&B, reeling in millions of streams and earning critical acclaim. As an actress, she has widened her imprint by appearing in films for BET, Netflix, and more. As a beloved personality, she remains a fan favorite cast member of The Real Housewives of Potomac on Bravo. As an entrepreneur, she’s in charge of her brand and business, telling her story on her own terms. Candiace has maintained incredible momentum as she continues to write and record music and make notable appearances on film and television.

Richard, a multi-platinum artist and Guinness World Record holder from New Orleans, first rose to prominence with the chart-topping groups Danity Kane and Diddy-Dirty Money before embarking on a groundbreaking solo career defined by innovative, independent artistry. Beyond music, she is a fierce advocate for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ representation, championing equity and visibility across the entertainment and tech industries. Her activism spans Al, animation, vegan culture, and climate justice, where she works to amplify marginalized voices and dismantle systemic barriers. As Creative Director of Adult Swim, Artist Relations Director at Hip Hop Caucus, and owner of Papa Ted's vegan food truck, Dawn seamlessly merges creativity, advocacy, and sustainability. Overcoming homelessness after Hurricane Katrina, she has built a career rooted in resilience, empowerment, and radical inclusivity-leaving a lasting cultural impact.

The Pride March

The Pride March will form and organize at 6th and Walnut at 10:30 a.m. and end in the Philadelphia Gayborhood. The Annual Philadelphia Gay News Pride Brunch and Stonewall Awards Ceremony will convene at 11 a.m. at the Arts Ballroom and brunch attendees will exit to join the Pride Festival.

The route for the march is being finalized and will be shared in a future update. The march will be an open invitation to the LGBTQ+ community and allies, with no registration needed. While floats and vehicles will not be permitted, everyone is welcome to join before the march starts for speeches, music, and joy.

The march is an ode to the Reminder Day Demonstrations that were held in front of Independence Hall on Chestnut Street from 1965 until 1969 to raise awareness of bigotry, prejudice, and discrimination toward the LGBTQ+ community and to send the message that “Gay is good.” The 1972 Pride Day March concluded at the same spot 50 years ago.

The march will kick off with speeches from community leaders and guests and a land acknowledgment from the Lenape Tribe. Then, the march will proceed to the festival. Philly Pride 365 is adding to its legacy and some length to last year's record-breaking Pride Flag. Along the way, look for the giant 600 feet long record-breaking pride flag, increased from last year's record-breaking 400 feet, to be unveiled with help from dozens of community members and volunteers. This is the largest pride flag in Philadelphia history and aims to set the record for the biggest pride flag in Pennsylvania, again. The flag was produced for PhillyPride365 with the help of Field & Floor FX in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Pride Festival

Philly Pride 365, a program of UAC, brings together some of the city's top LGBTQ+ organizers to produce a dynamic festival, and one of the single largest outdoor festivals of the year in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Pride Festival will return from noon to 7 p.m. with an expanded footprint, making it one of the largest footprints ever for the city's top pride event. The festival footprint now stretches from Walnut to Pine and Quince to Juniper, bringing even more of the Gayborhood into the celebration. New official participants along Walnut Street include Hi-Lo Taco and Miss Saigon, alongside Philly AIDS Thrift at Giovanni’s Room and Mixto.

See full road closure and parking restriction information online here.

The festival will feature more than 200 small businesses that Philly Pride 365 has employed an equitable funding model to procure. In addition, there will be stages with performances, entertainers, artists, vendors, food trucks, community organizations, and local bars.

Within the larger festival, Philly Pride 365 has worked with community partners to build a variety of fun and vibrant spaces for everyone. The Youth & Family Zone at Watts & Spruce (Zone D) offers inclusive programming from noon to 3 p.m. (youth activities and the Youth Drag Show & Competition) and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. (all-ages cabaret and performances featuring the Be You Talent Competition finalists). This space is brought to life by The Attic Youth Center, Philadelphia Family Pride, and the Philadelphia Parks & Recreation Department.This space has no alcohol and smoke and will feature age-appropriate and safe youth and family programming to celebrate all generations of Philadelphia Pride.

This year’s festival levels up on-site dining by featuring Food Truck Way in every Entertainment Zone. Whether in Legacy, Unity, Visibility, Everyone, Relaxed, or SWEAT, attendees will find local vendors dishing out tacos, vegan delights, comfort classics, and more at wallet-friendly prices.

The Sensory Friendly Zone, open from noon to 4 p.m. at St. Luke and the Epiphany, remains a low-stimulus space for anyone who needs it. Equipped with ample seating, tables, accessible restrooms, and a wheelchair-charging area, this space features subdued lighting and gentle soundscapes. It’s designed for elders, folks living with disabilities, and anyone who needs a quiet moment of rest amid the Festival.

In the Pop Wellness Zones — found throughout each of the six Entertainment Zones — festival goers will find medical services, resources, and activities staffed by Action Wellness, Mazzoni Center, Courage Medicine, the Therapy Center of Philadelphia, and Bebashi.

Rather than one single “main” stage, the festival unfolds across six distinct Entertainment Zones — Legacy, Unity, Visibility, Everyone (Youth & Family), Relaxed, and Sweat — each with its own curated schedule of local performers, DJs, drag artists, and surprise guests. And for the first time, Legacy Lane art installations will snake through all six zones, so you can discover queer history wherever you wander.

