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The Pulse nightclub, the site of one of the most devastating tragedies in recent U.S. history, will open its doors for the last time to survivors and family members of the victims before its scheduled demolition later this year
According to information from Telemundo 31, the City of Orlando has announced that, from June 12 to June 14, 2025, visits to the interior of the club will take place.
These visits will provide an intimate space for the families of the 49 deceased and the survivors to remember, mourn, and heal. This will be the only opportunity to enter the site once more before its demolition.
To ensure privacy and security, visits will be conducted in small groups, with scheduling priority for the families of the victims. Each group will have approximately 30 minutes inside the building.
Additionally, each complete session will last about two hours, including a preliminary orientation, transportation to the site, the visit, and an optional informational session with emotional and spiritual support.
Participants may include a mental health or spiritual care professional in their group, and specialized support will be available throughout the entire experience.
Families and survivors are requested to confirm their attendance by May 8, 2025, using a form available at pulseorlando.org/sitevisit. Applications will be evaluated using the records from the One Orlando Fund and in coordination with the authorities.
The Pulse nightclub was the scene of an armed attack on June 12, 2016, during a Latino night, resulting in the deaths of 49 people and leaving 53 injured. This tragic event became one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.
The massacre was perpetrated by the Afghan-American Omar Mateen, who was shot dead by law enforcement that same night.
Mateen instilled terror among attendees that day after bursting into the nightclub armed with an assault rifle and a handgun and starting to shoot at the hosts and participants of a Latin party.
For about three hours, during which he stayed inside the club with around thirty hostages, Mateen told police negotiators over the phone that he was acting on behalf of the Islamic State, the terrorist group to which he pledged allegiance.
In 2018, the then-governor of Florida, Rick Scott, declared June 12 as "Pulse Remembrance Day," dedicated to honoring the 49 victims of the massacre.
After the demolition of the building, the City of Orlando plans to construct a permanent monument at the site to honor the victims and survivors of the tragedy.
The Pulse Memorial Advisory Committee, made up of family members of the victims, survivors, and other stakeholders, has been working on the conceptual design of the monument. The final design is expected to be presented to the public soon.
For more information about visits and the commemoration process, you can visit the official website: pulseorlando.org.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Demolition of the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando
When will the visits to the Pulse nightclub take place before its demolition?
The visits will take place from June 12 to June 14, 2025. During this time, survivors and family members of the victims of the 2016 attack will be able to access the site one last time before its demolition, scheduled for later this year.
Who can attend the scheduled visits at the Pulse nightclub?
The visits are intended for survivors and families of the victims of the attack at the Pulse nightclub. They will take place in small groups to ensure privacy and security, prioritizing scheduling for the families of the victims.
What will happen after the demolition of the Pulse nightclub?
After the demolition, the City of Orlando plans to construct a permanent monument at the site to honor the victims and survivors of the tragedy. An Advisory Committee for the Pulse Memorial is working on the conceptual design of the monument, which is expected to be presented soon.
How can families and survivors confirm their attendance at the event at Pulse?
Families and survivors must confirm their attendance by May 8, 2025 through the form available at pulseorlando.org/sitevisit. Applications will be evaluated using the records from the One Orlando Fund and in coordination with the authorities.
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