2026 Pride parades on Long Island
East Hampton's Pride parade features family-friendly events and performances by local musicians. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
June is Pride Month, which celebrates declarations of love, identity and community. The organizers of this year's parades and festivals on Long Island hope that those themes will be embraced by bigger-than-ever crowds.
The 36th annual Long Island Pride Parade and Festival in Huntington organized by the New York LGBT Network will take place on June 14.
"This year’s theme is Unstoppable Pride, a reflection of a strong Long Island community that continues to show up, stand strong and move forward together," says president of the parade and network David Kilmnick.
Here are five towns that are hosting free Pride parades and post-celebrations.
June 6: EAST HAMPTON
WHERE: Parade starts on Main Street, between the Presbyterian Church and Guild Hall
Andrea Grover, of Sag Harbor, blows bubbles while participating in the Hamptons Pride Parade. Credit: Newsday/Steve Pfost
Starting on Main Street between the Presbyterian Church and Guild Hall, the parade proceeds down to Newtown Lane over to Railroad Avenue and circles back to Herrick Park.
"The parade is very family-friendly," says Tom House, president of Hamptons Pride. "We make sure that everything is designed for people of any age. The parade consists of LGBTQIA+ people and their allies."
Marching will be the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton, the Jewish Center of the Hamptons, ARF (Animal Rescue Foundation), Southampton Animal Shelter Foundation, Bridgehampton School, John Jermain Memorial Library of Sag Harbor and the Guild Hall Teen Arts Council along with others on floats and decorated vehicles.
After the parade, a celebration will take place at Herrick Park (67 Newtown Lane) with a dance party and local musician Inda Eaton performing along with Jeff Marshall and Mila Tina. DJ Watts spins until 3 p.m. and the Bridgehampton Marimba Band greets visitors as they enter the park. Food trucks on site and free bottles of water donated by Golden Pear Cafe will be available.
- WHEN Noon
- MORE INFO 631-771-2044, hamptonspride.org
June 7: BABYLON
WHERE: Parade starts on Main Street and Deer Park Avenue
Experience Babylon Village's Pride Parade, marking its golden year. Credit: Rick Kopstein
What began as a small grassroots movement during the pandemic has turned into the seventh annual Babylon Pride Parade, which draws thousands of spectators each year. The event will be held June 7 in Babylon Village at 3 p.m. "Which makes this our 'golden' year, seventh year on June 7," says Roman, president and founder of Babylon Village Pride. Starting on the corner of Deer Park Avenue and Main Street, going up to John Street, the parade will do one loop around Deer Park Avenue and then comes to a close.
"It means more to LGBTQ+ people when they are celebrated in their hometown," says Roman.
The parade is supported by sponsors East Neck Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Northwell Health. The event will feature a variety of LGBTQ+ performers.
"Our theme this year is ‘Our Golden Years,’ " says Roman.
The 21-and-older official after-party is scheduled to be held at Mary Carroll’s Bar & Beer Garden, at 121 Deer Park Ave., from 4 to 9 p.m. featuring local talent and New York City drag performers.
- WHEN 3 p.m.
- MORE INFO prideofbabylon.org
June 13: PATCHOGUE
WHERE: Parade starts at Rt. 112 heading west on Main Street
Revelers participate in the Patchogue Pride parade. Credit: James Carbone
The annual Patchogue Pride parade happens June 13 at noon, rain or shine.
"Support has definitely grown across Long Island. People feel more and more comfortable to come out and celebrate Pride," says James Diele-Stein, co-founder and board chair of Long Island Equality Inc., which runs the parade.
The grand marshal is the executive director of Thursday's Child in Patchogue, Kerry Thomas, who will be joined by other local businesses, nonprofit organizations, schools and allies as they travel down Main Street along with floats and decorated cars.
After the parade, a Pride market with more than 30 vendors will line tRailroad Avenue. Showcasing LGBTQ+ vendors and nonprofit businesses. Look for street performers and also local restaurants celebrate with specials for the day.
- WHEN Noon
- MORE INFO patchoguepride.com, longislandequality.org
June 14: HUNTINGTON
WHERE: Parade starts at Clinton Avenue and Main Street
Alyssa Marko, of the Sirens Motorcycle Club, gets ready to ride during the Long Island Pride Parade in Huntington. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Find your way to Huntington for the 36th annual Long Island Pride Parade and Festival, which began as an act of defiance in 1991. The parade was founded by a group of local activists, including Kilmnick, who were initially told they could not march but went to court and won the right to do so. Today, the event is organized by the New York LGBT Network and draws tens of thousands from across Long Island and beyond.
This year, the parade kicks off at Clinton Avenue and Main Street in Huntington and travels to Heckscher Park, featuring more than 100 groups, from community organizations and local businesses to faith groups, schools, and Nassau and Suffolk County police departments, along with colorful floats, marching bands, and a lineup of classic cars.
Huntington's 36th annual Pride Parade celebrates diversity with colorful floats and community spirit. Credit: Rick Kopstein
The celebration continues with a free concert and carnival in Heckscher Park, featuring more than 100 vendors, food trucks, a beer and wine garden, inflatable rides for kids and live entertainment on the Chapin Rainbow Stage. New this year, an expanded adult area within the park will offer games and additional activities.
Performers include the Freestyle Forever Band; drag artists, including Long Island’s own Thorgy Thor and Crystal Envy from "RuPaul’s Drag Race"; the Long Island Gay Men’s Chorus; the cast of CM Performing Arts Center’s "Hairspray" and more. Recording artist and Long Island native Alisha, a Billboard charting artist, will also perform, along with Long Islander Dan Kiernan, a contestant on "The Voice."
Also new this year is a "Heated Rivalry" look-alike contest. Hosts include Long Island drag artist Bella Noche and PIX11 News weather forecaster Pat Cavlin.
- WHEN Noon
- MORE INFO 631-665-2300, lipride.org
June 27: GREENPORT
WHERE: Parade starts at Second and Broad streets
The Northfork Pride Parade will be held on Main Street in Greenport. Credit: Morgan Campbell
The parade begins at Second and Broad streets, travels down to Main Street and concludes at Front Street. This year’s parade theme is "Unstoppable Pride."
"This parade has a more relaxed, community-driven feel, it really reflects the spirit of the North Fork and how people come together in a meaningful way," says Kilmnick.
This year’s grand marshals include: Lori Panarello, a former New York LGBT Network board member who helped found North Fork Pride; North Fork Women; local business owner Linda Kessler; and Stanley Lomangino, owner of Maggio Environmental.
A post-parade festival will be held in Mitchell Park, where there will a vendor market, food booths and the carousel will be open.
- WHEN Noon
- MORE INFO 631-665-2300, northforkpride.org
Newsday's David Criblez and Lynn Petry contributed to this article
