To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in Washington, D.C., the Capital Pride Alliance is bringing the global reach and audience of WorldPride 2025 to the District of Columbia.

WorldPride DC 2025 will include concerts, events, screenings, programs, block parties, exhibitions, and parades with a focus on celebrating the history of the LGBTQ+ community while also imagining its future. "From music to film, from the National Mall to Embassy Row, you will experience the world through Washington's multi-faceted and multi-cultural community," an official press release states.

So, without further ado, let us guide you through the basics of WorldPride and catch you up on the latest updates for this 2025 edition in Washington, D.C.

A massive Pride flag is unfurled on the streets during a Pride Parade.

The official theme for WorldPride DC 2025 has been labeled "Fabric of Freedom." Official statements describe this theme as such:

"Throughout history, people have used fabrics as expressive symbols, to communicate identities, and as forms of resistance. While the LGBTQ+ community faces growing challenges both in the United States and worldwide from those seeking to divide rather than unite, it's the fabric of our community — through our rich cultures, diverse identities, and backgrounds — that will guide us forward towards a better future.

As Washington, D.C. hosts WorldPride in 2025 and commemorates 50 years, we will welcome visitors from around the world to celebrate our vibrant community and continue the fight for equality. Every one of us — new threads woven together — strengthen the fabric of our community, and of this global movement.

While the fabric of the LGBTQ+ Progress Pride flag symbolizes the diversity of our community, it is our shared humanity and unshakable unity that defines our greatest strength. We are people bound by love and acceptance, struggle and resilience, our past and our future, forging an ever-evolving community that together embodies the Fabric of Freedom."

Shakira performing at a live concert.

The official starting point of WorldPride DC 2025, known as the "Welcome Ceremony and Concert" and taking place at Nationals Park, faced a last-minute adjustment involving one of the biggest performers of the entire festival.

Global superstar Shakira was scheduled to bring her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour to Washington, D.C. on Saturday, May 31 as the official headliner for the "Welcome Concert" of WorldPride DC 2025. However, she ultimately canceled that performance citing "production issues," as reported by The Washington Post.

Nonetheless, the show must always go on, and this unforgettable celebration maintained its focus on showcasing the rich history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community not only in Washington, D.C., but also around the world.

The updated schedule of the Welcome Ceremony for WorldPride DC 2025 is the following:

WorldPride Welcome Party Benefiting Capital Cup At Berhta in NE DC

Capital Cup Sports Festival at various venues around the city (the action starts today!)

LIBERATION WKND at Black Cat

Glitter Ball Drag Show at Shaw’s Tavern

AIDS Memorial Quilt Display in Dupont Circle

Taste of Pride: Dupont Circle BID & 17th Street

PRISM at Anthem Row/ World Pride Exchange

Daryl Wilson Promotions: Sundaze Service Mega Day Party

This landmark celebration bringing WorldPride to Washington, D.C. will transform the fabulous Capital Pride Parade into the iconic WorldPride Parade, described as "emblematic of the historic Pride movement."

The 2025 WorldPride Parade will honor the rich history and acknowledge the fierce future of the LGBTQ+ neighborhoods in Washington, D.C. Moreover, the Parade is committed to respecting the origins of the Pride movement — reminding people of how important fighting for equal rights can be.

(L-R) Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, RuPaul

The largest LGBTQ+ music festival in history will take place on Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 — boasting some of the biggest acts and DJs from around the world. You check out the full lineup of the WorldPride DC 2025 music festival.

Courtesy of the Hamilton Hotel

Hamilton Hotel is the 2025 WorldPride Music Festival's official host hotel. Located at the intersection of 14th Street and K Street, the hotel is situated along the WorldPride Parade route. A special rate offered by the hotel includes drink tickets, welcome beverages, 24-hour gym access, and a late checkout.

On June 7, Hamilton Hotel will also throw a "WorldPride Parade Viewing Party," hosted by RuPaul's Drag Race legends Symone and Derrick Barry, at its restaurant named Via Sophia. The event is also scheduled to feature a "martini pop-up" and fashion competition with America's Next Top Model judge Nigel Barker.

More information is available on HamiltonHotelDC.com.

Gathering in front of the U.S. Capitol.

