Now in its third year, the annual Pride in the Sky festival has welcomed thousands of participants to the Walkway Over the Hudson for a celebration of the unity, diversity and freedom that make the Hudson Valley such a wonderful place to visit. Organized once again by Big Gay Hudson Valley, the third-annual event is set for May 30, 2026, and promises to be even bigger. It's the perfect kickoff to Pride Month!
There will be free community festivals with vendors, LGBTQ+ pride groups, and LGBTQ-owned and allied businesses and community groups on both ends of the Walkway from 3–6 p.m., followed by the flag procession to the middle of the Walkway at 6:45 p.m. and dancing and drag under the stars from 7–10 p.m.
Click here to see a schedule of events and to register.
Here is what to expect:
• At the Queer Families Festival on the Poughkeepsie end of the Walkway (3–6 p.m.), Big Gay Hudson Valley and the Dutchess County Pride Center have teamed up to host an epic all-ages festival packed with arts, crafts, music, food, and drinks — all perfect for the young (and young at heart). There will be Drag Story Hour with Katarina Mirage at 4 p.m. and a Queer Families Meetup at 5 p.m.
• Pet owners are invited to bring their furry, four-legged loved ones to the Walkway. Colorful costumes for pets and their owners are encouraged!
• Just before sunset, flag marshals will step off from the Poughkeepsie end of the Walkway and parade two of the world’s largest Pride flags across the 1.26-mile bridge, a 16-foot-wide, 200-foot-long portion of Gilbert Baker’s original eight-color Pride flag and a 16-foot-wide, 125-foot-long community-supported and newly created Trans Pride flag.
• Once the sun goes down, break out the glow sticks and dance the night away under the stars with DJ Prephab spinning a disco dance party at the center of the Walkway and DJ GoGo Gadget performing at the Highland end of the bridge. The Walkway will be colorfully illuminated, so be sure to come in your brightest look. The nearby Mid-Hudson Bridge will be lit up in rainbow colors. There will be a live drag show featuring Andramada, Katarina Mirage and Bambii on the Highland performance stage at 8 p.m. Vendors will be set up on both sides of the Walkway selling food and non-alcoholic beverages. Food and non-alcoholic beverages can be taken onto the Walkway Over the Hudson. Bad Seed Hard Cider and City Winery Hudson Valley will have a beverage garden set up on each side of the Walkway, where alcohol may be purchased and consumed. Alcohol is not permitted on the Walkway.
A refurbished railroad bridge built in 1889, the Walkway rises 212 feet above the majestic Hudson River. It's the longest elevated pedestrian bridge in the world and offers a bird’s eye view of the river and its surrounding highlands.
Attached photos of Pride in the Sky 2024 by Tanner Townsend courtesy of Big Gay Hudson Valley
