September marks a season of vibrant celebration and community pride on both coasts of the United States, as two iconic parades—the Oakland Pride Parade & Festival in California and the Labor Day Parade in Manhattan, New York—draw thousands to the streets in colorful displays of unity, resilience, and festivity. Though separated by geography and tradition, each event encapsulates the spirit of its city, offering a unique window into the values and diversity that define modern American life.
On Sunday, September 7, 2025, the city of Oakland will play host to its 15th Annual LGBTQ+ Parade and Festival, an event that has grown to become a cornerstone of the Bay Area’s cultural calendar. According to ABC7, the proud media partner for the festivities, the parade will step off at 11 a.m. sharp at the intersection of 14th and Broadway. The route is expected to be lined with supporters, as parade contingents representing a wide array of community leaders, service groups, businesses, sponsors, and allies make their way through the heart of downtown Oakland.
What makes this year’s Oakland Pride especially notable is its lineup of Grand Marshals, each a trailblazer in their own right. Among them is W. Kamau Bell, the Oakland-based educator and activist known for his sharp wit and commitment to social justice. Joining Bell is Layshia Clarendon, a former professional basketball player who made history as the first openly non-binary athlete in the WNBA. Patrik-Ian Polk, the acclaimed filmmaker behind the groundbreaking series Noah’s Arc, brings a creative spark to the proceedings, while Tim Nguyen, a practicing physician assistant at the Glenn Burke Wellness Clinic, is recognized for his clinical focus on psychiatry, HIV medicine, and LGBTQ health.
The celebration doesn’t stop with the parade. At noon, the party moves to Uptown Oakland at 20th and Broadway, where the festival kicks off in earnest. The entertainment is as diverse as the community itself. On the Que Rico Night & Club Papi Latin Stage, international Latin pop icon Christian Chávez is set to headline, bringing a global flair to the event. Meanwhile, David Harness’s Mighty Real Presents: Sunday Tea Dance Stage will honor the enduring legacy of disco, house, and queer nightlife—a nod to the city’s storied dance culture.
Music lovers can also look forward to powerhouse performances on the Oakland LGBTQ Community Center Main Stage. There, CeCe Peniston, famed for her dance anthem “Finally,” will join Oakland’s own Martha Wash, whose unmistakable vocals have graced countless hits. Rounding out the lineup is newly announced hip-hop artist Kamaiyah, ensuring that the festival remains as current as it is inclusive. As ABC7 notes, the event is more than just a party—it’s a testament to Oakland’s ongoing commitment to visibility, acceptance, and the celebration of difference.
“Oakland Pride is about more than just a parade,” one organizer told ABC7. “It’s about coming together as a community, recognizing our progress, and recommitting to the work that still needs to be done.” For many, the parade and festival serve as both a joyful homecoming and a powerful reminder of the struggles that have shaped the LGBTQ+ movement in the Bay Area and beyond.
Across the country, New York City is preparing for its own grand tradition: the 2025 Labor Day Parade, set for Saturday, September 6. According to PIX11, the parade will begin at 10 a.m. at 44th Street and Fifth Avenue, stretching north to 64th Street in a show of solidarity that is as much about the future as it is about the past. With more than 200 labor unions and constituency groups participating, the event stands as the nation’s biggest and oldest Labor Day parade—a living testament to the enduring power of collective action.
This year’s march is led by two prominent figures: Rich Maroko, president of the Hotel and Gaming Trades Council, and Terri Carmichael Jackson, executive director of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association. Their roles as co-Grand Marshals highlight the intersection of labor rights and social justice, themes that have defined the parade since its inception. As PIX11 reports, “The parade is free to watch, without tickets, along the parade route on Fifth Avenue,” inviting New Yorkers and visitors alike to join in the celebration.
Of course, an event of this scale requires careful planning and coordination. The NYPD has announced a series of street closures to accommodate the march. These include 44th Street between Broadway and Vanderbilt Avenue, 45th to 47th Street between Seventh Avenue and Vanderbilt Avenue, 48th Street between Sixth Avenue and Madison Avenue, and Vanderbilt Avenue between 43rd Street and 47th Street. The parade route itself will close Fifth Avenue from 44th Street all the way to 72nd Street, with dispersal points between 67th and 72nd Streets. While these closures may cause some inconvenience, most New Yorkers see them as a small price to pay for a tradition that brings the city together in such a powerful way.
“This parade is more than just a march down Fifth Avenue,” one union leader told PIX11. “It’s a chance for workers to stand together, to celebrate our achievements, and to remind everyone that the labor movement is still a vital force in American life.” The parade’s separation from the West Indian Day Parade in Brooklyn underscores the city’s commitment to honoring the distinct histories and contributions of its many communities.
Both the Oakland Pride Parade & Festival and the Manhattan Labor Day Parade share a common thread: they offer a space for celebration, reflection, and advocacy. Whether it’s the LGBTQ+ community in Oakland coming together to honor its leaders and artists, or New York’s workers marching in solidarity, these events remind us that progress is made not by individuals alone, but by communities united in purpose.
As the confetti settles and the music fades, the impact of these parades lingers in the hearts of those who attend. They are living proof that, even in a world often divided by politics and ideology, there is still room for joy, hope, and the belief that together, we can build something better. For Oakland and New York, this weekend is a celebration of all that makes them unique—and all that connects them to the broader American story.
