Throughout Pride Month, our lineup of events celebrates LGBTQIA+ voices and creates opportunities for communities to come together in our west side backyard. Read on as we highlight some of the outstanding artists and events you’ll find in the Park this June — culminating with a special performance by multi-platinum recording artist Randy Jones, the original Cowboy of Village People. Plus, explore other ways to honor Pride in the Park this month and beyond, and be sure to check back for more info as Pride Month continues!
Sunset on the Hudson
There’s no better way to kick off summer weekends in NYC than with a Friday concert as the sun sets over historic Pier 45. This year, our longstanding Sunset on the Hudson series runs throughout Pride Month, and each concert will feature Queer and BIPOC artists integral to New York. From historic greats with a history on the piers to up-and-coming locals, get to know the artists you’ll find on Sunset on the Hudson.
AERI, Ashni & Treya Lam
Pier 45
Friday, May 31
6:30 PM
Our Sunset on the Hudson Season kicks off with a performance by three outstanding emerging local artists. AERI is a singer-songwriter who fosters collective tenderness through exposing often-silenced inner dialogues. Her debut music video “What If” was named one of the best new songs by queer artists by Them.
Ashni is a New York-based songwriter, composer, vocalist and pianist whose work explores the relationships we build with the self, our communities and the natural world.
Multi-instrumentalist composer and multidisciplinary creator, treya lam creates liberation oriented chamber-protest songs. Their debut, Good News was created entirely by womxn and genderqueer collaborators.
Batalá New York
Pier 45
Friday, June 7
6:30 PM
We’re thrilled to welcome Batalá New York, NYC’s official all-women Afro-Brazilian percussion ensemble to the Sunset on the Hudson stage. This Black-led all volunteer nonprofit activates partnerships and builds community and cultural awareness through high-energy performances that blend cultural education and joyous entertainment.
Viva Deconcini & People’s Champs
Pier 45
Friday, June 14
6:30 PM
NYC-based glam-rock guitarist, vocalist, and LGBTQIA+ activist Viva DeConcini returns to rock our Sunset on the Hudson stage on June 14. Viva’s influences include Jimi Hendrix, Dolly Parton, NYC, disco and jam bands, and we can’t wait for her to bring her dynamic post-punk, psychedelic glam-rock back to Pier 45.
People’s Champs combines the hottest dance rhythms from West Africa and South America with New Wave synth tones, crafting them into indie songs with Stevie Wonder-esque lyrics. The band is composed of members of The Superpower Horns, studio horn section for Beyoncé, and we’re looking forward to bringing this sound to Pier 45.
Resistance Revival Chorus
Pier 45
Friday, June 21
6:30 PM
On June 21, Resistance Revival Chorus returns to our riverfront stage at Pier 45. This collective of more than 60 women and non-binary singers join together to breathe joy and song into the resistance and to uplift and center women’s voices. Members of the chorus hail from diverse professional backgrounds — touring musicians, film and television actors, Broadway performers, solo recording artists, gospel singers, political activists, educators, filmmakers, artists, and more — representing a multitude of identities, professions, creative backgrounds, and activist causes.
The Bad Judies & Randy Jones
Pier 45
June 26, 2024
6:30 PM
We can’t think of a better way to kick off Pride Weekend in the Park than at a very special Sunset on the Hudson featuring NYC’s only all-drag queen band and Randy Jones, one of the founding members of Village People. The Bad Judies is composed of three very different drag queens, Wesley, Worshiper and Lyra Vega, who bring together a unique blend of camp, color, comedy, fashion, music and fun in performances that feature live music, dance, lip syncing and live vocals.
Randy Jones, an actor, author, American Music Award winner and multi-platinum recording artist, is the original Cowboy of Village People. In his career spanning four decades, he has sold more than 100 million units and garnered in excess of a quarter-billion views on YouTube. We’re especially thrilled to welcome Randy back to the waterfront where he and his bandmates filmed the iconic YMCA music video.
Hetrick-Martin Institute Youth Pride Fest
Saturday, June 15
2:00 PM — 9:00 PM
We look forward to welcoming Hetrick-Martin Institute’s 23rd Annual Youth Pride Fest to Pier 76. Youth Pride Fest brings together youth from across NYC for a day of games, food, prizes, a KiKi Ball Showdown, raffles and more! Various city services and community groups also take part in this event to offer support like housing aid, healthcare, testing, education help, and counseling services. The Hetrick-Martin Institute’s mission is to create a safe and supportive environment for LGBTQIA+ youth between the ages of 13 and 24 and their families.
Pride Sunday in Hudson River Park
Christopher St. Plaza, Pier 45, Pier 46, West Village Esplanade
Join us for Pride in Hudson River Park! Our West Village esplanades, along with Piers 45 and 46, have long been a place of gathering on Pride Sunday, with thousands coming together to celebrate Pride.
For everyone’s safety, to manage crowding conditions, please expect closures in the area, including on both sides of Route 9A. As a reminder, Park rules are in effect regarding glass containers and open flames, including BBQs and grills, which can quickly create dangerous conditions, particularly on crowded days. View the full list of Park rules. Available amenities will include porta-sans and water fountains. Please note that Heritage of Pride’s Pride Island has moved south to Governor’s Island, and there will not be fireworks visible from Hudson River Park this year.
LBGTQIA+ Art Walk
Hudson River Park’s Piers 45 – 51 and the southern edge of Hudson River Park’s Gansevoort Peninsula
Hudson River Park’s Greenwich Village waterfront is home to public art and monuments that celebrate NYC’s LGBTQIA+ community and honor its history. Enjoy this walk anytime by entering Hudson River Park at Christopher Street, near the Park’s historic Pier 45, and walk north along the esplanade. Learn more about the public art and monuments.
Explore Park and Waterfront History
As we honor and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ history of our waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods, here are some helpful resources where you can learn more about this history through art, written records, tours and other learning tools.