Fun and Free Guide to NY Pride

Whether you’re an LGBTQ+ family or community supporters looking for fun ways to celebrate, New York is a great place to start. See all the different family-friendly happenings your tribe can check out in celebration of LGBTQ+ pride — and make a mini vacation out of it.

Start with a little music at Sing Out! New York, a music festival by the Albany Symphony in Troy. This free, ticketed festival takes over May 30–June 9, celebrating human rights through live music and fun. Enjoy performances by more than 55 artists, including musicians and reenactors, family sing-alongs and fireworks.

Pride on the beach. Photo: I LOVE NY

Toward the end of the month on Long Island, families flock to Harvey Milk’s birthplace in celebration of Pride on the Beach, June 21–23. With more than 30,000 travelers and locals in attendance, the beach party really kicks up with a Pet Pride Parade and various LGBTQ+ events, including concerts and even worship services.

Also hosted June 21, families in New York City can enjoy a classic Family Movie Night at Pier 45. The free event is kid-friendly and hosted by drag legend Miss Richfield 1981.

Over in the Hudson Valley area, families head to Picnic with the Roosevelts: A Human Rights Celebration. Enjoy tours of the Home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, FDR Presidential Library and Museum, and the Eleanor Roosevelt home. Listen in on talks about Eleanor Roosevelt’s work, life and devotion to protecting human rights, while feasting on hot dogs. The menu item is no accident, either, as the Hot Dog Summit Lunch is in honor of the 1939 dinner where the Roosevelts famously served hot dogs to dinner guests King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Check out discounted train tickets from New York City to the event.

While in New York City, the NYC Pride March is a must-see. Celebrated June 30, the march began in 1970 and is an all-ages event, including live performers, floats and costume-clad guests.

NYC Pride March. Photo: Christopher Gagliardi, I LOVE NY

A little further upstate, families can road trip to Niagara Falls for Pride at the Falls, July 5. Another free event, families enjoy a Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra concert together with the falls lit in rainbow colors and fireworks exploding in the distance.

Fireworks over the Falls. Photo: I LOVE NY

For more about New York Pride celebrations, check out the full list here with tips and tricks for getting around the bustling city and vast state and what family-friendly attractions to check out along the way.