The Seattle Pride Parade 2025 is making history as Washington State’s largest and most vibrant celebration of LGBTQIA2S+ joy, resilience, and activism. Held on Sunday, June 29, this year’s event marks the culmination of Pride Month, drawing an estimated 300,000 participants and spectators to downtown Seattle. With the theme “Louder,” organizers and attendees are sending a powerful message: silence is not an option. This parade is more than a spectacle—it’s a movement, a call to action, and a celebration of all who stand against hatred and for love.
A Parade with Purpose
This year’s Seattle Pride Parade is rooted in activism and unapologetic visibility. The event, community-led and open to all, features more than 250 organizations, nonprofits, businesses, and civic leaders marching side by side. The parade honors the legacy of the Stonewall Uprising, which inspired the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. As Patti Hearn, executive director of Seattle Pride, put it, “This is not a moment for silence. Now is not the time to be a bystander or to let others remain passive while bullies—both elected officials and those not in office—attempt to harm us, erase us, and silence us. We refuse to let that occur.”
The parade route runs through downtown Seattle, starting at 4th Avenue and Union Street and ending at Denny Way near Seattle Center. Pre-show festivities at Westlake Park kick off at 10 a.m., with the main parade stepping off at 11 a.m. and continuing until 3:30 p.m. The event is free and family-friendly, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds to join in the celebration.
Grand Marshals and Community Highlights
Congresswoman Emily Randall and Cheer Seattle are the grand marshals for the 2025 Seattle Pride Parade. Congresswoman Randall, the first queer Latina in Congress, is recognized for her advocacy for the queer community, climate action, and reproductive rights. Cheer Seattle, a nonprofit cheerleading group, raises funds and awareness for LGBTQIA2S+ causes through energetic performances and community outreach.
The parade’s growth is remarkable. What began in 1974 with fewer than 200 people has blossomed into one of the nation’s largest Pride parades, now attracting hundreds of thousands. The sense of community is palpable, with attendees lining the streets in a sea of color, waving flags, and cheering for every float and group that passes by.
Street Closures, Festivities, and Safety
Navigating Seattle during Pride weekend requires some planning. Major street closures are in effect, especially along 4th Avenue from S Washington St to Seattle Center, and on east-west cross streets along the parade route. 4th Ave N, from Broad St to Denny Way, is closed for staging starting Saturday, June 28 at noon and remains closed until the parade ends. Expect detours, delays, and limited local access throughout downtown.
Capitol Hill, Seattle’s historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood, hosts block parties and Pride celebrations throughout the weekend, with additional street closures and lively events along the Pike/Pine corridor. After the parade, the party continues at Seattle Center for PrideFest and at Pier 62 for Queer Pier Pride, a music festival featuring local and national artists.
Safety and inclusion are top priorities. Seattle Pride has a complicated relationship with law enforcement, rooted in the community’s history of resistance to police raids. For the third year in a row, Seattle Police Department officers are invited to participate but only out of uniform and without weapons, in line with the event’s strict policies. Community-led security teams also play a crucial role in keeping everyone safe.
Empowerment and Resilience in the Face of Challenges
This year’s Seattle Pride Parade is both celebratory and defiant. Organizers report a significant drop in corporate funding compared to previous years, a trend seen across many Pride events nationwide. Despite these challenges, the community remains empowered and determined to make their voices heard. The spirit of Pride is undiminished, driven by the belief that joy, love, and resilience are acts of care for current and future generations.
The parade’s theme, “Louder,” is a promise to amplify every voice in the community. It’s a reminder that standing together, speaking out, and celebrating openly are acts of resistance and hope. From the Westlake Park stage to the final float at Seattle Center, the energy is electric, the music is booming, and the message is clear: Seattle stands with its LGBTQIA2S+ community, today and always.
How to Experience Seattle Pride Parade 2025
For those unable to attend in person, the Seattle Pride Parade is livestreamed for the first two hours on KIRO 7’s website and app. Coverage continues on KIRO 7 News at 11 p.m., followed by a special Pride broadcast at 11:30 p.m. Social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube are buzzing with real-time updates, behind-the-scenes footage, and heartfelt stories shared by attendees and performers.
The Seattle Pride Parade is more than a parade—it’s a movement. It’s a day to celebrate, to resist, and to stand together. Whether you’re marching, cheering from the sidelines, or watching from home, you’re part of something bigger.
Join the celebration, share your story, and help make Seattle Pride Parade even louder next year.