Everything you need to know for the Pride Parade
The what, where, and when of Saturday’s Pride events.
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Last year’s Boston Pride celebration was a bit larger than usual. The organization celebrated the 45th edition of the Boston Pride Parade, and the festivities were naturally extended when, less than two weeks after the parade, the Supreme Court guaranteed same-sex couples the right to marry in a landmark decision.
Building on that energy, this year’s Boston Pride has expanded from its traditional 10-day Pride Week to an entire Pride Month, with over 40 events celebrating everything LGBTQ during the month of June.
Arguably the biggest events, however, occur this Saturday, as City Hall plays host to the Pride Festival and Concert, and serves as the finish line of the Pride Parade route. Here’s what you need to know about Saturday’s festivities.
A group of children cheer as pride participants walk by during the 2015 pride parade.
When to go: The Pride Festival is scheduled to kick off at City Hall around 11 a.m., but since the party goes until 7 p.m., you may want to check out part of the parade route instead, which starts in Copley Square at noon. If you’re headed to the start of the route, get there a bit earlier than that. If you’re planning to catch the parade farther down the route, any time between 12:30 or 1 should be ok.
Where to go: The parade route begins in Back Bay at Copley Square, at the corner of Boylston and Clarendon Street. It dips into the South End by heading down Clarendon, takes a left on Tremont, a left on Berkeley, a right back onto Boylston, a left on Charles, a right onto Beacon, and a final left back onto Tremont before arriving in Government Center. If Copley Square is too packed, catching the parade on Charles Street as it goes between the Boston Common and Public Garden is a good bet.
What to expect: Thousands of people marching, cheering, dancing, and riding through the heart of Boston. Thanks to warm weather, last year’s turnout was estimated at 25,000 people. There will be participants of all ages from all walks of life, including groups from churches, high schools, and after-school centers. Don’t be surprised if you see some eclectic outfits along the way, as well.
What to do before, during, and after: While the Pride Parade and Festival are the marquee Pride Week events, there are plenty of activities going on throughout the day. Saturday morning there will be services at three LGBTQ-friendly churches near the parade route — the 10 a.m. Pride Interfaith Service at Union United Methodist Church, the 11 a.m. Gay Pride Service at Arlington Street Church, and the 11 a.m. Pride Morning Service just down the street at Old South Church.
At City Hall, the Pride Festival and Concert will feature music from almost a dozen acts, including Australian singer-songwriter Conrad Sewell and America’s Got Talent semifinalist Samantha Johnson.
Once the Festival winds down around 7, the Boston Pride Youth Dance will be held at City Hall until 11 p.m. (tickets cost $10). Elsewhere, the official Pride After-Party at the Hard Rock Cafe starts at 7 p.m., (tickets cost $20), the LUSH Pride Party at Machine begins at 8 p.m. (tickets are $20), and the Shhh All-White Party at Causeway Bar kicks off at 10 p.m. (tickets are $15).
For even more activities happening this weekend and the rest of the month, check out the calendar of events on the Boston Pride website.
Parade participants walk through Back Bay during the 2015 Boston pride parade.
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