Pride Month 2022: 35+ Events, Happenings & Specials Across NYC
June is Pride Month: a time to celebrate, honor and advocate for the diverse queer community -- in New York City and beyond.
Claire Leaden - Editor
With NYC being the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement, the city goes all-out for Pride! All month long there are tons of Pride events and happenings in NYC, from outdoor concerts and plays, to educational art installations, to food specials that give back to non-profit organizations centering the queer community, to of course, the iconic Pride March (back fully in person this year).
We’ve done our best to round up as many Pride events as we could find in NYC, but please feel to email us at hello@secretnyc.co with any other additions!
And of course, Happy Pride.
Marches, Concerts & Celebrations
1. The NYC Pride March
Where: NYC Pride March begins at 25th St. and 5th Ave & ends in Chelsea at 16th St. and 7th Ave; the march will also be broadcast on WABC-TV, ABC7NY.com and ABC News Live.
What: NYC’s main Pride event — the March through Manhattan — is finally back in full force this year! The March will take place on Sunday, June 26 following its traditional route and will include a broadcast special on ABC-7. This year’s theme is “Unapologetically Us,” and is the march’s way of acknowledging the struggle and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community as the world recovers from a pandemic. Read more here.
2. PrideFest
Where: On 4th Ave between East 8th St. & East 13th St.
What: This annual LGBTQI+ Street Fair is back in person, with tons of participating vendors. Taking place Sunday, June 26 at 11 a.m., you’ll get to enjoy music, food and free Pride gear as you walk through Greenwich Village. There’s also a FamilyFest community gathering experience that will be located at Astor Plaza. Find out more here.
3. Pride Island
Where: Play Lawn on Governors Island
What: Pride Island is NYC’s high-energy Pride celebration with all the music and dancing you could want (AKA: Pride’s musical festival!). This year it will return on both Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 in a new location on Governors Island. Lil’ Kim headlines the Saturday Pride Island lineup, joining Shenseea, Netta, Raye, and Papi Juice. Read more here.
You can find the full range of events from NYC Pride here.
4. Queer Liberation March
Where: Starting in Foley Square
What: The fourth annual Queer Liberation March, which is “a coalition of organizations & individuals fighting to reclaim the legacy of Stonewall in NYC,” will gather at Foley Square on Pride Sunday, June 26 at 3 p.m. This year it will be titled “The Queer Liberation March for Trans and BIPOC Freedom, Reproductive Justice, and Bodily Autonomy.” More info here.
5. Pre-Pride burlesque show at Hotel Chantelle
Where: 92 Ludlow St.
What: Have your cake and eat it too this LGBTQ+ Pride month at Hotel Chantelle with the infamous Pre-Pride Party! Enjoy a fabulous evening of burlesque and variety in the company of NYC’s most notorious nightlife performers (who have previously delighted venues such as The Box, House of Yes, Duane Park, The Slipper Room, etc). Fever tickets include a lavish two-course meal per person, but vodka/sodas, cosmos, other cocktails and additional food can be purchased on site. Get them here!
6-10. Bronx Pride Week & LGBT Expo
Where: 2134 Barnes Ave, Bronx
What: Bronx LGBT Center “Destination Tomorrow” will host the annual Bronx Pride Week & LGBT Expo from June 14-18 this year. Here’s just a taste of what to expect:
- June 14, Our Gaze LGBTQ+ Short Films Screening from 6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m. at 448 East 149th Street Bronx, New York
- June 15, the Bronx Borough President Annual Pride from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m., at Rosa’s At Park Restaurant
- June 16, the Bronx LGBT Expo from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. with a tribute to Jose Ramon, founder and creator of The Bronx LGBTQ Expo and The White Shirt Project from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. at the Bronx Museum of the Arts
- June 17, a pre-Juneteenth, inter-generational cookout at 2:00 p.m. in Crotona Park (located at N and Prospect Ave)
- June 18, the Bronx Pride Week Festival from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. at Westchester Ave. between Brook Ave. and Bergen Ave.
11-14. Summer for the City at Lincoln Center
Where: Lincoln Center campus, located at 150 West 65th St.
What: Lincoln Center is bringing back its rainbow stairs in a symbolic portrayal of Pride colors, plus there’s also a ton of special events highlighting LGBTQ performers. Head to their giant dance floor “The Oasis” for:
- A special tribute to Paradise Garage
- a Mini Kiki Ball competition
- And an ULTRA PRIDE dance party celebrating ’90s club culture.
- They’re also partnering with National Queer Theater for the return of the international Criminal Queerness Festival, bringing “three nights of new plays by East African LGBTQIA+ writers fighting criminalization through their art.”
