Justin’s Guide to Pride – His Three Favorites!

It’s safe to say that I love Pride festivals. I love the scale of them, the parties you can enjoy and the feeling of support and love that exists in our community. It’s important now, more than ever, that we still celebrate Pride in all its forms. The best Pride festivals are ones that offer something for everyone, not just a series of endless parties. I’ve been to a lot of Pride celebrations. Here’s my top three favorite Prides.

NYC PRIDE
New York feels like the epicenter of Pride festivities. New York is the birthplace of the Stonewall riots which gave way to the modern Gay Rights movement. (celebrating the 50th anniversary this year!) It is natural that New York would be vibrant and celebratory, annually marking the anniversary of the landmark push for equal rights. The Pride Parade, held the last Sunday of every June, marches down Fifth Avenue and passes Stonewall in tribute to those that fought for our future. Though I am a native New Yorker and resident, nowhere else truly has the energy of Pride like this city.

As such a populous city, New York also takes many cultural groups and families into consideration when planning events. There are also official events that are sponsored by Heritage of Pride as well as other smaller parties that cater to differing groups.

I am someone that enjoys a well-produced party. Over the course of Pride weekend, I attend several events with friends ranging from small house parties to the main events. Below are a few of my favorite recommendations:

The Pier Dance – The official closing party for New York Pride, the Pier Dance annually hosts thousands of attendees (most often gay men) on ‘Pride Island’ from late afternoon through dusk. The Pier Dance is the ultimate celebration. Apart from the large crowd, the spirit is usually upbeat and celebratory. Each year, a pop icon headlines the party and performs under an umbrella of fireworks and stars.

• SURVIVAL TIP 1: Make sure you purchase tickets in advance.
• SURVUVAL TIP 2: If you plan to attend Pier Dance and any after-party, take off the following Monday if at all possible. You will want the extra day to rest!

Heritage of Pride Parade – The Pride Parade is the ultimate festivity. Beginning Sunday morning, millions of spectators watch and cheer various groups who march for one cause: PRIDE. The marchers range from major LGBTQ sponsors (like Wells Fargo and Absolut) to LGBTQ organizations to various marching bands. As a marcher, there is no greater thrill than being involved in the procession. The energy is palpable. As a spectator, that same energy is felt as everyone shares in the movement together.

• SURVIVAL TIP 1: Choose a great spot along the parade route and plan for early arrival to ensure a good vantage point. Typically, the parade picks up steam along Christopher Street—but it also is the hardest place to find a spot as the crowd is usually 5 people deep at minimum.
• SURVIVAL TIP 2: Stay hydrated! Bring lots of water and snacks as the parade lasts for several hours. Once a spot it locked-down, you won’t want to give it up.

Friday Night – Pride weekend hosts a bevy of parties, many official events hosted by Heritage of Pride and dozens of satellite parties. Attending all events can be exhausting and daunting. Personally, I tend to go out Friday night (typically to Horse Meat Disco, my favorite event overall), relax Saturday, and spend Sunday reveling.

Atlanta Pride
Atlanta Pride is one event, unlike any other Pride celebration. For starters, the festivities are held in mid-October due the heat and to (wisely) avoid competition with other Prides that typically flood the month of June. The seasonal switch up is ideal as the temperature tends to be in the mid-70s with less humidity; the majority of activities take place outdoors in and around Piedmont Park.

Pride celebrations in the South are quite the affair. Similar to New York, however, events take place from Friday through Sunday. Nightly parties and after-parties are always teeming with energy. Yet, it is the day fest itself that truly separates Atlanta Pride from any other festival.

Atlanta Pride Festival – Piedmont Park, the green center to Atlanta’s midtown, is the epicenter for all official daytime activities. Featuring a marketplace with hundreds of vendors, one can easily meander through the park, eat from local restaurants, or just experience the atmosphere. The true draw is the afternoon tea. Beginning around 11am, thousands of revelers gather on the Park’s lawn, pitch party tents, drink, and have a great time. A mainstage features an array of musical acts. This event is the antithesis of something like New York Pride where much is scattered. Sometimes, nothing can top being with dozens of good friends in the sun for a few hours.

