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We've got all of our picks of the best parties, events, performances and more LGBTQ+ things to do in NYC.
June is Pride Month, which means New York’s LGBTQ+ is ready to party, celebrate and stand up for equal rights in all the city’s rainbow-wrapped glory for the NYC Pride March and more. If you’re looking for LGBTQ+ things to do, we have your back—we’ve assembled the best parties, performances, the best gay bars and the best events that'll have you dancing, singing, learning and feeling heard. And while there’s no official census or index, it’s believed that New York City has the largest LGBTQ+ population in America—and that’s something to celebrate!
RECOMMENDED: A guide to Pride NYC
Time Out Market New York is bringing in talented DJs for Pride weekend from the 5th-floor stage. These DJs will bring incomparable taste, specialty curated sets, and LGBTQ+ energy to the space while you sip on cocktails and enjoy food from Time Out Market. DJ Amber Valentine (House of Yes, The Woods, Susanne Barscht's New York, New York) will be on Saturday, 2-5pm and DJ Gay Panic (The Sultan Room, Gold Sounds) will spin tunes on Sunday, 11am-2pm.
2021 brought NYC Pride back to the streets, and 2022’s is going to be even bigger and better. The annual event, which is part demonstration and part huge celebration kicks off at noon on Sunday, June 26 at 25th St. and Fifth Ave, winding down to the West Village. Expect major crowds.
Trans, gender-nonconforming, and nonbinary Dykes are marching this year with the theme "D4T–Dykes for Trans Liberation" on Saturday, June 25, at 5pm rain or shine. Show up to show your support and fight for trans liberation. The New York City Dyke March "glows with all hues of the gender spectrum and stands with trans people—those trans dykes we love to see at the Dyke March, and those trans non-dykes with whom we join in solidarity."
There's an afterparty by Hot Rabbit at 3 Dollar Bill starting at 11pm. Get your tickets here.
The 2022 Queer Liberation March for Trans and BIPOC Freedom, Reproductive Justice, and Bodily Autonomy will start in Foley Square and march north up 6th Avenue to Washington Square Park for a community gathering. Instead of a police presence, community members will serve as safety marshals for the March on foot and bicycles. RPC volunteers have worked for months to ensure that the event can occur without the need or involvement of police.
Watermark, the 10,000 square-foot outdoor bar, and restaurant located in the Seaport District, is transforming Pier 15 into a glow-in-the-dark waterfront paradise with Pride On The Pier “Glow-Fest” on June 25 at 11pm. Featuring unobstructed views of the Brooklyn skyline, the event will boast a rotating lineup of DJs, glow-go dancers, illuminated cocktails, rainbow margaritas, and endless rosé by the palm trees and cabanas situated on the water. (Walk-ins are welcome, and reservations are encouraged, tickets start at $20/person).
Why is NYC Pride better than any other festival in the land? Ours has its own music festival. Head to Pier 97 for a breezy day in the sun with your favorite acts and their fans. This year's lineup is quite a banger, with Lil' Kim, Kim Petras, Shenseea, Netta, Raye, Papi Juice and DJs Eddie Martinez, Dani Toro and Alex Chapman. And for the first time ever, it will all take place on Governors Island.
Celebrate Pride in the spiciest way possible at this pop-up from James Beard nominee and New Mexico-born chef Eric See and his team from queer Brooklyn hotspot, Ursula, at NO BAR at The Standard, East Village. Guests to the pop-up will enjoy a four-course menu of traditional New Mexican fare served with a New York City savoir-faire, including shared small plates such as grilled oysters and chicharron, bean and cheese tostadas, lamb carnitas & red chile memelas & blue corn olive oil cakes, through Sunday night. The whole event culminated with an extravagant Pride day brunch where queer chefs Woldy Reyes, of Woldy Kusina, and Tony Ortiz, of Chile Con Miel, will join See in the kitchen for the “Queens of the South, a queer brunch celebration.” Here, DJ Wavy Fox will provide tunes and The Soapbox Presents, a Harlem-based community organization celebrating the brilliance of Black and Brown people through art, will showcase incredible drag performances.
