Cut Through The Chaos With These Five Winning New York City Pride Events

Navigayting New York Pride can be overwhelming to say the least. There are millions of things to do and see.

Amidst all the noise, here are five events that are sure to please the children (and by children I mean questionably responsible adults).

1. bARTche at The Hotel Chelsea, opening reception June 26, 7-10 p.m.

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If you’ve ever been to one of Susanne Bartche’s legendary parties, you know how much collaborative creativity goes into producing her events, from over-the-top fashion to other worldly art pieces.

bARTche puts that artistic talent center stage, including the work of Ryan Burke, One-Half Nelson, MuffinHead, Gage of the Boone and Erickatoure Aviance.

Susanne recently told HuffPost: “These artists are incredible and they can get lost in that party whirlwind. [The purpose of] this exhibition is to take something I find really inspiring and really innovative and put it in a different context in order to showcase the massive talents of these artists.”

2. The Rally, June 27, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

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The first NYC Pride Rally occurred one month after the Stonewall Riots in June 1969, when 500 people gathered for a “Gay Power” demonstration in Washington Square Park, followed by a candlelight vigil in Sheridan Square.

Today the event has grown into a powerhouse event featuring celebrity talent (this year’s emcee is Michelle Visage), comedians and moving speakers.

And it’s free! You’ll be spending plenty of money later so enjoy it while it lasts.

3. The Drag March, June 27, 8 p.m.(ish)

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What better way to kick your pride weekend into full swing than by strapping on your highest heels and marching the streets of Manhattan with a throng of drag queens?

Gather at the 8th street entrance to Tompkins Square Park to call out the corners. The March begins at 8-ish and finishes at the Stonewall Inn crosstown in the West Village where much fabulousness ensues.

4. Wythe + Gayletter Pride Ball, June 27, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.

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Expect pageantry, trophies, voguing, cakes, special performances, plus DJ sets by the likes of Amber Martin, Juliana Huxtable, Casey Spooner & more. Guest hosts Frankie Sharp and Leo Gugu will do you right, and there’s a special performance by House of LaBeija to round things out.

5. Dance on the Pier, June 29, 4-10 p.m.

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This is the Pride dance of all Pride dances, and for its 28th year the event returns to Hudson River Park’s Pier 26 in TriBeCa.

All proceeds from the Dance on the Pier benefit New York City’s Official Pride events and other local LGBT community organizations.

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