New York City Gay Pride — June 23-30, 2013

New York is the city of Stonewall — the place activists and historians most often associate as the launching pad for the modern gay rights movement. As such, New York is arguably the ultimate Gay Pride destination in the United States, mixing together crowd pleasing festivities with a strong political punch and incredible history — all in one massive week.

While there are numerous parties and club-sponsored outings throughout the city, the official NYC Pride celebration is anchored by these major events: The Rally (June 28); the VIP Rooftop Party and Rapture on the River (both on June 29); and PrideFest, The March, and Dance on the Pier (all on June 30).

Get the details on all official events for NYC Pride 2013 below, and we hope to see you there!

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SATURDAY, JUNE 29

VIP Rooftop Pride Party

Dance on one of the most exclusive rooftop venues overlooking one of the greatest cities in the world, during the best weekend of the year! Three levels of fun with a retractable glass roof if it decides to rain. Appearing at a single event together for the first time, DJs Serving Ovahness, Marco Da Silva, and house legend Frankie Knuckles will be burning up the dance floors. Tickets sold out early last year, so get yours now! (You must be 21+ older.)

WHEN
2:00 PM - 10:00 PM

WHERE
Hudson Terrace
621 W. 46th St.

TICKETS
$49 advanced General Admission

Rapture on the River

Rapture on the River is the event for all lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer-identified women. It takes place after the Dyke March and the night before the official NYC Pride March. This year it's celebrating the 10th anniversary and moving back outdoors to Hudson River Park's Pier 26. Music provided by Miami favorite DJ Dimples, along with headliner DJ Whitney Day.

WHEN
3:00 PM - 10:00 PM

WHERE
Hudson River Park's Pier 26 on West St. in Tribeca

TICKETS
$25 in advance, $35 day of the party.
$75 VIP ticket includes open bar for the entire event, complimentary access to the official Rapture after-party, Pier Pressure, fresh fruit, and more.

SUNDAY, JUNE 30

The March

The first NYC Pride March was held in 1970 and has since become one of the most important annual civil rights demonstrations any given year. The 2013 Grand Marshals are Supreme Court DOMA challenger Edith Windsor, seminal entertainer Harry Belafonte, and black Pride organizer Earl Fowlkes, all leading the 2013 March down Fifth Avenue.

WHEN: 12:00 Noon

WHERE: Starts at 36th Street & 5th Avenue, ends at Christopher & Greenwich Streets.
Download the 2013 Route Map
This event is free and open to the public.

PrideFest 2013

PrideFest is NYC's annual LGBT street fair, bringing together local residents and families, community leaders, and area business owners. Attracting thousands of out-of-state visitors and volunteers, this year’s PrideFest marks the 20th annual event — and is also totally free to attend!

WHEN: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM

WHERE: Hudson St. between Abingdon Sq. & West 14th St.
Click to view map
This event is free and open to the public. No tickets are necessary.

Dance on the Pier: Dance 27

According to the NYC Pride site, "The Dance on the Pier was born out of a time when LGBT persons could not dance openly and proudly together. It is a protest set to music, a celebration set to the western skyline and a reminder of how far we've come." For 2013, Dance on the Pier moves back to an outdoor venue at Hudson River Park’s Pier 26. Co-headlining this year are award-winning DJs Dave Audé and Oscar G., with an opening set from local rising star DJ Luis Perez. If that wasn't enough, it was announced this week that Cher and Deborah Cox are confirmed to perform!

WHEN
3:00 PM - 10:00 PM

WHERE
Hudson River Park's Pier 26 on West St. in Tribeca

TICKETS
$75 General Admission (Advance and VIP tickets sold out)

All proceeds from the Dance on the Pier: Dance 27 benefit New York City’s LGBT Pride Week events and community organizations.

Here's a wonderful clip of last year's Grand Marshal and Dance on the Pier headliner Cyndi Lauper performing a massive sing-a-long to her '80s hit and gay anthem "True Colors."