When the Capital Pride Parade hits the streets on Saturday, it will be on a new route: a straight run down 14th Street NW, rather than the winding path through Logan and Dupont circles. It will also end with a new ticketed event: a tea dance with DJs and drag queens on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, home of Sunday’s Capital Pride Festival. The reason, says Ryan Bos, executive director of the Capital Pride Alliance, is that the organization is treating this year’s Pride as “a dress rehearsal for WorldPride,” the global gathering expected to draw 3 million people to Washington in June. of 2025.
The new parade route “offers a lot of great opportunities,” Bos says. “The roads are much wider, so there are fewer tree obstructions above and there will be opportunity to have larger floats. Maybe next year we will have some aircraft carriers.” Parade organizers are creating a viewing area at Thomas Circle and bringing back bleacher seating in a “grandstand” near Freedom Plaza, where the parade turns from 14th Street toward Pennsylvania Avenue. Organizers expect about 300 groups to participate and the parade to last about four hours once it begins at 3 p.m.
The parade has followed different paths over the years: The most recent change, in 2022, reversed the route entirely, changing the starting line from 21st and P streets NW to 14th and T. But it has also evolved with the times, once it ends. at Freedom Plaza or Thomas Circle before the growing number of restaurants and businesses (and LGBTQ residents) made it more attractive to redirect the march north on 14th toward U Street.
As the parade has grown, Bos says, “there has been some pressure to move the parade to Constitution Avenue, where the cherry blossom and Fourth of July parades take place. “We were a big proponent of the Pride parade being about community and neighborhoods, so it’s hugely important that it has a connection and is part of our community and our local fabric.”
That community will be on display Saturday, even if the parade is limited to 14th Street: The strip of bars on 17th Street between P and S streets will host a block party from noon to 10 p.m. with DJs and performances drag, and a drinks garden. which will allow visitors to drink on the street. Stead Park, on P Street, is home to the family area, with activities, games, a children’s play area and a drag story hour. Crowds won’t be able to watch the parade as usual, but it’s a place to play before the parade begins, or to head over after your favorite group has passed by.
And if you don’t like the new route, remember that it’s temporary: The route “will probably change in 2026,” Bos says. “In terms of getting all the way to 14th Street, it’s probably something the city doesn’t want to do permanently. “
Where to see the parade
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The reconfigured route means protesters will miss some of their favorite viewing spots, including Dupont Circle and the block party at 17th and P Streets. That could mean even more spectators trying to crowd restaurant patios, streets and sidewalks on the popular upper 14th Street, say, north of P. There are fewer restaurants and patios on the downtown 14th Street corridor, but this could also mean more sidewalk space, especially around Franklin Park and Freedom Plaza, or in front of the Ronald Reagan Building and the International Trade Center or the Waldorf Astoria Hotel along Pennsylvania Avenue.
A viewing area is being set up on the Thomas Circle greenbelt, with tickets available by donation ($5 or $10), while the official grandstand is in Freedom Plaza (tickets $25).
Another option is the tea dance on Pennsylvania Avenue between Fourth and Seventh streets NW, which is where the parade ends. Features music from the 80s and 90s and a drinks garden while waiting for protesters to arrive. The tea dance (tickets between $10 and $15) begins at 3 pm, which is when the parade begins.
Where to eat and drink during the parade
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As noted above, restaurant patios between T and P streets will be very popular. Arrive early if you want to see it from drop-in spots like Aslin (open at 11 a.m.) or Garden District (open at noon). There’s entertainment too, with DJs at Trade starting at 2pm and Chicken + Whiskey starting at 3, with $5 drinks all weekend long.
Le Diplomate sold out its streetside chalets ($250 or $500 per table), but reservations are still available at Sette Osteria, while Etto’s patio is first-come, first-served. The Hamilton Hotel is raising money for the Capital Pride Alliance with its retro-themed PridePOP pop-up bar, but it’s also hosting a party on its patio. organized in conjunction with non-profit sports organization Team DC starting at 3 pm ($25).
Some restaurants get creative: Cork Wine Bar, near the starting line, sells canned wines, cider, chip cones and truffle popcorn out of its front windows, while Michelin-starred Bresca serves seltzers and hot dogs.
If you don’t want to stay outside, ChurchKey’s large windows make it an attractive spot to watch the action near 14th and Rhode Island, and the doors open at noon. Black Whiskey is narrower but also has windows facing 14th Street. The Hamilton, further down the route, will also have walk-in space in its bar area, which faces 14th Street.
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The official family zone is at Stead Park, on P Street between 16th and 17th Streets, where there are craft activities, drag story time (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), games, and a playground. Partners include the National Children’s Museum, Rainbow Families and Playtime Project. The event runs from 10am to 3pm, making it the ideal pre-parade activity.
To watch the parade, consider taking active kids to Franklin Park, at 14th and K streets, where there are benches, a playground, and plenty of room to run around while they wait for the parade (or just get bored). Freedom Plaza and Pershing Park, at 14th and Pennsylvania, offer similar open spaces.
Other things to do before and after the parade.
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Saturdays The tea dance, which has a “Flashback” theme from the 80s and 90s, will be held at the same time as the parade. The event will feature “RuPaul’s Drag Race” performers Aquaria and Naomi Smalls, and DJs ranging from DC favorite Cake Pop to Studio 54 veteran Robbie Leslie. The entrance is at the intersection of Constitution Avenue and Sixth Street NW, across from the National Gallery of Art. Ticket proceeds benefit the new LGBTQ+ Community Center.
The 17th Street strip near Dupont Circle has long been home to a variety of LGBTQ-focused businesses, such as the historic Annie’s Paramount Steak House. The 17th Street Block Party, which closes the street between P and S streets on Saturday, allows guests to wander around with their adult beverages while enjoying DJs, drag king and queen performances hosted by Citrine, and special food and beverage offerings. drink at participating restaurants. If you want to see the parade, you are a three block walk away. The party runs from noon to 10 p.m. and admission is free.
Join parade grand marshals Keke Palmer and Billy Porter, 2024 Pride honorees and other supporters at the Viceroy Hotel on Saturday for the Crack of Noon Pride Parade Brunch, featuring mimosas and an all-you-can-eat buffet. The food and drinks flow from noon until 3 pm, when it’s time to head out to the observation deck at Thomas Circle. Tickets are $70, or $85 with bottomless mimosas, and benefit the Capital Pride Alliance and Pride 365 Fund.
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