New York City Pride weekend is always a whirlwind, and 2025 was no exception. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Pride weekends in NYC, it’s that plans change quickly, energy is endless, and spontaneity often leads to the best memories.
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Friday Night: A Late Start & A Night Out in Hell’s Kitchen ✨
Usually, Friday nights during Pride Weekend are reserved for going out with my sister, but this year she had a scheduling conflict. I nearly didn’t go out at all—I was committed to finishing Squid Game Season 3. (Anyone else?)
After watching the final episode, I eventually rallied myself out the door around 10 PM and headed straight to The Ritz in Hell’s Kitchen.
As it always is during Pride, Hell’s Kitchen was buzzing. It’s like Pride weekend breathes new life into the city, filling the streets with an irresistible energy.
Despite my initial hesitation to go out, the vibrant crowd quickly reminded me why Pride in NYC is worth stepping out for—even if you get a late start!
Checking into the Moxy Chelsea: My New Favorite Stay 🏳️🌈
On Saturday, I wanted to be a little closer to the city’s Pride festivities so I checked myself into Moxy Chelsea for the very first time.
I’ve stayed at the Moxy in Times Square multiple times before, but Chelsea’s location blew me away. My room was spacious, clean, comfortable, and perfectly positioned with an amazing view of the iconic H&M branded Four Times Square building. The antenna mast was illuminated in a rainbow just for Pride weekend—talk about a warm welcome!
Saturday Night: Spontaneous Decisions & Planet Pride! 🕺🏻
That evening, I ventured back to Hell’s Kitchen just to walk around, soaking up the atmosphere. Pride weekend in NYC always makes me feel at home, seeing everyone out and proud. After wandering for a bit, I decided to get in line for HUSH, a popular gay bar, but after standing there for nearly 45 minutes and finally nearing the entrance, something shifted in me. I wasn’t feeling it anymore.
For introverts, there’s such a fine line between the need to socialize and the need to recharge.
In a sudden twist, I left the line, went back to my room, recharged (my phone and myself), and realized I walked away from Hush because I wasn’t particularly interested in a social-atmosphere as much as a dance-atmosphere 😆 which is what I started envisioning it might be like once I got inside—I just wanted to dance that night!
I started looking up other options. Without overthinking it, I impulsively bought tickets for Planet Pride at Avant Gardner in Brooklyn, requested a Lyft, and off I went!
Planet Pride 🦄
It was my first time attending Planet Pride, and WOW—it did not disappoint. The atmosphere, the music, and the community were incredible. Dancing until nearly sunrise (I didn’t get back until 5:30 AM!) felt liberating, joyous, and that was exactly what my soul needed.
In 2025, the cost for a last-minute ticket was around $179.99 and I’m sure it would be less had I bought it earlier. It was really fun and I’d definitely consider returning next year.
Avant Gardner as a venue was spacious. They are also really sophisticated and give everyone who enters a wristband connected to your bank account so you can quickly and easily pay at the bar without any hassle. They also have lockers for purchase. It’s worth noting that the venue is super strict about what you can bring inside. I brought a fanny pack and thankfully they allowed that in, but they did thoroughly search it before I could enter.
The lighting special effects were impressive and matched the music perfectly.
In case you didn’t already know from my Time Square New Years Eve posts, I LOVE confetti, so I had a great appreciation for this moment as well:
Sunday: Pride March & Dreamland in Central Park 🎶
Somehow, and seriously, don’t ask me how—I was awake, energized, and ready to hit the streets by 10:30 AM the next morning.
The March 🎊
First stop was the Pride March, which always fills my heart. The theme this year was “Rise Up: Pride in Protest.”
Brunch 🍳
After about two hours of taking in the celebrations, I met up with a close friend for brunch, where we had possibly the best Eggs Benedict of my life (no exaggeration). The conversation was wonderful, a much needed break from all the loud music and cheering taking place outside. It was exactly the recharge I needed.
Unfortunately, brunch was cut a bit short when I realized the time—I had tickets for Dreamland Pride in Central Park, an event I first experienced last year when John Summit was headlining (you can read about that unforgettable, emotional experience here). This year’s headliner was Gorgon City.
Dreamland in Central Park 😍
Dreamland Pride is produced by Live Nation and City Parks Foundation, held on the iconic SummerStage at Rumsey Playfield (enter via 69th or 72nd Street on East Drive in Central Park). In 2025, it took place on Sunday, June 29, from 3 PM to 10 PM.
For an outdoor venue, it’s impressive how immersive and powerful the EDM music feels.
I Got Sprouted at Dreamland 🌱🌸
For me, the most memorable highlight from Dreamland was getting “sprouted,” a trend that’s quickly gaining popularity at music festivals and concerts.
Getting “sprouted” means someone placed a tiny, decorative sprout-shaped hair clip onto your head, usually without you noticing at first.
(I’m pretty sure they’re designed to be aquarium accessories or something, haha.) It’s playful, adorable, and a fun way to connect with others—plus, it’s impossible not to smile when you realize you’ve been “sprouted.” Apparently it’s good luck and it it’s somehow used to recognize “good energy” or something like that.
I wore that flower on my head the rest of the night. I saw a handful of other sprouts over the course of the evening.
Meeting up with a fantastic group of friends really made all the difference. The energy was upbeat, the music outstanding, and the weather (though scorching hot) was thankfully free from the thunderstorms that cut things short last year. Seeing familiar faces and making new friends was genuinely heartwarming and made this year’s experience memorable in the best way possible.
But even after Dreamland ended, I wasn’t quite ready to say goodbye to the weekend. In hindsight, heading back to another club afterward might’ve been pushing it, but Pride weekend has a special magic that makes it hard to walk away from.
So I did go out one final time after Dreamland purely because I still wanted to bop around.
Monday: Rest, Recharge, and Reflect 😌
Taking off work on Monday was possibly the smartest decision I made all weekend. Sleeping in, enjoying a leisurely breakfast, and heading home at my own pace allowed me to reflect and truly appreciate the amazing, spontaneous, and colorful weekend I’d just experienced.
NYC Pride 2025 reminded me once again why Pride is so special—it’s a celebration of community, freedom, and authenticity. Each year offers something new, and this weekend certainly brought joy, surprises, and countless reasons to smile.
I can’t wait to see what next year brings! Until then, stay colorful and keep dancing. 🌈✨
Happy Pride! Although Pride Month is reserved for June here in the US, Pride should be celebrated every day all year, in order to remember the fight that the LGBTQ community had done half a century ago. We mustn’t forget that, and you certainly went all out in celebrating and commemorating what it means to be LGBTQ in this day and age of uncertainty with our nation. Thanks for sharing your time with us, Rocky!
Happy Pride, Rebecca! Thanks so much and yes, I totally agree with you! It should be! 😃 I hope the world will continue to make progress even despite everything that’s been happening in recent times.
I love that there are Pride events all over the nation. I was worried this year about Pride with the current political climate that is happening. Unfortunately in my state rights were ripped away from Transgenders this year. It is so wrong! Be happy, live your true self and love with all your heart! 🏳️🌈