Bushwick’s Rubulad will be hosting Pride Week Art Fest, a five-hour event starting at 7pm on June 24, highlighting queer performers from all over New York City. This interactive event will immerse attendees in live installations from local artists, live face-painting, neon body-painting, clown wrestling?, food, vendors, and more. Eight motley acts will perform across two stages, including Power Trash from Queens, Abbie from Mars, Coffee Nap, Fox Indigo, Robot X. and more. Tickets are available at the link below for $12 online or $15 at the door. The address will be revealed once you RSVP.
New Women Space is hosting an event titled Shop Pride: A Queer Pop-Up Shop on June 25, 1-7pm, at 188 Woodpoint Rd. in Williamsburg. Come to support queer artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives. Get your tarot cards read, enjoy fantastic live music & mimosas!
Celebrate Pride on NYC's shining waters! Classic Harbor Line is back with its annual New York Harbor PRIDE Sail for the Hetrick-Martin Institute on June 25 departing at 10:30am from Pier 62 at Chelsea Piers. The two-hour journey (with a raised Pride flag on the tall ship schooner America 2.0 and Adirondack schooner) includes a complimentary first round of mimosas, or a selection of sparkling and still wines, beer, hard seltzer, alcohol-free beer, soft drinks or juices. 100% of ticket sales from this sail goes to the Hetrick-Martin Institute. This year, Classic Harbor Line has a goal of reaching $10,000 total since their initial benefit sail in 2019. Tickets are $75 with an option to donate more if a person would like to.
Another option for sailing is Classic Harbor Line's Mimosa Sails on the weekends on either our tall ship schooner America 2.0 or Adirondack schooner.
While aboard, don't miss ordering Classic Harbor Line's is introducing a new cocktail for PRIDE month, the "Love is Love" created by new bar manager Kim Boston. The tequila-based drink looks like a lovely rainbow in a glass.
A sculptural installation by artist Steven Evans at the NYC AIDS Memorial illuminates the history, struggle and future of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in New York City. "Songs for a Memorial" consists of 12 text-based, polychromatic, LED sculptures designed to evoke neon signs and the dynamic energy of nightlife and uses titles from songs tied to the period surrounding the onset and height of the AIDS epidemic, from the 1970s hit “Love Is the Message” by MFSB, Sylvester’s anthem “You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real),” and the early 1980s British synth-pop protest song “Why” by Bronski Beat among other Downtown New York club and radio favorites. There's a playlist now on Spotify playlist that includes the song titles used in the works. Don't miss "Dance Floor," an hour-long storytelling program with tales from nights under the disco ball with special guests including DJ Lady Bunny starting at 6pm on June 29. Guests will be invited to dance the night away starting at 7pm. These events and the exhibit are open to the public for free.
Come boogie with MAC Cosmetics for a Rainbow Pop Skate night at Flipper's Roller Boogie Palace (at Rock Center) on Wednesday night, hosted by everyone's favorite triple-threat queen, Jan Sport! She'll be joined by friends for an evening of performances, MAC makeup touch-ups, and of course, lots of roller skating. Sounds by DJ Valissa Yoe. Come as you are and dress in your Pride best. Performances will take place at 7:30pm, 8:30pm and 9:30pm. Tickets are $22.
Jes Tom and Tessa Skara host a Pride event celebrating the most vulnerable members of the LGBTQ+ community: corporations! Featuring comedy and drag from your favorite non-brand-affiliated queer performers, including Hannah Einbinder, Jess Henderson, Spike Einbinder, Sabrina Wu and One Million Girls. Tickets are $15 for the show on Sunday at The Bell House.
Check out 3 Dollar Bill on June 18 where the Queer Art Summerfest (one of NYC's largest queer marketplaces and
performance festivals, created specifically for and by LGBTQ creators & business owners) will take place. There will be more than 40 merchants and performers, early attendee door gifts courtesy of Scent Trunk, Aneros, Areaware, Empower Oil & more, plus complimentary iced coffee, courtesy of Queer-owned Four Corners Coffee. Participating artists and vendors featuring within the marketplace span multiple categories, including photography, zines, jewelry, home goods, baked goods, fashion, fine art and more. Admission is free, with all raffle ticket proceeds supporting Queer Art Fest Inc.’s organization
and future programming.
The New York Public Library hosts LGBTQ+ inclusive programming year-round but goes all out for June. Pride Month’s roster of events includes LGBTQ+ book clubs, storytimes, bilingual drag queen readings, queer craft club, screenings, performances and more. Best of all, every activity is free!