15. NYC Opera Outdoor Concert at Bryant Park
Where: Bryant Park, between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues, Midtown
What: On Friday, June 17 at 7 p.m., Bryant Park’s “Picnic Performances” will continue with a special LGBTQ Pride Concert from the New York City Opera. A diverse program of selections from opera and musical theater will be sung by a quartet of stars from City Opera’s Pride Series. Tickets are not required this year. More details here.
16-20. Pride in Times Square
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Where: 7th Ave, 45th-48th Sts.
What: Times Square is celebrating Pride Month with a whole month-long schedule of fantastic events. Expect top-stage and screen celebrities, LGBTQIA+ non-profit organizations, Broadway/Off-Broadway productions, local Times Square business promotions, an AR Rainbow above 7th Avenue, and a Big Broadway Disco Party in the street. Here are some highlights:
- PRIDE 365: LIVE!
- Friday June 24: Community Pride Day
- Saturday June 25: Broadway Pride Day
- THE BIG BROADWAY DISCO – a large-scale street party that invites revelers to dance through Times Square to classic and contemporary Broadway songs and performances. Saturday, June 25 beginning at 6 p.m.
- PLAYBILL PRIDE PIANO BAR (dates & times to be announced)
- INTERACTIVE PRIDE DOUBLE DECKER BUS INSTALLATIONS (6/24 & 25)
- THE BROADWAY GRAND GALLERY: PRIDE EDITION (the Playbill monoliths will get a Pride makeover for June 1 through 15th)
21. Love Above All Ball at Rockefeller Center
Where: Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor
What: Rockefeller Center’s Love Above All Ball is back and better than ever, kicking off on Pride weekend. The black tie event benefits Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, a non-profit that raises funds for social programs across the country — and features headliners Oliver Sim from The xx, Alex Newell, and DJ Mazurbate as well as performers Jinkx Monsoon, Honey Davenport, and House of Yes. Treat yourself to tickets here.
22. Juneteenth Queer Comedy Celebration by Blacklight
Where: Harlem Comedy, 508 East 117th St.
What: On Saturday, June 18 at 9:30 p.m at Harlem Comedy the BlackLight Community is presenting the Juneteenth Queer Comedy Celebration. “Providing a reputable stage for Black queer artists to showcase their best work and dope music to bop to, the Juneteenth Queer Comedy Celebration invites audiences to enjoy good vibes, the best laughs, and incredible drinks with no minimum.” Tickets are $15 and must be purchased ahead of time here.
Food & Drink
23. Another Queer Brunch: Fundraiser for Queer Food Foundation
Where: Llama Inn, 50 Withers St., Brooklyn
What: The Queer Food Foundation and Brooklyn’s Llama Inn are teaming up on a very queer fundraiser BRUNCH! Celebrate Pride on Williamsburg’s best rooftop with modern Peruvian food, cocktails, ceviche demo, queer trivia, and silent auction. Grab your tickets here.
24. Pride rainbow cocktails at Café-Flor/Bar-21
Where: 218 8th Ave
What: Met Gala producer/designer Raúl Àvila recently opened Café-Flor which operates as Bar-21 from 2 p.m. into the evening, featuring top-notch cocktails within a decadent Queer/POC friendly atmosphere (from staff to patrons). This month, there will be a selection of cocktails with an array of flavors, each corresponding with the colors of the Pride Flag, plus a handcrafted floral pride wall along the building perfect for photo-ops.
25. Pride Margarita at Rosa Mexicano
Where: See NYC locations here
What: Grab a colorful frozen margarita topped with rainbow candy at all Rosa Mexicano locations through the month of June. Costing $14 by the glass or $56 by the pitcher, proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project.
26. Rainbow Strawberry Taro Milk Tea at Gong cha
Where: See all NYC locations here
What: For the month of June, $1 of every purchase of Gong cha’s special Rainbow Strawberry Taro Milk Tea will directly benefit LGBTQ+ organizations in name of #Equalitea, including: It Gets Better, National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA), and The Trevor Project. Gong cha’s special Pride drink is a colorful concoction featuring Taro, Strawberry puree, Gong cha’s signature milk foam and topped with rainbow sprinkles. The limited time promotion will run June 1 through June 30.
27. Pride Frosé at Stella 34 Trattoria
Where: 151 W 34th St.
What: A portion of proceeds from Pride Frosé sales will be donated to the Translatinx Network at Stella 34 Trattoria through the month of June.
28. Pride ‘N True Dairy Dip at Mister Dips
Where: Pier 17, 89 South St.
What: To celebrate Pride, comfort food favorite Mister Dips introduced the “Pride N’ True Dairy Dip,” its seasonal soft serve “cone of the month” composed of vanilla custard, cake batter, and all the colors of the rainbow, which will be available through the end of June. Proceeds from the sale of each cone will support The Trevor Project.
