June Pride Events
Central New York Pride returns for 2025 with a celebration of Revolutionary Love, unveiling a new and existing slate of events that reflect the strength, diversity, and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community. This year’s celebration includes the yearly parade and festival, as well as new programming that centers joy, justice, and community connection.
CNY Pride is an all-volunteer, not-for-profit organization dedicated to empowering and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies - this year’s Pride invites everyone to take part in honoring love as a radical force for change. Since its incorporation in 1996, CNY Pride has worked to create inclusive and affirming spaces throughout the Syracuse area, welcoming people of all identities, backgrounds, and abilities.
“CNY Pride has always been about being proud of who we are - both individually and as a collective,” said President Jimmy Monto. “While the environment may have changed this year, our mission remains the same: to uplift the Central New York LGBTQIA+ community and our allies through visibility, celebration, and united action.”
The schedule for Pride in
Central New York includes:
SATURDAY, MAY 31
Annual Syracuse Progress First Light Flag Raising
11am | City Hall | 233 E Washington St, Syracuse, NY
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The Progress First Light hybrid flag, unique to Syracuse and designed by Syracuse native Eric Hart, symbolizes “Dawn’s first light over Syracuse” and reflects the land, people, and spirit of the region. Its elements honor the Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee, the area's geography, and local history, with colors representing restoration, perseverance, industriousness, and peace.
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Electric Love: CNY Pride Month Kickoff party
9pm | Gilded Club | 415 S Clinton St, Syracuse, NY | $15 +fees
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Light up the start of Pride Month with a neon-themed dance party hosted by Arya Klos and featuring DJ Ben Sobyne. With performances by Ma’amShe and Yuka Liptis, Electric Love invites you to glow, move, and feel the pulse of queer community from night one.
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SUNDAY, JUNE 1
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Town of Dewitt Pride Month Flag Raising Ceremony - 2:45pm
2:45pm | Dewitt Town Hall | 5400 Butternut Road, East Syracuse, NY
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As in years past, the Town of DeWitt will host its annual Progress Pride Flag raising ceremony. Join this joyful celebration featuring speakers, music, dancing, performances, snacks, refreshments, local vendors, and more.
Cordero Collective Pride Kickoff Party & Tattoo Flash Sale
11am | Cordero Collective Tattoos | 2105 W. Genesee St, Syracuse, NY
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Kick off Pride Month with Cordero Collective’s third annual Pride Tattoo Flash Sale! Tattoo flash ranges from $20-$120 depending on the design you choose. This year, the event is bigger and better than ever, with new vendors, live trivia hosted by local drag queen Arya Klos, and on site service providers such as a gender affirming barber offering cuts and a nail tech offering custom nail sets. We’ll have tabletop gaming provided by Syracuse Gaymers, food trucks, and a live DJ and Photo Booth!
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THURSDAY, JUNE 5
Pride Night with the Syracuse Mets
5pm | NBT Bank Stadium | 1 Tex Simone Drive, Syracuse, NY
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It's Pride Night with the Syracuse Mets! Tailgate starts at 5. Giveaways, deals on dogs and brews...enjoy great music on the deck and party with Come Out CNY and Syracuse Guerrilla Gay Events! All are welcome!
» Buy Tickets
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SUNDAY, JUNE 8
Syracuse Guerrilla Gay Cafe: Pride Edition!
2pm | Kelsey’s Coffee & Friends | 1200 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY
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Guerrilla Gay Cafe is a monthly queer takeover event to promote queer visibility and positivity in Syracuse and Central New York. Guerrilla Gay Cafes happen on a weekend afternoon in a local coffee shop or venue where consumption of alcohol is not the central focus. Join us for this special Pride edition Guerrilla Gay Cafe!
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TUESDAY, JUNE 10
Pride Interfaith Service - 7pm
7pm | May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society
3800 East Genesee Street, Syracuse, NY
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This event is a beautiful gathering of people of all faiths to celebrate queer joy. It’s become a beloved Pride Month healing tradition and all are welcome!
THURSDAY, JUNE 12 & FRIDAY, JUNE 13
New! Pride Ethos: A Living Exhibit - 7pm
7pm | Everson Museum of Art | 401 Harrison St, Syracuse, NY
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Pride Ethos is a two-night celebration of queer artistry featuring drag, burlesque, dance, and theatre in unexpected places throughout the museum. Suggested donation of $30 or pay what you can - one ticket gets you access to both shows, with a different cast each night.
​Pride Ethos: A Living Exhibit is a production of Breadcrumbs Productions, GoJo Productions and Come Out CNY, and is made possible with funds from the Tier Three Project Support program, a regrant program of the County of Onondaga with the support of the County Executive and administered by CNY Arts, and with support from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA).
