Washington, D.C., is set to host WorldPride 2025 from May 17 to June 8, marking the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in the city. Organized by the Capital Pride Alliance, the event is expected to draw between 2 to 3 million attendees, making it one of the largest LGBTQ+ gatherings globally.

The festival will feature a diverse array of events, including parties, rallies, concerts, and parades. Notable performers scheduled to participate include Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, RuPaul, and Tinashe. Key events include the Welcome Concert on May 31, the WorldPride Music Festival on June 6–7, the WorldPride Parade and Street Festival on June 7–8, and the International March and Rally on June 8. Many of these events offer free entry.

The festival will also host community-centered events for groups such as Latinx Pride, Trans Pride, Black Pride, API Pride, Silver Pride, and those with disabilities. Additional programming includes sports tournaments like the Capital Cup, the Night OUT at the Nationals on June 5, and cultural highlights such as a theater festival, film festival, drag shows, and concerts featuring opera, house, electronic, and choral performances.

In response to safety concerns influenced by the political climate under President Trump's administration, organizers are implementing heightened security measures, including gated entries and designated safe spaces. Several countries, including Germany, Ireland, and Denmark, have issued travel warnings to their LGBTQ+ citizens. Major sponsors such as Booz Allen Hamilton, Deloitte, and Comcast have withdrawn support for the event. To counter anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments, the Capital Pride Alliance has launched the "Paint the World" initiative to encourage visible community support throughout Washington, D.C.

The festival's theme, "The Fabric of Freedom," emphasizes unity and global activism, reflecting the event's commitment to inclusivity and human rights.

The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., has canceled a series of events for the Tapestry of Pride, originally scheduled from June 5–8, intended to celebrate LGBTQ+ rights during the upcoming WorldPride festival. Organizers reported the cancellations occurred quietly following a February leadership overhaul, in which President Donald Trump dismissed both the president and chairman of the Kennedy Center, subsequently installing loyalists on the board and becoming chairman himself. Several events, including queer performances and a portion of the AIDS Memorial Quilt exhibition, have since been relocated to alternate venues such as the Strathmore Theater and the WorldPride welcome center in Chinatown. In response, the Capital Pride Alliance has cut ties with the Kennedy Center.

WorldPride 2025 serves as a significant platform for advocating LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, especially in the context of current political challenges. The event's extensive programming and international participation underscore the ongoing struggle for equality and the importance of community solidarity.

The Capital Pride Alliance is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the LGBTQ+ community in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. It organizes the annual Capital Pride events and works to promote inclusivity, visibility, and equality for LGBTQ+ individuals.

As the festival approaches, organizers and attendees remain committed to celebrating the progress made over the past five decades while acknowledging the challenges that persist. WorldPride 2025 stands as a testament to the resilience and unity of the LGBTQ+ community, striving for a future where freedom and equality are woven into the fabric of society.