9 Of The Best Places To Celebrate Pride Around The World
Every June, millions of people around the world come together in the best places to celebrate Pride month, with parades, picnics, parties, concerts, workshops and more taking place everywhere from Manchester to Sydney.
June is the official month for Pride as it marks the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall riots, when Black and Latinx trans activists led LGBTQ+ community members in protests against police violence and raids at gay bars in New York City. This became a catalyst for gay rights and a turning point in the battle for equality.
Read on to discover nine the best places to celebrate Pride around the world where you can join in the party and show your support.
1. Pride in New York
Of all the places to celebrate Pride – where else but the city where it all began? Get down to the festival area on 4th Avenue between East 8th Street and East 13th Street to take part. Pride in New York can be as glitzy or low-key as you like it. There are events that welcome everyone – from family fun days to queer cinema shows. Sit in at a poetry reading or don your best rainbow cape and dance with abandon. The parade grows every year, with floats from popular TV shows and huge names like Madonna and Lil’ Kim performing.
2. Pride in Berlin
This huge event in Germany’s capital attracts up to 1 million revelers each year and is known as CSD (Christopher Street Day) in Berlin. It started as a political protest and is now celebrated under a different motto every year. Berlin is easily one of the best places to enjoy Pride in Europe, largely due to its reputation for celebrating underground culture, with rallies for different parts of the LGBTQ+ community. The parade is renowned for participants outfits, bursting with color, flair and pop cultural references, made from all sorts of fabrics and styles,
3. Madrid Pride
One of the top Pride destinations, Madrid hosts a comprehensive cultural program across the city every July. Mado (as the locals call it) is known for its diversity with art, literature and children’s activities sitting alongside debates, and of course, enormous dance parties. Most of the events take place in the Chueca neighborhood, where a thriving LGBTQ+ community live harmoniously alongside mostly elderly people who have lived there all their lives.
Join the Mado party on our Highlights of Spain tour, which ends in Madrid.
4. Montevideo Pride
Marcha por la Diversidad has been running in Montevideo since the 1990s. Uruguay is extremely friendly and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community – homosexuality was decriminalized here in 1934. Rainbow flags fly outside many bars and restaurants and there’s a great drag scene in Montevideo. If you prefer the party over the politics, then Punta Pride on the beach takes place every February.
Visit Uruguay on our Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil Discovery tour.
5. London Pride
Over a million people of all ethnicities, sexualities, genders and race gather in London on the nearest Saturday to the Stonewall anniversary to celebrate Pride in London. A political rally is held after the parade and free concerts take place at Trafalgar Square. It truly is a fanfare and has several famous patrons including Laverne Cox and Sir Elton John.
Check into London for Pride on our Best of Britain guided tour.
6. Stockholm Pride
A week-long extravaganza brings supporters from far and wide to the Swedish capital. It had small beginnings at its launch in 1988, but Swedish Pride has since grown to over 600,000 attendees – the city has also hosted EuroPride three times. Festivities center around Pride House, where visitors can catch debates, seminars and exhibitions. The Swedish language even has a dedicated gender-neutral pronoun – hen. It isn’t called the Open City for nothing.
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Plus receive latest offers, travel inspiration, and discover how your travels will make a positive impact. Together, WE MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. Subscribe Now7. Copenhagen Pride
Inclusivity is so important in Copenhagen that the city hosts two Pride weeks, one in summer and the other in winter. The City Square becomes the home of Pride, but the people here are always liberal and open-minded, making every neighborhood queer for Pride. Drag Night is always a fun event, while Unbound showcases queer theater, opera, comedy and music. The closing ceremony often features huge artists and speeches by world leaders. And the Danes know how to dazzle.
8. Amsterdam Pride
Rankedin the top ten most LGBTQ+ friendly countries in the world, Amsterdam has a reputation not only as an art and horticultural paradise, but also as a city that knows how to throw a party. The annual Amsterdam Pride takes place across 9 days with over 300 activities and events, drawing in visitors from around the world. This open, inclusive capital has one of the biggest gay scenes in Europe with more than 100 LGBTQ+ bars, clubs, saunas, shops and hotels
9. Paris Pride
In the city of love, it’s hardly surprising that Pride in Paris, or Marche des Fiertés LGBT as it is known, is a huge event. Also notable is that France has led the fight for gay rights for centuries, decriminalizing homosexuality in 1791! The parade begins at Tour Montparnasse so attendees pass some of the most historic and beautiful buildings in Paris, and witness declarations of love and the best of humanity at this amazing ‘Pride in Paris’ party.
Keen to take part in the celebrations or just feeling inspired to visit these destinations? Take a look at our collection of premium guided tours.
About Alex Allen
Alex is the Editor of Insightful, and has over 10 years' experience as a writer and editor within the travel industry. In his professional travels, he has been all over the world – from road-tripping in Australia and New Zealand, to eating his way around the Canadian Maritimes and criss-crossing Italy from Sardinia to Emilia-Romagna.
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