WorldPride DC 2025 Updates for May 27 - June 1:
Film Festival Rolls, Capital Cup Sports Festival Kicks Off, and the Welcome Ceremony and Opening Concert with Shakira take over Nationals Park this weekend
Washington, DC (May 27, 2025)-- As Pride Month officially kicks off this week, the landmark WorldPride DC 2025 celebration of LGBTQ+ culture, identity, and unity grows with a packed calendar of festivals, sports, concerts, and cultural experiences marking 50 years of Pride in DC. This week’s highlights include the start of the WorldPride Film Festival, the annual Pride Flag Raising by The Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs, the Capital Cup Sports Festival kickoff, and the Welcome Ceremony and Concert by Colombian superstar Shakira. WorldPride DC features a vibrant and innovative slate of programming, with cultural events to inspire, connect, and empower the global LGBTQ+ community. The growing calendar of activities highlights the diversity and inclusivity of Washington, DC.
Film Festival
Tuesday, May 27 through Thursday, May 29
The WorldPride 2025 Film Festival will feature films from a variety of invited filmmakers who submitted LGBTQ+ films of all genres and lengths to be screened in the nation’s capital to celebrate 50 years of Pride in DC. These films showcase thought-provoking and inspiring stories from a diversity of filmmakers, sharing authentic experiences that enrich lives and, through shared revelation, bring us closer together. The WorldPride 2025 Film Festival is collaboratively produced by the WorldPride Arts & Culture Committee and the Queer Film Institute and sponsored by Alamo Drafthouse Cinema. Visit here to purchase tickets.
The District of PRIDE Showcase
Wednesday, May 28, 6:30PM - 9:00PM
World Pride presents the District of PRIDE Showcase in partnership with The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs (MOLGBTQA) and The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. Hosted by the legendary Rayceen Pendarvis and Charity Blackwell, the District of Pride Showcase is a night of entertainment and performances showcasing the diverse talents of our local LGBTQIA+ community. The showcase will take place at the historic Lincoln Theatre with the opening act by the iconic Shi-Queeta Lee and headlined by the hilarious Paris Sashay. There will be dancers, singers, drag performances, poetry, and more. For tickets, visit here.
Pride Flag Raising
Thursday, May 29 at 3:30PM
The Mayor's Office of LGBTQ Affairs will host a special flag raising as the city welcomes visitors from around the globe to Washington, DC for WorldPride. Mayor Bowser and DC officials will kick off a historic Pride Month by raising the LGBTQIA+ Pride Flag at the John A. Wilson Building with a brief ceremony. Full details can be found here.
Capital Cup Sports Festival
Friday, May 30 through Wednesday, June 4
Washington, DC boasts one of the most extensive local networks of LGBTQ+ sports teams and leagues in the world and WorldPride is proud to celebrate these communities during the inaugural Capital Cup Sports Festival, in partnership with Team DC. Each of these leagues—along with their athletes, administrators, and volunteers—welcome teams from around the globe to participate in nearly 25 different sporting events. The festival will take place at multiple venues across the city. The full schedule can be found here.
World Pride Welcome Party Benefiting Capital Cup
Friday, May 30 through Saturday, May 31
To kickoff the Capital Cup Sports Festival, BERTHA will host an epic outdoor/indoor day into night celebration on Friday, May 30 and Saturday, May 31. This is where sports meet sound, and community meets celebration. The weekend will feature music, movement, and outdoor magic with an incredible lineup of DJs and live performances, outdoor dancefloors, sunbathing areas to soak in the energy, lounge zones, food, and more. Purchase single day or weekend tickets here.
Welcome Ceremony and Concert
Saturday, May 31; Gates open at 5:30PM
WorldPride 2025 will kick off the Welcome Ceremony at Nationals Park with remarks from key dignitaries and the welcoming of the Capital Cup athletes. The memorable celebration will showcase the rich history and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community in Washington, DC and around the globe. WorldPride 2025, will also mark the 50th anniversary of the city’s Pride celebrations concurrently with WorldPride, May 17 – June 8, 2025. Global superstar Shakira will bring her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour, produced by LiveNation, to Washington, DC as the official headliner for WorldPride DC 2025’s Welcome Concert on Saturday, May 31 at Nationals Park. Known for her dynamic and high-energy performances, Shakira will bring tracks from her new album and her legendary catalog of hits to life on stage. This tour marks her first since 2018’s El Dorado World Tour that took her across the globe. Tickets are limited and can be purchased here.
WorldPride Welcome Center
The WorldPride Welcome Center is the perfect space for locals and visitors from around the world to recharge, connect, and celebrate. The center will be open from now through June 8 at 737 7th St. NW between G and H Streets. The center offers phone charging stations, a Fabric of Freedom lounge area, official WorldPride 2025 merchandise for sale, light snacks and beverages, and a curated art exhibit. Sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt and Drag Story Time will also take place at the WorldPride Welcome Center. A full list of events taking place within the space can be found here. .
Pride365 App
Just in time for WorldPride, The Capital Pride Alliance is proud to partner with Think Nimble and The Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs to launch the Pride365 mobile app. Developed specifically to address the needs of the LGBTQ+ community, the Pride365 app serves as a local guide for all things WorldPride and beyond. It offers updated information on the parade and free two-day street festival, curated event itineraries based upon specific interests, and real-time alerts from WorldPride leadership. The Pride365 app is designed as a valuable tool to enhance the experience and safety of LGBTQ+ community members and allies participating in WorldPride events across Washington, DC. It will remain available and updated indefinitely as a valuable new resource for visitors and DC’s thriving local community. To download the Pride365 mobile app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, simply search “Pride365” or visit pride365.org.
Media can find press images here. Please credit all photos courtesy of Capital Pride Alliance.
About The Capital Pride Alliance
The Capital Pride Alliance (CPA), located in Washington, DC, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community all year long, through educational programs, major events, fundraising, outreach and advocacy, providing platforms for visibility, and supporting the work of our many community organizations and local businesses.
About WorldPride DC 2025
WorldPride DC 2025, hosted by the Capital Pride Alliance, will take place in the heart of the nation’s capital from May 17 to June 8, 2025. The global celebration will feature two weeks of parades, festivals, marches, exhibits, and cultural programming. For more information, visit www.worldpridedc.org.
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