WorldPride will also feature the International March on Washington, D.C. — following in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr., Marian Anderson, and countless others who have fought for freedom and justice. Renowned LGBTQ+ activists and leaders from around the world will be present.

The march route will follow the grand avenues of Washington, D.C. for optimum visibility, and culminate at the U.S. Capitol.

Rainbow Progress Pride Flag in crosswalk.

Visitors will discover a new meaning for "Paint the World with Pride" as they arrive and discover the city's enthusiasm in decorating for Pride Month.

Paint the Town with Pride is a collective campaign encompassing Washington, D.C. and its surrounding regions that will help promote the colorful decoration of homes, businesses, and public spaces in honor of the LGBTQ+ community.

WorldPride attendees will have free access to a virtual map of this campaign that will highlight the inspiring and larger-than-life installations throughout the area.

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is lit up in rainbow colors.

The event known as Tapestry of Pride — meant to celebrate diversity and unity through artistic performances, exhibitions, and experiences for all ages — was canceled due to new oversight of The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Capital Pride Parade marchers.

The WorldPride Street Festival and Concert will be a free event taking place for two days over the weekend. It will take place on America's Main Street, a.k.a. the historic Pennsylvania Avenue.

This festival will feature hundreds of vibrant exhibitors, skilled artisans, delicious food, and beverage gardens. This will also be an expensive taking place on multiple stages and showcasing an array of multicultural and multilingual performers.

The WorldPride Film Festival is about gathering filmmakers from around the world and inviting them to come together in celebration of LGBTQ+ feature films and short films.

For three days, these various projects had screenings across different venues in Washington, D.C.

The Human Rights Conference at WorldPride DC 2025 will feature several guest speakers and allow guests to participate in workshops highlighting queer history, erasure/visibility, and issues that are impacting the world.

This edition of the Human Rights Conference was scheduled to take place at the JW Marriott, 1331 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.

Pride Parade marchers.

More than 30 years after the first D.C. Black Pride drew 800 people to Banneker Field for a day dubbed "Let's All Come Together," more than 300,000 members of the LGBTQ+ community of African descent and their allies have come to Washington, D.C. for Memorial Day Weekend to celebrate the beauty of a shared community, as well as raising awareness and funding for HIV/AIDS in the name and spirit of Black Pride.

The D.C. Black Pride event is produced every year by the Center for Black Equity.

DC Latinx Pride marchers.

WorldPride 2025 will also include D.C. Latinx Pride marches and events between Tuesday, June and Saturday, June 7.

The Advocate reported that the Kennedy Center canceled an "unofficial WorldPride concert" featuring the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, D.C. and the National Symphony Orchestra.

This particular event, titled "A Peacock Among Pigeons," had been officially canceled.

In case you didn't know, Washington, D.C. has one of the most extensive local networks of LGBTQ+ sports teams and leagues in the world. In other words, D.C. is the perfect place for WorldPride DC 2025 to host the inaugural Capital Cup Sports Festival in partnership with Team DC.

Overall, the Capital Cup Sports Festival is featuring activities such as basketball (3v3), bocce, corn hole, and darts. The festival — which is also inclusive of gaymers (e-sports) — features sports like diving (IGLA 2025), dodgeball, flag, football, golf, pickleball, road cycling, rock climbing, roller derby, rowing rugby (men's), rugby (women's), running (road and park), soccer, swimming (IGLA 2025), tennis, volleyball (sand and indoor), water polo (IGLA 2025), and wrestling.

Cynthia Erivo, Academy Award-winning actress of Wicked and a musician who's just released a brand-new album titled I Forgive You, is set to perform at the WorldPride 2025 post-parade show — a free event! — on Saturday, June 7.

That Saturday night concert headlined by Erivo will also include David Archuleta, CeCe Peniston, and Kristen W. in the lineup. The event will take place on the Street Festival + Concert Grounds located at 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Ave NW.

Date: Sunday, June 8.

Grammy Award-winning hip hop star Doechii is set to headline the Closing Concert of WorldPride 2025 happening on Sunday, June 8.

Doechii will be joined that night by artists like Khalid, Brooke Eden, 2AM Ricky, Parker Matthews, and MkX. This Closing Concert is also free to the public and will take place on the Street Festival + Concert Grounds, located at 3rd Street and Pennsylvania Ave NW.