Head to Bryant Park on June 17 to enjoy a special Pride-focused performance from New York City Opera and the LaGuardia High School Choir, directed by Jeanne Cascio. It's free and begins at 7pm!
Frigid New York hosts this annual showcase of subversive LGBTQ+ comedy, storytelling, short film and theater, curated by Jimmy Lovett. Offerings include an improvised showing of As You Will by William Shakespeare, a drag show "Come What May: An Evening with Lena Horné," a drag king special based on the lives of the so-called "Great Men of History," and "Thank You For Coming Out," an intentional space where the performers know their queerness is the superpower of the scene and not the joke.
The James NoMad has a ton of Pride activities for its guests and locals between now and June 26, including a larger-than-life Lady Liberty sculpture made completely of fresh flowers in a rainbow of colors, inspired by powerful LGBTQ+ POC activists such as Marsha P. Johnson who fought for equality, standing tall in its lobby. There's also a Weeklong schedule of events, including a Makeup and Mixers mixology event with edible florals, performances by NYC drag queen Neon Calypso and more. On Sunday morning, the hotel will have LGBTQ+ makeup artists from PRIV doing complimentary pre-parade glam in lobby, themed music playing and more and it'll have nightly DJs with Pride Playlists and daily happy hours with a Pride cocktail. Those looking for a stay can get 15% off here.
The Rally is going to take place on Friday, June 24, this year from 4 to 7pm with hosts Raquel Willis and Sage Dolan-Sandrino. Speakers include Chase Strangio, Dominique Morgan, and Schuyler Bailar who were recently announced as grand marshals at this year’s NYC Pride March. Additional speakers include B. Hawk Snipes, Edafe Okoporo, Linda La, Shawnee Kish, Angy Rivera, The Okra Project, and the National LGBTQ+ Task Force. It is free to attend but RSVP ahead of time.
Sing Out! is a 90-minute Broadway revue infused with personal and inspiring stories from Grammy- and Tony- recognized performers who all identify as members of the LGBTQ+
community. Austin Artists Project will bring this show, which premiered in Austin, TX, to the Rose Theater at The Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City for a special one-night-only
performance on June 20, 2022. Join in with your own voice at this all-ages event! Tickets are $25-$250.
House of Yes invites you to meet under the K Bridge this month for a summer festival series with underground grit and glamor. The "Summer of Love," taking place at the Under The K Bridge Park in Greenpoint between June 12 and July 4, will be the largest outdoor venue House of Yes has ever had an event at and will feature seven events with both day and night parties. Don't miss the Juneteenth: Unityfest Block Party by Unityfest and KeiStar Productions with Josh Milan, DJ Spinna, Soul Summit Music, Descendants of Sound and Jay Vic on Sunday, June 19, 3pm-midnight. It's free! Glitterbox: PRIDE! with Louie Vega, Tedd Patterson, Rimarkable and Anna Collecta takes place on Saturday, June 25, 7pm-3am (tickets: $25 - $55) and STUNTSZ XL: Pride Anniversary featuring Papi Juice and friends takes place on Sunday, June 26, 8pm-3am.
Join The Standard and a host of kooky, zany, and fabulous drag queens for an exciting, irreverent trivia challenge every Wednesday evening. What’s more, kick the celebrations into high gear with Chambord on Wednesday, June 22 (7pm). Enjoy an evening of trivia and drink for a cause, being the first to try Chambord’s exclusive PRIDE-inspired cocktail, available only at The Standard. Try Chambord’s signature cocktail, "Say Gay," at The Standard—made with Chambord, lime juice, mint syrup, vodka and topped with some bubbly. Proceeds from the Chambord cocktail will benefit PFLAG, the first and largest organization dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and their families.
Playbill and the Times Square Alliance are hosting Pride In Times Square—free events, centered around NYC Pride Weekend, June 24 - 26. Celebrate all weekend with top-stage and screen celebrities, LGBTQ+ non-profit organizations, Broadway/Off-Broadway productions, local Times Square business promotions, an AR Rainbow above Seventh Avenue, and a Big Broadway Disco. See the whole line-up right here. It's all free!
Join Event Cruises NYC for a special Pride cruise this month that will feature a glitter body artist and good music from special guest DJs as it sails around the city and the Statue of Liberty. Cotton candy and rainbow popcorn and drinks will be available for purchase from gorgeous bartenders.
