Worth the Trip: Best International Cities for Pride
The Pride movement has gone global, with parades, marches, and parties taking off all over the world. And while we wish we could attend every Pride, the truth is, some are at the top of that bucket list.
Here are the upcoming international Pride events you should get pack your bags for, because they are, simply put, next level.
Tel Aviv Pride
Tel Aviv Pride boasts one of the world's largest parades, with hundreds of thousands of locals and tourists alike celebrating the LGBTQ community in the beautiful city in Israel. This year's procession will be led by Andy Cohen, appointed as the official International Ambassador.
It starts at 10am on June 8, at Meir Park, travels through the city streets and ends up at Charles Clore beach, where a party is held featuring live music, performers, and a whole lot of dancing, all while surrounded by unmatched views.
Parties and events have already started, and will continue through June 10.
Pride Toronto
Toronto kicked off Pride month by raising the rainbow Pride flag and the transgender Pride flag, setting the scene for another epic Pride Toronto.
The celebration is already well underway, but the main event is still on the horizon, with the festival and parade taking place June 22-24. Attendees of the festival will be treated to more entertainment than in previous years, with more than 200 artists, including Brandy and Kehlani, performing on 14 stages.
While there will be plenty of fanfare as usual, this year will also include a heavier, more poignant moment, as the parade, set for June 24 at 2 pm, will be followed by a moment of silence to honor those believed to be victims of alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur.
Paris Pride
No city is more synonymous with romance and love than France, so it only makes sense that it should find its way onto this list.
Paris Pride, also known as Marche des Fiertes, lives up to the reputation, bringing hundreds of thousands out into the streets to call for LGBTQ rights and celebrate diversity.
The parade is on June 30, at 2pm, and will be followed by parties, balls, and more, most going down in the gay district of Le Marais.
For three weeks leading up to Pride, The Quinzaine des Fiertés will highlight the LGBTQ community with a series of debates, shows, exhibitions, and parties. It is in its second year, with more than 50 events planned, including Paris Fashion Week.
Madrid Pride
Madrid Pride hosted World Pride and EuroPride last year, and while it will be hard to top those festivities, if anyone is up to the challenge, it's the organizers of Orgullo Gay de Madrid, as it's said in Spanish.
Unofficial parties will begin on June 28, to coincide with the anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising. The parade will take place on July 7, with events wrapping up the next day.
Pride in London
Pride in London events have already begun, but the main event, the parade, is yet to come, set for July 7, starting at 12pm.
It is one of the biggest and most well-attended Pride events in the UK. In addition to the parade, events will include parties, art exhibitions, a prom, sporting events, and more. Expect tons of visitors from all over Europe and abroad to hit the streets and fill the bars and event spaces.
Berlin Pride
Berlin Pride, also known as Christopher Street Day Berlin (CSD Berlin), in honor of the Stonewall Uprising, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.
A march will take place on July 28 at 12:30pm, under the banner " "My body—my identity—my life." Organizers have published 11 demands for LGBTQ rights and visibility, including criminalizing operations on intersex children, increased education about the LGBTQ community, and raising awareness for diversity in the workplace.
Other events will include parties, art exhibitions, lectures, and more.
Pride Amsterdam
Pride Amsterdam is a unique experience, with the city making fantastic use of its legendary canals to create a spectacle like none other. Float-like boats drift along the water, while attendees look on from the sidewalks and bridges.
The parade will take place August 4, and events will begin on July 28, with the annual PrideWalk to Vondelpark, where Pride will officially kick off, with performances, food, and more.
A beach parade is scheduled for July 30, and a closing concert is set for August 5.
EuroPride - Stockholm & Gothenburg
This year's EuroPride will go down in both Stockholm and Gothenburg.
While both Stockholm Pride and Gothenburg Pride are known for hosting great events, this year will take it to a whole new level.
EuroPride will begin in Stockholm on July 27 and run through August 5, with a parade on the 4th, for which they expect some 60,000 participants and 250 floats. Other events and offerings include a human rights conference, a kink tent, and plenty of entertainment.
Next, EuroPride moves on to Gothenburg, where it will take place from August 14 to August 19, coinciding with The Gothenburg Culture Festival, known as Kulturkalaset. It is the biggest culture festival in Scandinavia, with over a thousand events and 1.5 million visitors to the city expected.
The Pride parade will be held August 18. Like in Stockholm, there will be a wealth of options to choose from for attendees beyond the parade, including seminars, film screenings, family activities, and more.