Drinks by Zone

• Legacy, Unity, Visibility, Relaxed & Sweat Zones — Full bar service for 21 and older wrist-band holders (ID required). Drinks must be purchased and finished within each zone—no outside alcohol permitted. Bars close at 6 p.m.
• Everyone (Youth & Family) Zone — Completely alcohol and tobacco-free to keep things accessible and family-friendly.
• Sober Vibes Pop-Up — A dedicated sober space with resources for folks living sober or choosing a sober vibe. Nearby, a stage will run all-ages entertainment from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Headlining acts and featured producers for each zone will be announced soon.

The Philadelphia Pride Festival 2025 includes tabling opportunities for small businesses, community organizations, colleges, trade schools, and universities.

Festival Partners

UAC wishes to thank the following community organizations for their support and collaboration this year - please look for these organizations at the festival:

• Action Wellness
• Bebashi
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
• Colours Organization
• Mazzoni Center
• Philadelphia Family
• Philadelphia Fight
• Reproductive Medicine Associates
• Courage Medicine
• Philadelphia Gay News (PGN)
• Perez Therapy
• Disability Pride PA
• The Attic Youth Center
• Big Brother Big Sister Independence
• Philly Family Pride
• Human Right Campaign Pennsylvania
• The Bearded Ladies
• Therapy Center of Philadelphia
• William Way LGBT Community Center

Zone and Stage Overview (more to be announced)

Zone A – Visibility, Juniper and Locust streets, West Curb

• Visibility Stage, noon to 6 p.m.
  • Continuous DJ rotation DJ Yung Nila, DJ SunRyze, DJ Firestone, Riva & Bianca, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sway turns up the party Specialty acts like Tassle Time Warp appearing all day
  • 6p.m. Dawn Richard special set
• Woody’s Stage, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Separate DJ roster spinning the hottest dance beats all afternoon (full DJ list announced on socials)

Community spotlights and sponsor activations run throughout the zone.

Zone B – Unity, Stage at 12th and Walnut, North Curb

• Noon — DJ Giavacious (welcome set)
• 1 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. — Rotating live sets: Elijah Ahmad Lewis · Best Bear · Ari Voxx · Hit Like A Girl · Laura Cheadle & The Girls · Taína Asili (15–25 min each) with drag host Vinchelle between acts
• 6:15 p.m. — Candiace - Real Housewives of Potomac - TV Personality / Singer
• 6:45 p.m. — Unity Stage Finale

Zone C – Legacy, Stage at 12th and Spruce Streets, South Curb

• Noon to 3 p.m. — DJ Robert Drake – Pride classics
• 3 p.m. – 6 p.m. — DJ Carl Michaels – house/dance set

Zone D – Everyone (Youth and Family) – Cabaret Stage at Watts & Spruce St – West Curb

• 11 a.m.* — Tentative gentle yoga warm‑up
• noon to 2 p.m. — Kid‑friendly songs and entertainment with games, crafts, and bounce houses happening all around
• 2 p.m. to Youth Drag Show – presented by The Attic Youth Center · host Aura Lee
• 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. — Cabaret Set – co‑hosted by Aura Lee & Nes (Be You Talent winner)

Zone E — Relaxed, 13th and Pine streets, South Curb

• 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.: — DJ Firestone b2b DJ Hopifer
• 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.: — DJ Kraftwitch, Shaded area, chill‑vibes dance space, wellness vendors

Zone F — Sweat, 12th and Pine streets, West Curb

• Noon to 3 p.m. — The Main Event – high‑energy DJ & dance sets
• 3 p.m. tp 5 p.m. — Kiki Alley hosted by ballroom icon Jacen Bowman

Sports Team Activations

• Philly Falcons SC
• Philadelphia Union Soccer
• Philadelphia Liberty Tennis Association
• Philly Hawks AFL Club
• Philadelphia Rugby
• Philly Dodgeball

More teams will be announced.

Food, Vendors, and Marketplace

Food trucks and craft vendors are sprinkled throughout every zone in addition to expanded Vendor Marketplace areas and Food Truck Way on 13th Street south of Locust Street.

All schedules are subject to change; real‑time updates and any last‑minute additions will be posted via Quick Links on PhillyPride365 social channels.

Vendors

From food trucks, to artists, to community groups, to health organizations, to festival supporters - and everything in between, please stay tuned for a full list of vendors, food trucks, entertainment times, stage line-ups, and more coming the week of the event.

For more information on volunteering, participating, or sponsoring the festival, go online here, or contact organizers directly at Pride365@PhillyPride365.org.

Festival Sponsors

• Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
• Enterprise Mobility
• Thrive Flowers Cannabis
• IVI RMA/Repro
• Love City Brewing
• Malvern Health
• Putt Shack
• Avita Pharmacy
• Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region
• Camden Apothecary/Bell Rexall Pharmacy
• Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania
• Harmelin Media
• Green Mountain Energy
• NRG
• Ensemble Arts Philly
• Jefferson Health
• ViiV
• Philadelphia Dept. of Public Health's Philly Keep on Loving
• Human Rights Campaign
• Philly AIDS Thrift
• 210 South 12th
• SpotHERO
• CBS
• Courage Medicine
• Penn Medicine
• Top Dog Cocktails
• Athena
• Evil Genius Beer Company
• Gilead
• Philadelphia Union
• Kiddo
• The Tavern Group
• Bar X
• Woody’s
• Miss Saigon
• Hilo Taco
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Philadelphia Downtown/Center City
• TopView Sightseeing