Everything to know for Philly Pride 2019

Every June, Philly goes all out for a day (sometimes more) of Pride festivities, from music, to a parade, to lots of food and fun.

But this year organizers are taking it up a notch.

This June marks 50 years since the Stonewall Uprising, a pivotal moment in LGBTQ history, when members of the community fought back against police harassment outside the Stonewall Inn, in Greenwich Village New York. It is largely considered one of the main events that sparked the LGBTQ civil rights movement across the country, and it’s been honored with an anniversary parade every year since. In fact, Philly was one of the first cities to participate in the celebration, holding its first Pride parade in 1972.

Now, to honor the 50th anniversary of the historic moment, Philly is holding the biggest-ever Pride parade and festival, with the theme “Stonewall 50.”

The parade, which travels through the city and ends with the giant festival at Penns Landing, is always a jam-packed event. In order to save yourself some headache dealing with the crowd on a hot summer day, here’s everything to know before you go:

If you want to learn more about some LGBTQ landmarks and their history, check out our map for Pride month.

When is Pride?

The main event—a parade and festival—is held this Sunday, June 9, with the parade kicking off at 11 a.m. in the Gayborhood and ending at Penns Landing around 1 p.m. The festival is held immediately following the parade.

There’s also a smaller block party tonight at 12th and Locust from 6 to 10 p.m., where you can buy discounted wristbands for the festival.

Where is Pride?

The parade starts at 13th and Locust at 11 a.m. and goes east on Locust, north on 7th, and East on Market before reaching Penn’s Landing around 1 p.m. That’s where the festival will be held for the remainder of the afternoon.

Via Googlemaps

Will streets be closed?

As with any large parade and festival, you can expect some traffic interruptions.

The first start Friday, due to the block party, when these streets will close at 5 p.m. until 11:30 p.m.:

• South 13th from Locust to Walnut
• Locust and Walnut from 12th to 13th

The bigger road closures come on Sunday, due to the parade. The entire route (see above) will close down to parking at midnight, and it will close down to cars at 11:30 a.m. Sunday. The route is expected to reopen at 3 p.m. the same day.

What are some things to expect?

There will be tons to see during the parade and festival but you should look out for some things in particular like Visit Philly’s 34-foot history-centered float, “Philadelphia Pioneers on the Road to Stonewall,” and the judging competition during the parade route at 6th and Market. Judges will award parade participants in categories like “best float” and “gayest in the parade,” writes PhillyVoice.

There’s also a big performer lineup at the festival Saturday, with comedians Fortune Feimster and Ian Harvie, as well as musical performances including Frenchie Davis, Dawn Robinson, and Rainere Martin, a Donna Summer tribute artist.

How do you get admitted to the festival?

You’ll need a wristband to get into the festival, which you can get at the block party tonight for $10, or along the parade route and at the festival gates for $15.