WORLDPRIDE DC
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Through the Lens of Pride: Photographing WorldPride DC 2025
World Pride DC. Photo: Marissa Carper (TMN).
This past weekend was one of the most exhausting, emotional, and straight-up incredible experiences of my life. Three days. Almost no sleep. Over 30,000 steps a day. And a city that didn’t stop moving, dancing, or celebrating for a second.
WorldPride DC 2025 was everything: chaotic, joyful, overwhelming, loud, beautiful. I was there, camera in hand, trying to capture it all from the music, to the people, the protests, and the moments that made it Pride.
Photos below: Love and Pride in Washington D.C. Photo: Marissa Carper (TMN). Click on image to enlarge.
The City Was Covered in Pride
DC didn’t just host WorldPride, it became it. Every corner of the city was alive with something: a festival tent, a block party, a pop-up concert, or just crowds decked out in glitter and joy. You couldn’t take a Metro ride without hearing cheers echo down the escalators. It was electric.
From the official WorldPride Music Festival to the 17th Street Block Party, the street fair, the march, and more, the city transformed into one massive tribute to queer joy. Everywhere I turned, there was color, laughter, resistance, and love. It was loud. It was messy. It was beautiful.
Energy and ecstasy spread through the nation's capital for 48 non-stop hours. Photo: Marissa Carper (TMN).
In the Pit: Festival Madness (Friday + Saturday)
Let’s talk about the WorldPride Music Festival, because it was next level. Two nights. Four stages. A stacked lineup that felt like a fever dream: Jennifer Lopez, Paris Hilton, Rita Ora, Trisha Paytas, Reneé Rapp, Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, Zedd, and so many more.
Produced by Dreamland, Club Glow, and Insomniac, the festival promised to be the largest LGBTQ+ music celebration ever, and it delivered. The RFK Festival Grounds were transformed into a glowing, pulsing universe of lights, sound, and movement.
But here’s the part that got me: the people.
“I met folks from literally everywhere, people from London who had never been to DC before, two best friends from Texas on their first Pride trip, and a group from LA that had matching custom Pride jackets. And the best part? Everyone was so open, so friendly, so full of joy.”
Photos below: Rita Ora, Jennifer Lopez, Betty Who, and Paris Hilton. Photo: Marissa Carper (TMN). Click on image to enlarge.
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Strangers shared snacks, passed around fans, offered water, and hugs. People complimented each other nonstop: outfits, signs, energy. You’d turn to photograph someone, and they’d just light up and start chatting like you were old friends. I’ve never felt more welcome in a crowd that size.
Friday was incredible. From Tinashe to Paris Hilton and even Triyas Patas, every performer brought something unique. And of course, Jennifer Lopez sealed the deal with her fiery set.
World Pride DC. Photo: Marissa Carper (TMN).
Saturday Highlights: Parade, Stages, and a Surprise Star
At 1:00 PM, the WorldPride Parade launched from 14th & T Streets NW, featuring over 300 organizations and a 1,000-foot rainbow flag weaving through the city. Drag queens danced alongside military veterans, and crowds screamed when Renee Rapp appeared unexpectedly on a float.
By 4:00 PM, I was at the DuPont Stage capturing Heri Iznaga’s electric set. The Cuban-American artist delivered a mix of Dance-Pop and EDM that turned the whole plaza into a dance floor. I interviewed him after (that’s coming soon—and it’s good).
Next stop: the 17th Street Block Party. You could feel it before you even got there—music booming, people cheering up the Dupont Circle escalators. The block was alive. It was joy turned up.
And then Cynthia Erivo. I made it back to the main stage just in time for her post-parade set, and her voice? Incredible.
The night ended back at RFK with Kim Petras, Troye Sivan, and a Zedd DJ set that felt like it could’ve powered the entire city. Pure euphoria.
Photos below: Cynthia Erivo, Khalid, Heri Iznaga, and Kaleena. Photo: Marissa Carper (TMN). Click on image to enlarge.
Sunday: A March, a Storm, and a Moment I’ll Never Forget
Sunday was different. More than a party, it was a statement.
Thousands gathered at the National Mall for the International Pride March and Rally. Rain came down out of nowhere, but no one moved. And then, Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage, unannounced.
“Pride is about honoring the trailblazers who came before, joining arms with those leading the fight for equality today, and empowering the next generation to live boldly, freely, and with joy,” she said.”
The air shifted. It wasn’t just a moment. It was a reminder.
Later, the crowd packed in for the closing concert. Lines were so long, some people never made it through the gates. Inside, Khalid, who came out less than a year ago, stood on stage, eyes wet.
“This is my first time being at Pride,” he said. “Thank you for accepting me. For supporting me. I feel like I’m home.”
And then Doechii hit the stage. Her set was fire, pure energy, pure power. She tore it up, and the crowd gave it right back. The energy she brought to the stage was the perfect ending to the weekend.
World Pride DC. Parade. Photo: Marissa Carper (TMN).
Artists & Voices I Won’t Forget
I sat down with Kaleena Zanders and Heri Iznaga, two powerhouse performers who opened up about what Pride means to them, how they stay grounded, and their messages for LGBTQ+ teens breaking into music.
Those interviews are coming soon. And they hit.
What I Took Home (Besides 3,000 Photos)
WorldPride DC was sweaty, sunburned, glitter-smeared magic. A mashup of celebration and resistance. Protest signs were held high while pop anthems blasted. It was overwhelming—in the best way.
“I came home physically wrecked, memory cards overflowing, and honestly? Emotionally recharged. It reminded me why Pride matters. Why showing up matters. Even when it’s loud and messy and chaotic, especially then.”
More stories and photos are on the way. But for now:
Thank you, DC.
You didn’t just show up.
You showed off.
“On behalf of the entire TMN international team, thank you Marissa Carper for your incredible work, effort, and dedication covering World Pride in the nation’s capital. And thank you to the organizers for trusting us with this important responsibility—as journalists and as a youth movement.”
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