GUIDE | What to know about the WorldPride 2025 Parade, Festival and Rally in DC

WASHINGTON (7News) — Thousands gathering for WorldPride will take the streets in D.C. on June 7 for a massive parade, following a route similar to the annual Capitol Pride Parade. It will end in downtown D.C. for the street festival and post-parade concert.

The following day, many will return to downtown D.C. to call for protections for the LGBTQ community.

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Here's everything you need to know:

PARADE ROUTE:

Much like the 2024 Capital Pride Parade, the route will not go through the Dupont Circle neighborhood. It will go through the Shaw, Logan Circle, Downtown, and Penn Quarter neighborhoods. Be prepared for stormy weather.

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The nearly 2-mile parade will kick off at around 2 p.m. from 1844 14th Street, Northwest, and continue along 14th Street past Thomas Circle Park. The parade will go around the circle before turning past Freedom Plaza, and concluding at 919 Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest.

The announcers' stand will be located near the beginning of the parade route, with the review stand located near Thomas Circle Park and another Grandstand near Freedom Plaza.

The parade will disband on Constitution Avenue from 9th to 14th streets, Northwest.

There will be seating areas for VIP ticket holders, families, and those with disabilities located along the route.

Tickets to the Grandstand and VIP viewing areas are already sold out. Those entering the accessibility seating will need to reserve a wristband (click here to get the reservations).

POST-PARADE PARTY AND FESTIVAL

After the Parade, expect performances from 4-7 p.m. from several musical artists, including CeCe Peniston, David Archuleta, Kristine W, and Wicked star Cynthia Erivo. Those will take place at the Capitol Concert Stage on 3rd Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, Northwest.

But to get to the stage, you'll need to go through the street festival, which will be lined with vendors and exhibitors along Pennsylvania Ave between 9th and 3rd Streets, NW. Exhibitors will be open from noon - 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

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There is a child-friendly area of the festival called Camp Pride, located at John Marshall Park, 400-488 C Street, Northwest. The area will be open from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, according to officials.

Officials said the area will host DIY craft and coloring sessions, alongside areas for kids to play classic camp games and lawn games.

Talent shows, sing-alongs, storytimes, and musical performances will also take place in this area. Visit the WorldPrideDC website (click here) for more details.

INTERNATIONAL RALLY AND MARCH ON WASHINGTON FOR FREEDOM

Sunday morning, June 8, thousands are expected to return to D.C. streets to march and rally for human rights and LGBTQ rights. Those seeking to attend are asked to register (click here).

The rally will begin at the Lincoln Memorial at 9:30 a.m. - though a National Trans Visibility March will assemble at 7:30 a.m. at the Human Rights Campaign Headquarters, 1640 Rhode Island Avenue, Northwest.

The parade will begin at around noon.

ROAD CLOSURES:

Vehicles will not be able to cross 14th Street between U Street, Northwest, and Independence Avenue, Southwest during the parade, though residents will still be about to access their homes if they live either east or west of 14th Street, according to D.C. Police.

Those who live between 16th and 14th streets, between U Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW, officers at 16th Street will be able to provide assistance.

Those who need to access the downtown area east of 14th Street, NW (City Center, Chinatown, and Capital One Arena) may enter from the east, officials said. These areas will experience intermittent traffic closures, and motorists should expect delays.

All road closures are being managed by the Metropolitan Police Department

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Friday, June 6, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. through Monday, June 9, 2025, at 6:00 a.m.:

• 17th Street from S Street to P Street, NW
• R Street, NW – 100 feet east and west of 17th Street, NW
• Corcoran Street, NW – 100 feet east and west of Corcoran Street, NW
• Q Street, NW – 100 feet east and west of 17th Street, NW
• Church Street, NW – 100 feet east and west of Church Street, NW
• P Street, NW – 100 feet east and west of P Street, NW

The following streets will be posted as Emergency No Parking on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from 4:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.:

