Under the radiant lights of the RFK Festival Grounds, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ music festival roared to life this past weekend, delivering an unforgettable celebration of queer culture, music, and unapologetic pride. As part of the official WorldPride DC 2025 festivities, the WorldPride Music Festival united tens of thousands of fans from across the globe for two days of high-voltage performances, heartfelt messages of solidarity, and a powerful sense of community. Leading the charge was global icon Jennifer Lopez, who turned her headline set into a poignant tribute to love, identity, and freedom.
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Lopez’s performance on Friday night wasn’t just a star-studded spectacle—it was the heartbeat of a weekend defined by unity and resistance. “We are singing and dancing right here on their front lawn, misbehaving. Yes we are,” she told a roaring crowd, just miles from the White House, during a climactic rendition of her song Freedom. The performance, backed by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington, D.C., swelled into a full-blown anthem of resilience, echoing through the night as a call to embrace joy and authenticity in the face of rising political tension.
The singer’s set, filled with career-spanning hits like “Let’s Get Loud,” “On The Floor,” and “Waiting for Tonight,” reached new emotional heights as rainbow lights washed over the crowd during Freedom, turning the festival grounds into a sea of unity and celebration. The moment wasn’t lost on Lopez, who has long been an outspoken ally of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Over the years, your love and your support have been a source of strength for me,” Lopez said, pausing between songs. “And today, I am here to celebrate you. I’m so happy to be able to be here to celebrate community, diversity, love, and freedom.”
The electrifying evening also featured the world premiere of her new single, Save Me Tonight, a collaboration with David Guetta, which she performed live for the first time. As a special bonus for fans, Lopez offered an exclusive sneak peek of her upcoming film, Kiss of the Spider Woman, set for release in October, teasing the multidimensional impact of her ongoing creative journey.
The two-day festival featured four immersive stages and a stacked lineup that showcased the diversity of queer music and performance. Alongside Lopez, standout acts included Troye Sivan, Kim Petras, Rita Ora, Zedd, Paris Hilton, Tinashe, Marina, Sasha Colby, Trisha Paytas, and Sofi Tukker, among others.
On Saturday, Sivan closed the festival with an emotional, magnetic set that included hits like “Rush,” “My My My!,” and “Bloom.” His performance, much like Lopez’s, doubled as a thank-you to the LGBTQ+ fans who have been with him from the start. “This community has given me everything,” he told the crowd, voice trembling as thousands sang along.
Kim Petras brought high-octane club energy with her signature blend of pop and electro bangers, while RuPaul delivered an iconic DJ set that had the audience voguing under the stars. Singer-songwriter RAYE brought vulnerability and soul, and Renee Rapp’s set, including her biting track “Poison Poison” dedicated to the current administration, emphasized that Pride is as much protest as it is celebration.
Throughout the festival grounds, interactive brand activations, wellness spaces, and bold art installations added layers of engagement and introspection. Hornitos Tequila, a major sponsor, set up a vibrant “Wall of Joy” photo activation, encouraging guests to leave messages of hope and love. Festival screens played queer stories, trivia, and media clips from favorites like Young Royals, Love, Simon, Queer Eye, and Glee—a continuous reminder that visibility matters in every form.
Produced by Dreamland’s Jake Resnicow, named one of OUT100’s Most Influential LGBTQ+ People of the Year, in partnership with Insomniac and Club Glow, the WorldPride Music Festival was more than a party. It was a political and cultural statement, boldly affirming that queer voices, art, and joy deserve space, spotlight, and safety.
The weekend’s high-energy sets were matched by moments of deep emotion. As Lopez stood center stage with the chorus behind her during Freedom, it became clear that this was no ordinary performance. The rainbow-lit stage, the live choir, and the sea of flags and tears in the crowd crystallized what Pride is truly about: liberation, visibility, and love.
Lopez’s ability to blend dazzling showmanship with heartfelt sincerity solidified her as the festival’s emotional anchor. From debuting new music and sharing sneak peeks of upcoming projects to honoring the community with every note and gesture, her set embodied the power of presence.
And that presence resonated far beyond the stage.
In a time when LGBTQ+ rights are under renewed threat in parts of the U.S., WorldPride DC 2025 stood tall as a radiant reminder of queer resilience. For two days, politics faded into the background as music, dance, and connection took center stage. The crowd—diverse in every imaginable way—was united in joy, protest, and celebration.
As the last note rang out and the lights dimmed on an unforgettable weekend, the message was clear: Pride is not just a month or a parade. It is a movement. And at WorldPride, that movement had a soundtrack.
For more information about WorldPride DC 2025, visit worldpride25.com.
