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It’s always the right time to celebrate LQBTQIA+ pride, but June adds some extra razzle-dazzle. With summer right around the corner, Pride parades are set to take place across the globe in just a few weeks.
While the events are lively and full of revelry, we can’t talk about Pride without acknowledging the recent wave of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation around the world. Hundreds of discriminatory bills were introduced in the United States last year alone, many of them targeting transgender people in particular. However, thanks to the tireless effort of advocates and activists, over 90% of proposed anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation failed to become law.
From the 1969 Stonewall Uprising that catalyzed the LGBTQIA+ rights movement and the 2015 Obergefell ruling that finally legalized same-sex marriage to the ongoing legislative attacks on the queer community, we at Wanderu recognize and honor the hard-fought battles to secure equal rights.
As a queer person in today’s world, you embody pride by simply existing. But there’s something magical about coming together with other queer folks of every shade and stripe to celebrate the triumph of surviving and thriving as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to attend Pride events. Whether you march in a parade, cheer from the street, dress up in rainbow gear, attend a rally, or simply watch as a spectator, your presence at Pride events signals your support of the LGBTQIA+ community as a friendly ally.
To help you find where to celebrate, we’ve collected all the best Pride events planned in 2023 across North America and Europe. Find the event nearest you to show your support! 🏳️🌈
Pride Events in North America
Regardless of hateful rhetoric in politics or in the media, queer folks ain’t goin’ anywhere. Well, except to their local Pride festival, that is. North America is set to host over 60 Pride events this June, even in many places where LGBTIQA+ rights are under attack. Here are details on five of the biggest and best events.
NYC Pride March
June 25, 2023
Various locations in New York, NY
Event website
FULBERT / Wikimedia Commons
Celebrate Pride where it all began — and at one of the biggest Pride events in the world. New York City’s Pride March has a theme every year, and 2023’s is “Strength in Solidarity.”
NYC Pride festivities technically take place all month long, but “officially” across one week of Pride-organized events. It starts with an inspiring Pride Rally on June 17 and ends with a performance by Christina Aguilera on Pride Island on June 25.
In between, check out the LGBTQIA+ Brunch on June 18, honoring Juneteenth and featuring fresh eats by Black chefs and other culinary artists. And you’ll want to lace up your kinkiest boots to stop by the Liberaunchy disco party on June 22.
Anyone is welcome to join the annual Pride March on June 25, the city’s most highly-anticipated summer event. March for free, watch as a spectator from just about anywhere in Lower Manhattan, or buy VIP Grandstand tickets.
San Francisco Parade & Celebration
This year, San Francisco Pride’s theme is “Looking Back and Moving Forward.” In keeping with that, the festivities will focus on honoring elder queer icons, commemorating the historic fight for justice, and encouraging those fighting the battle that continues to this day.
Like NYC, the weekend-long events center around the parade, but that’s just scratching the surface. The city comes alive with pop-up events such as concerts, live dance performances, art installations, and markets. One example includes the Dykes on Bikes Motorcycle Contingent on the morning of June 25, before the main parade.
A Pride Pass gets you into all the action, from Grandstand seating to the afterparty and VIP access to the Asian Art Museum. San Francisco Pride will also honor its Grand Marshals, individuals who have made significant contributions to LGBTQIA+ causes.
Capital Pride
APK / Wikimedia Commons
No matter what’s going on in the halls of Congress, the streets of Washington, DC will be filled with Pride on June 10 & 11.
Day one of Capital Pride starts out with the historic parade winding down a 1.5-mile route in the heart of the city. The unique parade honors the fight for gay rights by taking attendees on a tour through DC to celebrate this year’s theme of “Peace, Love, Revolution.”
On June 11, some 300 LGBTQIA+ exhibitors will put on the Pride Festival, with live entertainment on multiple stages, plus all kinds of food and drink available.
Leading up to the official Capital Pride weekend, DC comes alive with dozens of Pride-related events. There are dance parties, pool parties, and the highly-anticipated Capital Pride Pageant.
Mexico City Gay Pride/Marcha del Orgullo LGBT
June 24, 2023
Angel of Independence statue & Zocalo in Mexico City, Mexico
Event website
Mexico City is already lively, to say the least, so you can just imagine how off-the-charts this place is during Pride. Indeed, the 250,000 people who flood the streets can tell you exactly how much fun it is to celebrate queer identity in such a raucous, vibrant city.
Gay culture has had a long road to acceptance in Mexico City — in the 1960s and ‘70s, all gay bars in the city were outlawed and closed. Knowing that makes the colorful, over-the-top modern Pride celebrations even more special.
Well-known gayborhood Zona Rosa is a staple of Mexico City’s Pride festivities, with dozens of hot bars and nightclubs. The real star, however, is the Pride parade, which starts at the Angel of Independence statue and makes its way to the Zocalo, where an all-night fiesta ensues.
Toronto Pride
June 23-25, 2023
Bloor, Church, Yonge, and Dundas Streets in Toronto, Canada
Event website
Neal Jennings / Wikimedia Commons
In 1981, Toronto experienced its own uprising, similar to the Stonewall riots. Police raided gay bathhouses in the city, leading to protests dubbed Operation Soap. Over 40 years later, out and proud queers honor that legacy by taking to the Toronto streets in what is one of the largest Pride parades in North America today.
More than one million people are expected to attend the festivities this year, including the annual parade from Bloor and Church Streets to Yonge and Dundas Streets.
