The capital city of New York, although it has only 100,000 residents, has a vibrant and active gay and lesbian community (this takes into account in part the much larger metropolitan area, of about 1.2 million). Much of the city’s gay scene centers on historic Lark Street and Washington Park. Albany celebrates Pride each year with Capital Pride, which attracts over 30,000 participants and comprises a variety of events and gatherings (including Albany Black & Latino Pride) for nearly two weeks, culminating in the Capital Pride parade and festival, which takes place on a Saturday during the Pride month of June.
All about the Albany pride festival
The Albany Capital Pride parade and festival generally takes place from noon to 5 p.m. in the city’s lush Washington Park. It runs partly along the lively Lark Street, where there are several popular gay bars and restaurants.
Other events taking place during the days leading up to the big weekend include a Pride ceremony at City Hall, a Pride launch barbecue, an LGBTQ alternative dance for youth, a Pride T-drag and dance performance. Dance, a bowling tournament, panels and discussions, a river cruise and more. You can download the Official Pride Guide to Celebrations Past.
It’s worth noting that a few different Gay Pride celebrations take place in the Hudson Valley region south of Albany, all of them within about a 90-minute drive, and all during different times in June. The three different events are Queen Gay Pride in Big Gay Hudson Valley in and around Poughkeepsie, the increasingly popular Hudson Valley Pride Week in New Paltz and Kingston, and Hudson NY Gay Pride in the small but very popular Columbia County town. from Hudson Also, if you don’t mind going further afield, if you take a two-hour drive west of Albany, you can attend Gay Pride in Central New York in Syracuse, held in mid-June.
Albany Gay Resources
In addition, numerous bars, as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels and shops, have special events and parties during Pride weekend. Popular places for nightlife include Lark Street, which has such notable gay clubs as Oh Bar, and there is also a gay bathhouse, River Street Club, a 15-minute drive in the city of Troy. Visit GayAlbanyOnline.com to learn more about the area’s gay scene. Also take a look at the excellent GLBT resources and travel site produced by the city’s official tourism organization, the Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
