Photo:  www.nycpride.org

The streets of New York City are never so festive, outrageous and energized as they are during the annual Pride March. Outlandish floats and spontaneous dance parties blend perfectly with the political components of this civil rights march, which begins in Midtown at noon (at Fifth Avenue and 36th Street) and makes its way downtown, to the West Village.

After the march meet up at the annual Pride Week street fair, on Hudson St. bet. 14th St. and Abingdon Sq., now in its 20th year. The PrideFest smorgasbord runs along Hudson Street, from 14th Street to Abingdon Square, just a few blocks away from the end of the march route, and also just a few blocks from the Hudson River piers, an excellent place to watch the sunset after a day of celebration. This event is free and open to the public and takes place from 11am to 6pm. For more information, visit nycpride.org.