In addition to the parade, Toronto Pride includes several live music performances, movie nights, and themed block parties. The StreetFair is one of the most popular events, largely because of its inclusivity and accessibility. You’ll find sober spaces, wellness centers, and even family-friendly areas with food vendors and carnival-style games.
Pride Events Across North America
Pride is all around you, literally! June is the official Pride Month in the United States, but there are plenty of activities honoring the LGBTQIA+ community all year long across North America. Here’s everything happening in 2023.
Pride Events in Europe
Like North America, there’s no shortage of Pride events taking place in Europe throughout the year. Whether you just have to get across town or you have to jet-set across an ocean, we encourage you to attend a Europe Pride event this summer. There are more than 30 events to choose from, but here are the 5 biggest.
Paris Pride March/Marche des Fiertés
June 25, 2023
Michel Bizot & Place de la République in Paris, France
Event website
John Samuel / Wikimedia Commons
The City of Love really shows out for Pride. Over half a million people will gather in Paris, France, on June 25 to commemorate the equal rights movement and celebrate LGBTQIA+ love.
Nearly 100 organizations supporting causes ranging from HIV/AIDS awareness to trans youth come together for the march in this city that couldn’t be more mushy gushy if it tried. The non-profit walk accompanying the main march raises money for these organizations to continue their vital work for LGBTQIA+ folks in France.
This year, one of the most highly-anticipated events at the Pride March in Paris is the return of the Grand Podium. After a three-year hiatus, this free event is back and better than ever! Expect six wild hours of DJ sets, drag shows, concerts, and other surprises.
Pride in London
July 1, 2023
Hyde Park in London, England
Event website
Fæ / Wikimedia Commons
From Hyde Park all the way to Whitehall Place, Pride takes over London every July. There are many Pride events throughout the UK, but this is THE one to attend!
Like most cities, the Pride parade is the main event, but there’s also plenty to do and see in the week leading up to it. Concerts, drag shows, themed dance parties, and even queer-friendly cruises and tours of the city will all be on offer.
On parade day, 500 organizations and over 30,000 parade-goers descend upon the city for the festivities, which include exhibits, classes, theatrical productions, food, and more. If you’re not marching in the parade, snag the best seat in the house by purchasing Grandstand tickets for iconic Hyde Park. Stages in Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Golden Square, and Soho all have activities along the route.
Madrid Pride Parade
June 23 – July 2, 2023
Madrid, Spain
Parade runs from Atocha train station to Plaza de Colón; events held all over the city
Event website
Ted Eytan / Wikimedia Commons
Started from the bottom, now we’re here, as Drake would say. Madrid’s Pride parade used to be one of Europe’s smaller, more low-key celebrations. However, in the past decade or so, it’s exploded to be one of the largest Pride events on the continent! In 2019, Madrid even hosted EuroPride, arguably one of the biggest celebrations on the planet!
The Chueca neighborhood will light up with parades, music, colorful costumes, and food for over a week. The main event, the parade on July 1, starts at Atocha Station and ends in Plaza de Colón and historically, it has featured reading from the Manifesto of Freedom, Inclusion, and Diversity.
One of the best and most unique things about Madrid Pride is that the festivities take place across the entire city. Madrid is a particularly gay-friendly destination, so you can explore the amazing city while also participating in Pride!
Christopher Street Day Berlin Pride
June 28 – July 23, 2023
Berlin, Germany
Event website
Across Europe — and especially throughout Germany — you might hear Pride referred to as Christopher Street Day (CSD). This is a nod to the Stonewall Inn’s address in NYC, where the 1969 riots occurred.
In Berlin, which is widely considered one of the most gay-friendly places in the world, this day is celebrated with lively parades and parties for the LGBTQIA+ community. Festival attendees honor those who came before them in the fight for equality by marching from Kurfürstendamm to the Brandenburg Gate, and continuing the fun with the House of Pride party. Tickets are on sale for this party, and you can purchase access to the full event or a more limited version.
This year, Berlin Pride is thrilled to offer various digital formats of speeches given by various LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups for non-German speaking attendees.
Stockholm Pride
July 31– August 6, 2023
City Hall & Pride House in Stockholm, Sweden
Event website
Jon Åslund / Wikimedia Commons
Sweden hosts one of the largest Pride festivals in all of Scandinavia. A week’s worth of lively events culminates with the parade on August 6, starting at City Hall and weaving through the city for about two hours.
Pride Park is one of the best features, an open-air festival in the heart of the city. It includes everything from food vendors and live performances to dance parties and family-friendly events.
The other mainstay of Pride in Stockholm is Pride House, which is a place for queer people and allies to come together and learn via seminars, workshops, galleries, and even political debates. The Pride House 2023 is completely free to the public and will be open from July 31 – August 6. The organization also runs Pride Young, for LGBTQIA+ youth to safely gather and celebrate.
Pride Events Across Europe
Europe does Pride right all year long. Unlike most of North America, the festivities aren’t confined to just the month of June here, so you’ll find a much wider range of event dates. Here are all the Pride celebrations going on in 2023 across Europe.
Happy Pride!
From all of us at Wanderu, we’re proud to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community every day — and to help you do the same. We hope you can attend at least one or two Pride events this year in North America or Europe, whether to celebrate your unique identity as an LGBTQIA+ individual or as a supportive ally.
Before finalizing any travel plans, be sure to check out the best deals and book your trip on www.wanderu.com or through the free Wanderu app! Safe travels!