• SURVIVAL TIP 1: If you plan to host a tent at the Park, be sure to check any permit requirements.
• SURVIVAL TIP 2: The Park allows open containers, so make sure you stock a cooler!

Pride Parade – Marching through Midtown (which contains the majority), the parade is truly an exercise in fun. People line the streets, and adjoining bars, to cheer on the marchers. Parades like these are inexplicable; the energy just needs to be experienced firsthand.

• SURVIVAL TIP: Typically, the gay bars along the parade route host viewing parties. Arrive on the earlier side to ensure there is a space – preferably one near beer vendor!

Sunday Funday – If late-night parties aren’t your forte, Sunday afternoon at the bars is a bustling and thrilling time. Majority of gay bars in Atlanta are situated in few block radius from one another. Most host outdoor parties for the parade that last until late evening. One venue uses its parking lot for a big affair with several DJs and food/drink stands.

• SURVIVAL TIP: Though outside and less of a scene than many parties, Sunday afternoon is still part of Pride and thus crowded. Be sure to go with a group of buddies and stay together!

After Hours – Atlanta Pride is certainly known for its outdoor fun, but to a group of nightlife enthusiasts, it is the nightly parties and after-hours events that make the weekend. Most nights begin at Heretic, the bar and dance club. Unlike other clubs, most of the action takes place in the bar’s yard where one can spend hours chatting away with friends or dip inside for some marathon dancing. Enthusiasts typically move onto the Jungle, though sadly after thirteen years, the club has shut down due to new housing going up. There seems to be a new gay venue in the works that should be geared up in time for Pride.

Madrid Pride
Little can be said with text to describe the exuberance that is Madrid Pride. The crowd is massive, the parade unmatchable, and the festivities bar-none. In 2017, Madrid hosted World Pride. Seemingly, the energy was on a global scale. With Spain being a very open and accepting country, the atmosphere is freeing, which truly separates Madrid from other cities.

Much like New York, Madrid has a wealth of cultural institutions to fill one’s day. There are fewer daytime activities aimed for Pride aside from Sunday afternoon. This is the perfect opportunity to visit museums or explore cathedrals. The sun also sets close to 10pm during the time of Pride (early July) which makes it difficult to resist being outdoors. This also makes it challenging to rest for nighttime fun, when the city truly comes to life!

Pride Parade – Paseo del Prado, one of Madrid’s main (and most beautiful) streets, turns into what can only be described as a carnival. Beginning in the early afternoon, the parade begins at Plaza Emperador Carlos V. The route takes participants past the Prado Museum, amongst other beautiful buildings, and a park that runs the course of the entire street. Viewers are encouraged to take part in the march which becomes more of a walking party than a parade. The experience is unlike any other and people from across the spectrum are one, proud unit.

• SURVIVAL TIP: Stick with friends. It is easier to get lost than it is to remain as a unit.

Fabrik – 7,000 people (mostly male) dancing side by side. This venue is not for the faint of heart. WE Party, the party production company, pulls out all the tricks for the parties held at this venue. International DJs and choreographed dances highlight the party held here. Dates change according to year and party, but Fabrik will always be THE venue for all-out fun.

• SURVIVAL TIP: Wear something you are not afraid to lose. Shirts and hats are lost by the dozens.

Plaza de Chueca – The beauty of Madrid is how thriving the streets become during Pride. Chueca, the gay neighborhood in Madrid, is lively from mid-afternoon until the wee hours of the morning. People flood the streets, sitting on curbs with cocktails and simply enjoying their environ and friends. Plaza de Chueca, in particular, is a hotbed for fun and flirting. Grab a large to-go beer and just sit on the steps gazing.