The Big Apple lit up in every color of the rainbow on Sunday as thousands lined Fifth Avenue to celebrate the annual NYC Pride March.
Photo by Dean Moses
The Big Apple lit up in every color of the rainbow on Sunday as thousands lined 5th Avenue to celebrate the annual NYC Pride March.
Plumes of confetti filled the air as Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Attorney General Letitia James, and other elected officials kicked off the parade at 26th Street and Fifth Avenue before heading downtown toward the Stonewall Inn. The streets pulsated with music, from Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” to a medley of Lady Gaga hits, as marchers and spectators danced and waved rainbow flags.
The NYC Pride March was established to honor the 1969 Stonewall Riots and has evolved over the decades into a demonstration of LGBTQIA+ resilience, unity, and activism. This year’s theme, “For All of Us,” was inspired by a quote from LGBTQ+ activist and Stonewall veteran Marsha P. Johnson: “There is no pride for some of us without liberation for all of us.”
According to NYC Pride organizers, the theme was chosen to highlight the ongoing fight for the most marginalized members of the queer community, particularly transgender and non-binary individuals, amid growing legislative and political challenges.
The 2026 NYC Pride March Grand Marshals included Dominique Jackson, Peppermint, Bernie Wagenblast, Bowen Yang, and Gays Against Guns.
Winding through the West Village, spectators cheered for the colorful floats, marching bands, and community organizations that filled the route with joy and celebration, culminating on 15th Street and 7th Avenue.