Black of Center: Juneteenth Block Festival: June 19, noon-5pm
This will be a free festival that celebrates Juneteenth and centers on Black LGBTQ artists, storytellers, businesses, and vendors. All are welcome to join us on West 13th Street for an interactive day of storytelling, art-making workshops, community discussions, games, music performances, and more.
Garden Party: June 21, 6-9pm
As an annual celebration since 1984, Garden Party is one of New York City's longest-running Pride events. This year's party will take place on Pier 84, featuring an open bar, delicious food, and hours of live entertainment from legends like Paula Cole, Sophie B. Hawkins, Haus of Tisci, and more.
The longest-running BK Pride party in the city is back. Hit the dance floor for some good old-fashioned debauchery on Saturday, June 11 at The Bell House. Hear tunes from killer DJs, Noa D, Nasty, Roze Royze, Funkyreggaehouseparty, Adair and Victoriadidtha. It's only a $10 cover.
Play for Pride at SPIN, a fun ping pong venue that will have drinks and a special Pride menu all night on Friday, June 10, starting at 9pm. A $59 VIP ticket gets you access to the Pride Lounge: 3-hour all-inclusive F&B package with open ping pong play in a private room with a dedicated bar. Test your skills to win Happy Socks, Scotch & Soda items, Truly swag and free drink tickets. The Pride menu includes a Truly Pineapple Mojito, Black-Eyed Rye, and a S’mores over the rainbow all for $10. There will be both drag and DJ performances on the Center Court all night long. While the event is free to attend, 20% of proceeds from the night (ping pong table revenue and special pride menu) will be going to the You Can Play project—whose mission is to ensure the safety and inclusion of all LGBTQ people in sports, including athletes, coaches, staff, and fans.
Butoh began post-World War II as Japan felt a loss of identity caused by the westernization of its culture and ancient performing traditions. The Vangeline Theater, which is home to the New York Butoh Institute, is presenting three performances June 28-30 (8pm) at The Brick Theatre from XUE and Merwin Wong (Singapore) in "shadowbloom," Hélène Barrier (France) in "METAGENDER," and Dustin Maxell (New York) with Kayva Yang and Mei Maeda in "a dark forest partly illuminated." The running time is approximately two hours with intermission. Tickets are $20.
Sip and sketch in Brooklyn Museum's backyard Sculpture Garden this summer with a monthly series of life drawing classes. Drag and Draw is open to all levels and accompanied by a refreshing beverage and musical vibes by local DJs. This month, sketch live models from Yas Mama, Brooklyn's favorite night of Latinx drag starring local talent. Experiment with watercolor and crayon in this casual class led by teaching artist Mellasenah Nicole Edwards. While you draw, enjoy music and performances by some of NYC's best drag queens, hosted by Horrorchata, mother of the House of Bushwig. Tickets are $35 and include after-hours admission to Andy Warhol: Revelation.
Astoria's Katch will come alive for Pride with LasReinas and Cynthia Russo from 9pm until 4am, enjoy food, NYC's hottest female DJs, including DJ LENA and DJ ZEHNO, as well as go-go dancers and free giveaways. Tickets start at $15.
The new hotel by Jason Pomeranc is throwing its first-ever Pride celebration Thursday at 6pm called "Take a Bow" with sounds by DJ ARRA, Ryan Mcknight, and a special performance by the Dragon Sisters. There will be drink specials, dancing, and more. Visitors can also use code Pride2022 to access our essential Pride package—15% off basic rates and express VIP entry to LGBTQ+ hotspot, The Q.
Close out your Pride week right with the 10th annual Daydream party with Aquaria (2-6pm) and NYC legend Lady Bunny (6-10pm)! Enjoy cocktails, appetizers and bottle service all while taking in a one-of-a-kind view of the Manhattan skyline at PHD Rooftop Lounge at Dream Downtown.
ADVENTURE[s] presents This Party Is Killing You!: The Robyn Party is a 10-year-old celebration of The Robyn Party which is the original and longest-running pop music tribute dance party celebrating the Swedish goddess of pop, Robyn. Celebrate Robyn and Pride with a set from tech pop artist girl_irl in addition to Robyn's hits, b-sides, lost tracks, remixes, along with your other pop faves like Gaga, Carly, Mariah, and more. It's a "euphoric, up-lifting, cry-dancing, life-changing night." It's taking place on June 24 at 3 Dollar Bill.
