EVENTS IN THE REGION
Shea Diamond at Capital Pride Festival and Concert
Credit : Ted Eytan for Capital Pride
WORLDPRIDE 2025 : WASHINGTON , DC PREPARES FOR A GLOBAL CELEBRATION
In 2025 , Washington , D . C ., will host WorldPride , a global celebration of LGBTQ + pride and culture . The event , themed “ The Fabric of Freedom ,” will take place from May 17 to June 8 , 2025 , and will mark the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in the nation ’ s capital .
To kick off the festivities , a spectacular welcome concert will be held at Nationals Park on May 31 , featuring a performance by Colombian pop sensation Shakira . This momentous event will be followed up by a series of equally stellar events , including a Human Rights Conference from June 4 - 6 , which will bring together activists , scholars , and policymakers to discuss pressing issues facing the LGBTQ + community ; Capital Pride Honors , a globally live-streamed gala celebration honoring outstanding individuals , leaders , and activists in the National Capital Region who have furthered causes important to the LGBTQ + community ; a WorldPride Music Festival and Global Dance Party from June 6 - 7 spanning three stages and featuring multiple acts presented by Jake Resnicow ’ s Dreamland , the team behind the historic WorldPride Event at the Javits Center in New York City in 2019 which Madonna headlined ; and , of course , the iconic World Pride Parade which will march from Logan Circle to Pennsylvania Avenue for the first time in history .
The event will then culminate with a two-day World Pride Street Festival , an International March on Washington and Rally , and an epic WorldPride Closing Concert featuring various notable artists and allies .
Before the official kickoff event on May 31 , Washington , D . C . will also host Trans Pride Washington , DC ( May 17 – 18 ), Black Pride DC ( May 23 – 26 ), a Pride Film Festival ( May 23 – June 1 ), and an International Choral Festival featuring several GALA choruses from around the country that will launch on May 23 and run through the end of the festival on June 8 .
CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2025 IN WASHINGTON , D . C .
Washington , D . C ., the heartbeat of American history and culture , is set to host a dizzying array of events to mark Black History Month in 2025 . This year ’ s theme , “ African Americans and Labor ,” will highlight the profound impact of Black labor on the nation ’ s development from slavery to contemporary times .
Fittingly , one of the most anticipated events on next year ’ s calendar of events is the Annual Black History Month Luncheon , organized by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History ( ASALH ). Scheduled for Feb . 22 , this luncheon will bring together scholars , activists , and community leaders to discuss the contributions of African Americans to the labor movement and their ongoing fight for economic justice . This august event will be further amplified by the ASALH ’ s Black History Month Virtual Festival ,
which will commence on Feb . 1 , and feature a series of online events , including panel discussions , lectures , and more , all centered around this year ’ s theme .
Likewise , the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture will host several special exhibits and events throughout February to honor Black History Month . These exhibits and events will delve into the history of African American labor , showcasing artifacts , photographs , and personal stories that highlight the struggles and triumphs of Black workers . Additionally , the museum will offer educational programs and workshops for visitors of all ages .
Meanwhile , the entire city will be abuzz with a number of events , including the Heritage Signature Chorale ’ s 25th Anniversary Black History Concert , set for Feb . 22 , at the First Congregational UCC . This landmark celebration of African American musical traditions will be complemented by an assortment of cultural activities , such as the Black Broadway Cultural Heritage Private Walking Tour , which offers an immersive journey into the history of D . C .’ s iconic Shaw neighborhood . Additionally , educational institutions like Howard University and venues across the city will host numerous workshops and programs delving into African American history and culture .
For more information on these events and to stay updated on additional activities , be sure to visit the official websites of the hosting organizations and local cultural institutions .
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 46 WINTER 2024-25