• T Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• P Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• Massachusetts Avenue from 15th Street to Thomas Circle, NW (Eastbound lanes only)
• New York Avenue from 15th Street to 14th Street, NW
• H Street from 17th Street to 13th Street, NW
• G Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW
• F Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW
• Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street to 7th Street, NW
• Constitution Avenue from 17th Street to 15th Street, NW
• 17th Street from H Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 15th Street from U Street to Rhode Island Avenue, NW
• 15th Street from H Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
• 14th Street from U Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 13th Street from K Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 7th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Friday, June 6, 2025, from approximately 4:00 a.m. through Monday, June 9, 2025, at 6:00 a.m.:

• 17th Street from New Hampshire Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue, NW
• Corcoran Street from New Hampshire Avenue to 16th Street, NW
• Q Street from 18th Street to 16th Street, NW
• Church Street from 18th Street to 16th Street, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from approximately 9:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.:

• 15th Street from U Street to Massachusetts Avenue, NW
• T Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• Swann Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• S Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• R Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• Corcoran Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• Q Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• Church Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• P Street from 16th Street to 14th Street, NW
• O Street from 16th Street to 15th Street, NW

The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, June 7, 2025, from approximately 12:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.:

• Wallach Place from 14th Street to 13th Street, NW
• T Street from 14th Street to 13th Street, NW
• S Street from 14th Street to 13th Street, NW
• Riggs Road from 14th Street to 13th Street, NW
• R Street from 14th Street to 13th Street, NW
• Corcoran Street from 14th Street to 13th Street, NW
• Q Street from 14th Street to 13th Street, NW
• P Street from 14th Street to Logan Circle, NW
• Rhode Island Avenue from Scott Circle to Logan Circle, NW
• N Street from 15th Street to Vermont Avenue, NW
• Vermont Avenue from N Street to K Street, NW
• Massachusetts Avenue ramps to Thomas Circle from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW (Massachusetts Avenue will continue to flow east/west under Thomas Circle, NW)
• M Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW
• Green Court from 14th Street to Massachusetts Avenue, NW
• L Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW
• K Street from 17th Street to 13th Street, NW
• I Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW
• Zei Alley from 15th Street to 14th Street, NW
• H Street from 17th Street to 13th Street, NW
• New York Avenue from 15th Street to 9th Street, NW
• G Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW
• F Street from 15th Street to 13th Street, NW
• E Street from 15th Street to13th Street, NW
• D Street from 9th Street to 7th Street, NW
• Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street to 9th Street, NW
• Constitution Avenue from 15th Street to 9th Street, NW
• 15th Street from Rhode Island Avenue to Massachusetts Avenue, NW
• 14th Street from U Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW
• 13th Street from E Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
• 12th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW
• 12th Street Tunnel to include the I-395 northbound exit 3 toward 12th Street Expressway and the westbound I-395 exit 4B toward 12th Street, NW Downtown
• 11th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue to E Street, NW
• 10th Street from Constitution Avenue to E Street, NW

HOW TO GET AROUND

Metro and its Pride-themed vehicles will operate extended hours from June 6-8. The agency will continue 24-hour service on several bus routes.

To pay, Metro said one-way Metrorail fares range from $2.25 to $6.75 during the day, with costs reduced after 9:30 p.m. and on weekends. Metrobus fares are $2.25.

Metro will also offer unlimited trip passes for 1 day ($13.50), 3 days ($33.75), and 7 days ($60.75).

You can pay with a physical or virtual Metro SmarTrip card, or with a credit or debit card at the gate.

METRORAIL EXTENDED HOURS

• On Friday, June 6, Metro will close one hour later at 2 a.m.
• On Saturday, June 7, Metro will open one hour earlier at 6 a.m. and close one hour later at 2 a.m.
• On Sunday, June 8, Metro will open one hour earlier at 6 a.m. and close at midnight.

Metro also has a guide on its website for the nearest stations to WorldPride events around the city (click here).