XOXA, the LGBTQ+ DJ and party collective out of Brooklyn, is throwing a huge Pride event in Greenpoint at Good Room (98 Meserole Avenue), featuring two rooms and seven hours of music from DJs LADYMONIX, DJ Keenan Orr, DJ Colby B and resident DJs, Kandylion, Heidy P, Niyah West & Honey B. The June 24 show, which begins at 10pm, is $15-$25.
Pride will be saved by the Top 6 of RuPaul's Drag Race Season 14 at this June 5 show at HK Hall. Join Angeria, Bosco, Daya Betty, Jorgeous, Lady Camden and new reigning queen Willow Pill as they take on Pride in New York City. It'll be hosted by fan favorite, Vanessa Vanjie.
Moxy Hotels have a lineup of Pride-themed parties, package deals, live games and performances, giveaways, and more at Moxy Times Square, Moxy Chelsea, and Moxy East Village this month.
Once a month, Dave’s Lesbian Bar takes to the streets of Queens and brings a pop-up queer space to Astoria. Known to pack bars and sidewalks, this recurring event is the place to be for live queer performances, queer makers markets, queer haircuts and so much more.
The Paley Center for Media is spotlighting the creative contributions of legendary LGBTQ+ icons, influential programs, and extraordinary moments that have shaped culture across drama, comedy, news/talk/documentary, music/variety, and sports. Now through June 26. The celebration includes a special preview screening and conversation of Peacock’s Queer as Folk on Tuesday, June 7 at 6:30pm, featuring Creator/Executive Producer Stephen Dunn, Executive Producer/Writer Jaclyn Moore, and stars Devin Way, Fin Argus, Jesse James Keitel, CG, and Johnny Sibilly. Admission is $20 for nonmembers; $16 for students, teachers, seniors, veterans, and first responders; free for children 12 and under. RSVPs are required for the Queer As Folk screening.
Enjoy this theatrical spectacle on Friday, June 24, that puts drag center stage. You'll be whisked through a "sparkling night of drag, glamour, brilliance, and uncanny joy," by emcee God Complex and see the best that Brooklyn drag has to offer. This event at House of Yes will feature Nicky Ottav, Theydy Bedbug, C’etait Bontemps and Junior Mintt. Tickets are $15-$30.
This corner-side contemporary art gallery curates exhibits by LGBTQ+ artists and accompanying events. Virtual exhibitions are also available to those unable to pop up. Stay up-to-date on performance residencies, show openings and more for a community night out.
A bookstore unlike any other, New York’s only queer, trans and sex worker-run bookstore has it all: Radical zines, bestsellers, and titles organized to support trans kids. Visit to browse the books and also for free events like readings and book discussions, letter writing to incarcerated LGBTQ folks and more.
A historically inclusive queer beach, this stretch of Rockaway is a meeting place for LGBTQ+ New Yorkers from every borough, eager for judgment-free time in the sun. Pack extra snacks to share if you want to make friends.
Located in the heart of Greenwich Village, The Center is like New York’s official LGBTQ+ HQ. Offering health, arts, and family services, the programs this place provides can feel endless. Drop in to visit the Bureau of General Services, Queer Division, an excellent independent bookstore inside The Center.
Organized by New York-based Dyke Beer, Dyke Nite pops up all around the city to bring queer people together for low-stress, fun events. Think bar nights, ax throwing, beer pong, queeraoke and more.
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This inclusive boxing and fitness gym in East Williamsburg is beloved for its queer-led classes and personal training sessions. The gym is open to people of all fitness levels and body types.
Join Cynthia Russo, Stacy Lentz of Stonewall, Lori of LasReinasNYC and Kate of lovergirlnyc for this sexy Pride party for lesbian, queer, trans and non-binary folx on Sunday from 3-11pm at HK Hall (605 West 48th St.). Dine, drink, dance and mingle at this spacious and state-of-the-art nightclub with amazing DJs and live performances from Mary Mac, Lena, RosyQ and Miss M as well as from Ariana Castelli and Keeana Kee. Tickets are $30.
LGBT parties in NYC offer something for everyone, from relaxed, mixed shindigs to sweaty dance throwdowns
