preloadPride flags held by the crowd flying in the air during a parade.

WorldPride is coming to Washington, D.C. this May, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the city’s first Pride celebrations. 

D.C., home to the largest percentage of LGBTQ residents in the U.S., expects to draw millions of locals and travelers alike. According to KAYAK insights, flight searches to D.C. during WorldPride are up 47% compared to interest in D.C. for the same time last year overlapping with 2024’s Capital Pride. Average airfare for this timeframe is also down 3%. Compared to Sydney during WorldPride in 2023 — which posed a longer journey for U.S. travelers and took place in February — flight searches to D.C. are up 13%. 

Key insights

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+47% increase in flight searches to D.C. compared to the same time last year.

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Average airfare is down 3% compared to the same time last year.

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Travelers from Salt Lake City, Atlanta, and Fort Lauderdale lead the charge.

Travelers are heading to D.C. during WorldPride.

With WorldPride on the horizon, Americans from all corners of the country are showing interest in booking trips to the capital for the occasion. According to KAYAK data, these cities saw the biggest increases in flight searches to Washington, D.C. during WorldPride:

The biggest jump? Salt Lake City, with nearly three times as many searches as last year. Atlanta and Fort Lauderdale aren’t far behind—and with some of the lowest fares on the list.

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If you plan to travel to WorldPride from outside the U.S., we recommend checking your country’s official travel guidance and check further information on the WorldPride 2025 official website.

→ For real-time event alerts including safety, travel, and helpful resources, sign up at AlertDC

Rest your head: Hacks to save on accommodations.

Hotels in Washington D.C. during WorldPride are averaging $302 per night, about 20% higher than usual. With the event just weeks away, it pays to plan smart.

  • Consider booking accommodations in nearby neighborhoods like Arlington, Silver Spring, or Alexandria for lower rates and quick Metro access.
  • Explore vacation rentals for group stays, and keep an eye on last-minute hotel deals using the KAYAK app and Price Alerts.
  • If you’re flexible, midweek arrivals or checking in before or after peak event days can also save you serious cash (up to $30/night on average).

KAYAK tips for booking last-minute

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Set up Price Alerts

WorldPride is close, but deals can still pop. Let KAYAK notify you when flight and hotel prices dip.

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Use flexible dates

If your schedule allows, try arriving a day early or leaving a day later—small shifts can mean big savings.

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Bundle & save

Booking your flight and hotel together can unlock discounts – and KAYAK makes it easy to compare packages in one place.

Once you’re there: Explore D.C.

Washington D.C. isn’t just the backdrop, it’s part of the experience. Here’s how to navigate it like a local:

  • Public transit is your best friend. Skip rideshare surge pricing and take advantage of the Metro system. It’s clean, reliable, and reaches most major Pride events.
  • Look for accommodations in Dupont Circle, Logan Circle, or Shaw to be close to the heart of the festivities.
  • Eat well, and everywhere. DC’s food scene is underrated – from buzzy MICHELIN-Starred restaurants to a luxe Italian steakhouse in Dupont Circle. And don’t miss these standout brunch spots across the city.

Whether you’re marching or just soaking it all in, KAYAK’s here to help you get there and get the most out of every moment.

A crowded staircase in front of a pond with an obelisk in the distance.

Flight data: Based on flight searches made on KAYAK in the period between 9.26.2024 and 3.25.2025 for flights with departure between 5.15.2025 and 6.10.2025. For year over year comparisons, searches were compared to ones made in the period between 9.26.2023 and 3.25.2024 with departure between 5.15.2024 and 6.10.2024. For comparisons to Sydney WorldPride, searches between 6.23.2022 and 12.22.2022 with departure between 2.11.2023 and 3.9.2023 were used. All prices are on average for economy, round-trip tickets. Prices may vary and savings cannot be guaranteed. Percentages for changes in searches and costs are approximate.

Hotel data: Based on hotel searches made on KAYAK in the period between 9.26.2024 and 3.25.2025 for check-in between 5.15.2025 and 6.10.2025. For year over year comparisons, searches were compared to ones made in the period between 9.26.2023 and 3.25.2024 with check-in between 5.15.2024 and 6.10.2024. All prices are average for 1 night in a double room in 3-4 star hotels, unless otherwise noted. Prices may vary and savings cannot be guaranteed.

About the author

KAYAK Since 2004, KAYAK has been revolutionizing the travel industry. Metasearch for travel? No one was doing it. Until we did. Today, we process billions of queries across our platforms each year for travel information, helping millions of travelers around the globe make confident decisions. With every query, KAYAK searches hundreds of travel sites to show travelers the information they need to find the right flights, hotels, hire cars and holiday packages.

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