29. LGBTQ Pride Sundae at Serendipity3
Where: 225 E 60th St.
What: Iconic NYC restaurant, Serendipity3, unveiled their new “LGBTQ Pride Sundae” — available throughout the month of June for $27.95 with 10% of the proceeds going towards The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative. Expect a bright and colorful 5 layer slice of rainbow cake, colors reflective of the diversity of the LGBTQ community, 3 scoops of Serendipity Brands Cookies & Cream ice cream, topped with decadent white chocolate fudge sauce, a mountain of whipped cream, rainbow sprinkles, a Pride flag, rainbow lollipop and a cherry.
Art Installations
30. Radiance at Brookfield Place
Where: 230 Vesey St, New York
What: Brookfield Place’s colorful art installation Radiance has returned this June. Find it brightening up the Winter Garden. Visitors are encouraged to share their Pride on social media with a photo of the installation, tagging @BFPLNY. Those who do so can win a prize when they show the post to the concierge so long a supplies last. Find out more here.
31. Progress Pride Flag Steps At Four Freedoms Park
Where: 1 FDR Four Freedoms Park
What: Even though cherry blossom season is over, there are still plenty of reasons to take the tram over to Roosevelt Island and explore all that pocket of the city has to offer. For example, this month, NYC’s largest Progress Pride flag has been painted across the steps in Four Freedoms Park. Head over and be sure to snap tons of pics and spark up inclusive conversations while you marvel at the 100×30 flag. Read more here.
32. Pride Flags At Rockefeller Center
Where: 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York
What: Throughout the month, Rockefeller Center will be introducing tons of Pride installations across the campus. Expect rainbow pathways, flying flags and so much more. Surrounding retailers are also taking part in the celebrations with limited-edition items and charitable donations. Find out more here.
33. Industry City, Brooklyn
Where: 220 36th St, Brooklyn
What: Industry City is known for their ever-changing gorgeous installation outside and this month it has transformed into a rainbow of florals!
34. Oscar Wilde, NoMad
Where: 45 W 27th St, New York
What: This restaurant truly went all out for Pride Month! Stop by Oscar Wilde for a drink and a spectacular display of rainbow drapery and colorful flowers that climb up the building’s front. Celebrate everyone’s authenticity because just as Oscar Wilde had said, “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.”
Tours & More
35. Pride Month at RiseNY
NYC’s spectacular part museum-part thrilling flight ride RiseNY is partnering with the Ali Forney Center for Pride Month. $1 from every ticket purchased for June 24, 25 or 26 will be donated to the nonprofit that provides shelter and healthcare services for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness in New York City. Buy them here!
36. Self-Guided Pride Tours of NYC with the NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project
Where: Various parts of NYC; see full map here.
What: The NYC LGBT Historic Sites Project has painstakingly created a user-friendly map containing hundreds of sites across NYC important to LGBTQ history. Choose from categories like “Transgender History,” “Gay-Owned Businesses,” “Communities of Color,” and “Activism Outside of Manhattan.” Find them here.
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37. LES LGBTQ+ Book Crawl
Where: Various participating bookstores, see full list here.
What: Last year the LES held its first annual book crawl highlighting five of the neighborhood’s indie bookstores to celebrate their diversity and resilience, and since then we’ve been waiting for it to make its return. Well, book lovers rejoice because the LES Book Crawl is returning on Saturday, June 11 and it’s filled with incredible discounts, free drinks, and awesome giveaways. Read more here.
38. Learning the History of Queens Pride with NYC Parks
Where: Meet at 34th Avenue between 77th and 78th St. in Travers Park, Queens
What: On Saturday, June 11 at 1 p.m., join NYC Park’s Urban Park Rangers on a walking tour of the Queens Pride Parade route, discussing its history along with the neighborhood of Jackson Heights and Queens’ LGBTQ+ community. Register here.
39. Pride Birding with NYC Parks
Where: Van Cortlandt Nature Center in Van Cortlandt Park, The Bronx
What: Celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month with the Urban Park Rangers on Sunday, June 26 at 1 p.m. On this fun and inclusive adventure, enjoy a hike about all things birding, including searching for birds featuring the colors of the LGBTQ+ pride flag. All friends and allies are welcome. Read more here.
40. Get groovy at Flipper’s Rainbow Pop Skate with MAC
Where: 600 5th Ave, New York
What: Join triple-threat queen, Jan Sport, for Flipper’s Rainbow Pop Skate event with MAC and enjoy a night of exhilarating performances taking over the roller rink! Get MAC makeup touch-ups after skating up a sweat and be sure to sport your best Pride fit. Performances will occur at 7:30pm, 8:30pm and 9:30pm on Wednesday, June 29nd. Find more info here.