WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Capital Pride parade and festival, part of the 2026 Capital Pride celebrations, will feature grand marshals Monroe Alise, an actress and trans advocate, and singer David Archuleta. The parade is scheduled to start at 3 p.m. and conclude by 8 p.m. on a 1.4-mile route that starts at 12th and T Streets NW and ends at Pennsylvania Avenue and 14th Street NW, passing down 14th Street and around Thomas Circle. Grandstand seating for the parade has sold out.

The Capital Pride Alliance organizes the event, which carries the theme "Exist. Resist. Have the Audacity!". The celebrations mark the 51st anniversary of Pride in the District. In conjunction with the parade, the 17th Street Pride Block Party and the Capital Pride Festival are scheduled. Maren Morris is headlining the Capital Pride Concert.

The National Park Service fenced off Dupont Circle Park on Friday morning and plans to keep it closed until Sunday at 6 p.m. The National Park Service cited public safety and the protection of the historic park as reasons for the closure. Metro stations near the parade route include U Street, Archives, McPherson Square, Metro Center, and Federal Triangle.

D.C. leaders estimate that Capital Pride attracts approximately 650,000 to 700,000 people to the District. Last year, D.C. hosted World Pride, which drew about 1.2 million visitors and generated more than $300 million in economic impact. Nina Albert, the D.C. deputy mayor for Planning and Economic Development, stated, "We know that when people come together for our major annual festivals in the District that it creates a significant amount of revenue activity." "We just had the UFC last weekend," Albert said. "This weekend we're going to be focusing on FIFA and then also at the same time host Capital Pride. It just shows that we are a city that knows how to host big events and festivals and celebrate the true diversity of our country."

Eli Downes, the general manager of JR's bar, noted the event's role in the business's operations. "Pride literally keeps us afloat and keeps us going for the other 364 days a year," Downes said. He added that the bar is packed the entire weekend, and that "We like to say kind of Pride weekend pays for the entire year."