Capital Pride Washington 2026

A Capital Pride in a Capital City – Washington Pride 2026

Enjoy 10 days of parties, events and activities in the lead up to a weekend of marches and festivals, both festive and political in nature during Washington’s annual pride event.

• Stay in Dupont Circle in the heart of the gay district. The area fills up fast. Our top choice for Pride is The Ven Hotel with great décor and superb amenities.

Capital Pride

• Next Edition: Awaiting dates – Typically early June.
• Amidst the historic monuments and tree-lined avenues of Washington D.C., Capital Pride emerges every year as a brilliant spectacle of love, acceptance, and unity.
• This vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community paints the U.S. capital in rainbows, with a week-long roster of events from dance parties to thought-provoking panel discussions.
• Whether you’re donning a feathered boa or just soaking in the ambiance, Capital Pride promises an unforgettable fusion of activism, celebration, and community spirit in the heart of America’s political landscape. Prepare for a dazzling display of D.C. at its most colorful and inclusive.
• The theme for DC Pride 2024 is ‘Totally radical’ a nod to 80s and 90s, “celebrating the courageous spirit and unwavering strength and resilience that defined the LGBTQ+ community during the transformative decades of the 1980s and ‘90s,”.

Key Events

• Washington, DC Gay Pride hosts two impressive events including the Capital Pride Parade on Saturday, and the Annual Capital Pride Street Festival the following day.

RIOT – Official Opening Party

• Friday – Awaiting dates – RIOT, The Capital Pride official Opening Party from 9 pm at Echo stage featuring a line-up of both local, national, and world-famous queer performance artists to represent those who truly make up DC’s crazy-talented inclusive LGBTQ+ community. Kick off your Pride weekend at DC’s largest Pride party and main event.
• The event runs until 3.30 am. Over 18s only.

Washington Pride Parade

• Sunday – Awaiting dates
• Staging: On 15th Street NW, between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm
• Step off: 14th Street at T Street NW, at 3:00 pm
• Finish: Pennsylvania Avenue at 9th Street NW
• Stay close to the Hotel Madera just a short walk from the parade. The 4 star hotel is rated “Fabulous” by guests with spacious rooms and modern decor. 

Pride Block Party

• Awaiting dates – 12:00pm – 10:00pm .The Block Party returns for Capital Pride 2024. Enjoy entertainment, food, and your favorite beverage before, during, and after the Parade.
• The block party takes place on 17th Street NW, between P and R Streets, in what was once the historic Dupont Circle gayborhood.
• Enjoy two beverage gardens with an exclusive view of the Capital Pride parade from 3 pm to 8 pm.

Capital Pride Street Festival

• Sunday – Awaiting dates –  In the shadows of the U.S. Capitol Building, more than 200,000 people will attend the Capital Pride Street Festival, which takes place at Pennsylvania Ave. NW between 3rd and 7th streets, just northwest of the Capitol grounds.
• Enjoy a full day of entertainment on three stages, food, drink, and advocacy with over 300 exhibitors. The Festival is the largest annual event in the national capital region. It runs from 12:00 noon – 10:00 pm.
• Food trucks will operate from noon until 7 pm at the Monument food court and noon until 9 pm at the Senate food court
• (on Constitution Avenue, north of Pennsylvania Avenue and near the Capitol Stage).
• Stay close to the city’s pride events and top attractions at The Citizen M DC Capitol, rated “Fabulous” by guests with stylish suites offering big picture windows overlooking the Capitol. 

Capital Pride Concert

• Sunday, Awaiting dates –  12pm – 10pm – Experience entertainment on three stages, from international headliners to our best local and regional LGBTQ+ talent.
• Capitol Stage,  1pm – 8pm Concert, followed by Sunset Dance Party – from 8 pm to 10 pm.
  The Capitol Stage sits at the east end of the festival on Pennsylvania Ave. at 3rd St. with the United States Capitol as the backdrop. It will include headlining international entertainers and showcase some of the best LGBTQ+ talent. This stage includes a VIP Zone, Pit Zone, Accessibility Zone, and is located near the Capitol Beverage Garden and Capitol Food Court. Open to all ages.
• Dupont Stage, 12pm – 8pm
  The Dupont Dance Stage will highlight some of the best local DJ’s and offer the best escape from the hot sun. This stage is located within the Dupont Beverage Garden. * Must be 21 to enter.
• Monument Stage, 12pm – 7pm
  The Monument Festival Stage sits on Constitution Avenue and 6th St. with the Washington Monument as the backdrop. It will include a diverse array of musical talent offerings. This stage is located within the Monument Beverage Garden and Food Court. Open to all ages.
• Stay close to the concert at the Capitol Hill Hotel, a 4 star hotel with spacious rooms a fitness centre and friendly staff.

“Capitol” Sunset Dance Party

• Sunday – Awaiting dates – The Concert might be ending but the dancing continues at the “Capitol” Sunset Dance Party.
• Enjoy the electronica sounds of an international DJ sensation while you dance in the middle of America’s Main Street on Pennsylvania Ave., with the sun setting on the U.S. Capitol.

Pride on The Pier

• Awaiting dates  – Don’t miss the annual Pride on the Pier Fireworks Show presented by the Leonard-Litz Foundation during Capital Pride.

Circuit Parties

• Awaiting dates –  Washington DC – Kinetic Pride , a weekend of circuit events in the city’s top clubs. Events include the Splash Party, Uncut XL, a main event and ends with discoVERS.

DC Pride Pool Party

• Awaiting dates – DC Pride Pool Party – Enjoy an evening under the stars, in the rooftop pool of the Penthouse Pool Club & Lounge; the classic kick off evening of DC pride

Gay Washington DC

All the gay bars and clubs in Washington host different party nights and themed events during the pride festivities. Most are located within walking distance or a short taxi ride from Pennsylvania Avenue.

• Dupont Circle: One of the most traditional gay neighborhoods in the area, Dupont Circle is full of interesting shops, cafes, bookstores, bars, and restaurants all geared toward the LGBTQ community.
• Capitol Hill: Capitol Hill is elegant and informed. Here you can find restaurants, markets, crafts, antiques, and all types of unique entertainment.
• Columbia Heights: Columbia Heights is a predominantly Latino area that welcomes the LGBTQ community with open arms. In the past five years, the area has been revitalized. It is home to as a weekly farmer’s market, some great delis and bakeries, the GALA Hispanic Theater, and Mexican Cultural Institute.

Where to stay for Capital Pride

Here are the hotels we recommend that have good reviews and keep you close to all the action:

Hotel Palomar,    The Dupont,    Rouge Hotel,    Mason & Rook Hotel