From the wildly festive Maspalomas Pride to Berlin’s LGBTQ+ Pride Month, discover six of Europe’s most popular Pride events.
June 28, 1969, marks the symbolic birth of the LGBT community’s rights movements. On that day, a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in New York, turned into a series of riots and demonstrations advocating for respect for diversity and queer rights. That’s why, even today, many countries around the world celebrate Pride in June, to commemorate a date that forever changed communities and culture in the Western world.
As this date approaches, we’ve rounded up some of Europe’s most popular and important Pride events. While in Gran Canaria the event is brought forward to May, other European countries wait for full summer to celebrate in the open air.
Continue reading to get inspired for your next trip:
Maspalomas Pride, May 2 – May 13, 2024
Maspalomas, on the beautiful island of Gran Canaria, is known for being one of the world’s most loved LGBTQIA+ destinations. Over an entire week, festivities including cultural and entertainment events and protests are organized, creating a packed schedule open to everyone.
The highlight of the celebrations is the parade on May 11, a festive moment that sees 25 floats moving through the streets attracting huge crowds. The parade can be followed on foot or, if you want to be smack bang in the action, from atop a float! Purchase the official Maspalomas Pride tickets to fully experience the atmosphere of joy, freedom, and advocacy, and join in the love, bright colors and cheer running through the streets.
London Pride, June 29, 2024
Pride in London is not only the city’s largest LGBTQ+ event, it’s also a non-profit organization aimed at promoting greater inclusion and acceptance, supporting campaigns and initiatives in the area. Thanks to the support of staff and volunteers, every year Pride in London organizes a large parade, which in 2024 will be held on June 29.
The parade crosses some of London’s most famous spots, including Piccadilly Circus and Trafalgar Square, and attracts a million visitors to the English capital each year. Additionally, Pride in London has an ambitious sustainability program with a goal of going zero waste by 2030.
Amsterdam Pride, July 27 – August 4, 2024
Amsterdam’s Pride is very special. This Dutch city has long been a symbol of freedom and acceptance of diversity, which is why this event supporting the LGBTQI+ community has a special place in many hearts. For nine days between July and August, marches, workshops and various events take place as part of the Queer & Pride Amsterdam program.
But the most famous event is undoubtedly the canal parade, this year in its 27th edition, which takes place on August 3. As is fitting for the city, the floats are boats and the streets they will be cruising down are the main canals. The parade can be followed on foot or with your own boat by purchasing the official Pride permit.
Mado Madrid Orgullo, June 28 – July 7, 2024
Madrid‘s LGBTIQ+ community week unfolds with various cultural programs, parades, sports events, open-air concerts, and much more. The main parade takes place on July 6 and is part of Madrid’s 2024 not-to-be-missed events. The event crosses the city center, passing through Paseo del Prado, and is one of the largest in Europe. The parade ends in Plaza de Colón, where the party continues with music and the reading of the manifesto for freedom, inclusion, and diversity.
Stockholm Pride, July 29 – August 3, 2024
This year’s Stockholm Pride theme is Stronger Together, which addresses a political climate that’s significantly more tense than in the past. More than ever, fighting for the rights of all people is a crucial, collective responsibility. Stockholm’s Pride parade is the largest in all of Scandinavia, bringing together about 50,000 participants every year. This year’s Pride takes place on August 3, at the peak of a week of events in dedicated spaces such as Pride Park, where daily performances, concerts, and more take place.
Berlin Pride, June 28 – July 28, 2024
Pride in Berlin lasts a whole month! That’s why it had to be included in our list of Europe’s most popular Prides. The official event schedule has yet to be published, but you can still save the dates. What better reason to book a trip to Berlin between June and July? The 2024 theme of Only Strong Together is about promoting democracy and diversity, drawing attention to the threat posed by the growing popularity of far-right parties with ideologies that undermine the rights of all people, especially minorities. The big parade will be held on July 27.
