At the end of June, I kicked off what was sure to be an unforgettable weekend in New York City for Pride 2024. By Friday, the streets were already brimming with vibrant colors and the infectious energy of thousands celebrating love, equality, and the freedom to be themselves. The first signs of Pride always bring a smile to my face because they offer just a glimpse of the magic that the city will experience on Sunday. 🦄
Every year, when NYC Pride rolls around, I prefer to book a hotel room close to the events that interest me—even though it might seem unnecessary, given how close I live. Having a hotel in one of New York City’s gay districts makes the weekend so much better. It serves as a home base to recharge during the scorching summer heat, a worry-free rest stop between festivities, and a way to cut down on wasted travel time. I also like to switch up the hotel I stay at each year to explore the city’s offerings! 🏩
Pride Weekend is one of the most vibrant and exciting times to be in New York City. The streets are alive with energy, and events are happening all over the city, from the Pride March to parties and concerts that stretch late into the night. By booking a hotel, I aim to place myself in the heart of it all, surrounded by the celebration, with everything I need just a short walk or subway ride away. So many Pride events happen at night that the room basically operates as a place of refuge during the daytime. 🚇
The Hotel
For instance, this year, I chose to stay at the Hyatt in Chelsea. It was an excellent location, close to the parade route and within easy reach of the afterparties I wanted to attend. Not only did this add an extra layer of comfort to my Pride experience, but it also allowed me to be spontaneous and flexible with my plans, knowing I had a place nearby to crash whenever I needed it. In the past, I’ve typically hovered near Hell’s Kitchen. Both locations have their pros and their cons.
While some might see booking a hotel for Pride as an unnecessary luxury, I see it as a way to fully embrace the weekend. It turns Pride into a complete experience—one where I can focus on celebrating, connecting with others, and making the most of the vibrant atmosphere.
For one weekend in this special month, the world around me aligns in such a way that I feel completely safe, surrounded by a community that accepts and celebrates people like me for who we are. In a city that already feels like home, NYC Pride elevates that feeling to something extraordinary, where I’m not just another face in the crowd but part of a vibrant, loving community. 🌈
Friday Night Drag Show
Friday night marked the start of my NYC Pride Weekend, and I couldn’t think of a better way to dive into the festivities than by attending a drag show. The atmosphere at Balcon was electric as soon as I walked into the venue, with anticipation buzzing in the air. On stage were two drag queens who absolutely stole the show with their performances. 💃
Friday night, I decided to go out alone and put myself out there because #single.
As I sat there, laughing along with everyone else, I couldn’t help but be reminded of my days backpacking through Europe in 2018. Back then, the idea of going out alone filled me with anxiety and nervousness. I was so unsure of myself, constantly worried about what others thought. But now, in 2024, it feels like a different life and I feel so happy with how far I’ve come since then. Here I was, sitting confidently in a crowded venue, eager to meet new people—whether they might become friends or something more. The transformation in myself was undeniable. 🫡
It was a moment of reflection, realizing how far I’ve come. From that anxious backpacker to someone who now relishes these experiences, fully present and enjoying every second. By the time the show ended, my cheeks hurt from laughing so much, and I left the venue feeling energized, ready for whatever the weekend had in store—which turned out to be another drag show! 😂
These queens were not just performers; they were entertainers in every sense of the word. Their quick wit, sharp humor, and playful banter kept the entire audience laughing nonstop. Whether they were lip-syncing to iconic anthems or engaging the audience with hilarious commentary, they had everyone in stitches from start to finish. One of the best parts of the night was the way they interacted with the crowd. It wasn’t just about the performances—they made everyone feel like they were part of the show. From playful roasts to spontaneous sing-alongs, the night was full of surprises and lots of laughs. It was the perfect way to kick off a weekend.
A Business Project
Saturday was packed with activities from start to finish, some unrelated to Pride Weekend. The day started with a unique experience for me: filming a video using a teleprompter for the first time. I needed to take care of some work over the weekend to ensure I didn’t fall behind. It was an exciting challenge that pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me a lot about presenting on camera. Lugging that teleprompter around the city was the only part that kind of sucked.
Someone walking past me asked, “What’s inside your bag? Bricks?” To which I laughed and replied, “Good guess! It’s a teleprompter. So basically, yes.”
Buying Dreamland Tickets
After wrapping up my video shoot, I decided to head out for some ramen. The weather was horrible out.
Instead of letting the rain ruin the night, I decided to embrace it and headed to a nearby club to see where the night would take me.
On my way there, I impulsively discovered and purchased tickets to attend Dreamland Pride: the outdoor festival in Central Park taking place the next day. I saw John Summit would be headlining it and I’m a huge fan so it was a no-brainer. 💸
John Summit admitted he lost social media followers when he announced he would be DJing at Pride and he decided not to back down! #Respect
Saturday Night Out
What followed was one of the most fun nights out I’ve had in a long time. The club was packed, the music was incredible, and the energy was 10/10. I danced for hours, met some amazing people, and completely lost track of time. It was a reminder of how much fun it can be to just go with the flow and let the night unfold on its own.
The Pride March On Sunday
It was the perfect lead-up to Sunday’s Pride March, and I couldn’t wait to see what the rest of the weekend had in store.
Sunday’s Pride March was fantastic. 🏳️🌈
Here are some videos from it:
It made me smile to see my friends from Squid Game: The Challenge!
Dreamland with John Summit
No doubt, the highlight of the weekend was attending Dreamland, where I finally got to see John Summit live—a moment I’d been waiting for. The anticipation built as the crowd surged, the bass from the speakers reverberating through the air. Coincidentally, I saw a friend who I didn’t even know would be there too! When Summit took the stage, the atmosphere was electric. The lights, the music, the unity of the crowd—it was a euphoric experience that I’ll never forget.
I also mingled and met some really awesome people at Dreamland!!
Here are some videos from the Dreamland concert:
An Unexpected Turn
I was having a great night there, but the weekend took an unexpected turn. Just as the high of the event was settling in, I received texts that brought everything to a halt.
My grandpa, who had been in otherwise perfectly good health, was passing away. Suddenly, the noise of the concert felt distant, and all I could think about was getting back home to be with my family.
It’s strange how life can change in an instant, how you can go from feeling on top of the world to being brought back to earth with a single phone call. I ended up missing the main song I was excited for, but obviously life is unpredictable and there was no rhyme or reason to the way that happened. Just tragic news. Maybe 15 minutes later, I got confirmation my grandpa had passed away. My friend was incredibly supportive and concerned for me as everything was unfolding. I called my sister and parents to figure out what to do. At that point in the night, traveling to see them was not really feasible so I had to come to terms with waiting until the following morning to reunite with my family.
It was a very abrupt, shocking, and heartbreaking way to end a concert on my favorite day of the year. 😔
That weekend was a stark reminder of the importance of balance, of holding onto the joyous moments but also being present for the difficult ones.
As I reflect on that weekend, I’m grateful for the experiences—the celebration of Pride, the music, the connection with others—but also for the reminder to cherish every moment, because life is as fragile as it is beautiful.
Did you have a nice Pride this year?