FRIDAY, JUNE 13
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New! Queer Happy Hour: Pride Edition
5pm | Salt City Coffee & Bar | 484 S. Salina St, Syracuse, NY
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Come join us for a fabulous evening of queer networking at Salt City Coffee and Bar! Enjoy half-priced punch, their full cocktail and mocktail menu and array of beers on tap, and of course the company of other queers excited to get the weekend started off right! And if hunger strikes, the Salt City Market has tons of great food options to explore!
Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus: Summer Concert
7pm | May Memorial Universalist Unitarian Church
3800 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13214​
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The Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus community ensemble will perform its eclectic and entertaining offerings of quality choral music that reflects and unites us.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 14
Manlius Pride Festival
12pm | Seneca Street Brew Pub | 315 E. Seneca St, Manlius, NY
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Now in its fourth year, the Manlius Pride Festival returns for an evening of celebration, solidarity, and community spirit. Enjoy live music, theatrical performances, local art vendors, food trucks, and a joyful, inclusive atmosphere at Seneca Street Brew Pub.
Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus: Summer Concert
2pm | May Memorial Universalist Unitarian Church
3800 E Genesee St, Syracuse, NY 13214
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The Syracuse Gay and Lesbian Chorus community ensemble will perform its eclectic and entertaining offerings of quality choral music that reflects and unites us.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 20
CNY Pride Weekend Kickoff Party
6:30pm | Aloft Syracuse Inner Harbor | 310 W. Kirkpatrick St, Syracuse, NY
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Get the CNY Pride party started with the official CNY Pride weekend kickoff party, featuring live entertainment.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 21
CNY Pride Parade (11am) and Festival (12-5pm)
Progress Park, Inner Harbor, Syracuse, NY
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The CNY Pride Parade and Festival is a vibrant, family-friendly celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community, held annually at Progress Park in Syracuse’s Inner Harbor. The 2025 event is scheduled for Saturday, June 21, beginning with the parade at 11am, followed by the festival from 12pm to 5pm.
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The parade features an energetic, colorful procession along Solar Street and West Kirkpatrick Street, showcasing the diversity and resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community and its allies.
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The festival offers live entertainment, over 150 vendors, food and beverages, and a family-friendly area with activities for all ages. CNY Pride is committed to creating a safe, inclusive environment for all.
Pride Picnic
6pm | Wolf’s Den | 617 Wolf St, Syracuse, NY
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Don’t miss the Pride Picnic hosted by the Wolf’s Den - good food and great company in a safe and inclusive space for all. Bring your friends and your fabulous self!
Pride After Party Featuring Jaida Essence Hall
9pm (Doors open at 8pm) | Song and Dance | 115 E Jefferson St, Syracuse, NY | $25-$64 +fees
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Cap off your Pride weekend in Syracuse with a dazzling night of drag and dancing at the CNY Pride After Party, headlined by Jaida Essence Hall, winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 12 and a fan favorite from the all-winners edition of All Stars 7. With appearances in Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty fashion show and international tours under her belt, Jaida brings world-class charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent to the stage.
This is a can’t-miss event for Pride visitors looking for nightlife that delivers style, star power, and pure celebration.
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SATURDAY, JUNE 28
New! Revolutionary Love Dance Party
9pm | Salt City Coffee & Bar | 484 S. Salina St, Syracuse, NY | $15 + Fees
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End Pride Month the way we started it: dancing, glowing, and loving out loud. This 70s-themed dance party brings disco energy and radical joy to the heart of downtown. It’s as if Meet Cute Events and Come Out CNY had a disco baby!
Hosted by Samantha Vega and Valentino Rose and featuring music by DJ Cassidy and food by Ellerae Tacos, it’s the perfect final act for a month of queer celebration.
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The new events offered this year were developed through a partnership with Come Out CNY, a newly-founded local organization that promotes and celebrates the diversity of Central New York’s LGBTQIA+ community by highlighting inclusive businesses, events, and spaces that go beyond acceptance to foster belonging. The organization began as Syracuse Guerrilla Gay Bar - a series of pop up events at local businesses where the queer community could gather - and has grown into a broader effort to promote safe, joyful, and visible spaces for queer connection and community across the Central New York region.
“We are expanding the event offerings this year as this is a way to show up for the LGBTQIA+ community - here in Central New York and beyond. It’s more important than ever to reach out, connect with your friends, and support local queer artists, businesses, and organizers,” said Kevin Bailey, Founder of Come Out CNY.
CNY Pride is proud to support Pride events throughout the Central New York region, including Manlius on June 14, Cazenovia on June 28, Rochester and Cortland on July 19. Please visit https://www.comeoutcentralnewyork.com/ for more information.