The 10 Best Pride Festivals Around the World

Let your international rainbow flag fly.

AnotherPride seasonis upon us , and once again we ’re here , we ’re odd , and we ’re simplygaggingfor a kiki . That means if you ’re not already in a boozy , rainbow - hue daze , you belike will be shortly . Pride is about more than just the political party , though . It ’s a time for us to come together ( queers , qweens , and allies alike ) to celebrate the diversity that work the LGBTQ+ community so particular .

There are plenty ofbattles left to fight , but it ’s important to celebrate our victories — and what better way than party with mythological community across the ball ? Each city is all unequalled , but they all have one thing in vernacular : They sleep with how to do Pride like nowhere else . From the sunny , salacious , and ever - so - slightly sordid to politically given and family - well-disposed marches , it ’s time to put on your hottestlewkand have a goddamn Lucille Ball .

Bangkok

June 4–31On any given mean solar day , Silom Road ’s peculiar stern pulsate like an loony toons trip , with Ne lights , gogo dancers , and thumping puff / homosexual / whatever exclude at every recess . But this June , it ’s go to be extra special , not least because it ’s just been announced thatBangkokwill be hosting World Pride 2028 . The festivities kick off with a parade on June 4 , which will begin at the Bangkok Art and Culture Center and follow the theme of " Beyond Gender . " After the parade , theSiam Centerwill be hosting live performances by Proxie , BNK48 , and artists fromDrag Race Thailand , inaddition to a line - up of art exhibitions dust throughout the month .

São Paulo

June 7–11Things are looking up for Brazil , which welcomed left - wingPresident Luiz Inácio Lula da Silvaearlier this year . And with changing lunar time period , this year ’s Pride is sure to be as vibrant as ever . São Paulo has been hosting an annualPride Paradesince 1997 , and holds the deed for the big of its form in the Guinness Book of World Records . It attracts nearly three million mass each year from all over Brazil and country throughout South America . The parade starts in front of the Museum of Art of Sao Paulo at Avenida Paulista : Expect floats , feathers , and reggaetón aplenty . But before you conjoin in on the parade , get the political party commence early at theLGBTQ+ Diversity Fair , happening June 8 .

Dublin

June 20–25Dubliners know how to throw a good party . This dry pint - sized city explodes into a sea of emerald green every year , as its ancient street backdrop one of Europe ’s big celebration : St. Patrick ’s Day . And Pride is no different . Ever since the first parade in 1983,Pride ’s become one of Ireland ’s most important and celebrated events , changing hearts and psyche in the process . The preponderantly Catholic Republic of Ireland voted for same - sex wedding in 2015 in a referendum head by a gay Prime Minister .

Dublin ’s stately boulevard , O’Connell Street , transforms into a flurry of rainbows , and this year , it ’ll be exposed wholly for the first meter . The parade wrap up in Merrion Square ( where you ’ll fleck a mythical sculpture of Oscar Wilde , made of precious gemstone ) . essay to nab an invite to a individual ‘ members ’ party ( often held in eccentric clandestine venues , like a basement of a Taiwanese eatery ) , as Dublin ’s licensing constabulary means the night is cut short at 12:30 am .

New York

June 18 – 25The Big Apple iswhere it all beganback in 1970 , with several hundred protestors parade from Greenwich Village to Central Park demanding an end to discrimination against LGBTQ+ people , a year after the Stonewall Riots . Today’sNYC Prideis one of the biggest and most brazenly queer festivity globally , with over four million people getting involved . It ’s also one of the most commercialize — but if you may handle all those collective ice-cream float , there ’s no near time to be in the big metropolis . There ’s no shortage of places to pledge , dance , and flirt , when it comes to afterparties . This year , Christina Aguilera will be headlining Pride Island at Brooklyn Army Terminal . And if you want something more low - key ( but no less fun ) , check out theDyke Marchthe 24-hour interval before , celebrating lesbians and allies who march in solidarity against hate and dogmatism .

San Francisco

June 24–25San Fran : It ’s time to snap up your wig , glisten , and finest gown . San Francisco is one of the world’spremier Pride events , but like many on this list , it ’s been accused of " rainbow - washing " in late eld , with Silicon Valley - style corporations carbon monoxide gas - opting the flotillas . That said , San Francisco has lose none of its original Pride magic — the LGBTQ+ community has respond by fashioning its own serial of unique celebrations .

The country ’s biggestTrans Pridecelebration take place around Mission Dolores Park on the Friday before Pride , while micro - venue open their threshold to all - day - and - Nox party on the Saturday . Alongside Pride , insure out theNational Queer Arts Festival , running from June 9 to July 2 . San Francisco also holds the earth ’s big kink fest in September : Folsom Street Fair . It ’s a must - go if leather and fetish gear are your thing .

Toronto

June 1–30One of the biggest Pride celebrations in the human beings takes place over the course of June , culminate in thePride paradesthat shut down out the month ( including aDyke MarchandTrans March ) . Toronto ’s streets are flooded with masses who ’ve arrive out to celebrate not just the LGBTQ+ community of interests , but also everyone else who do it being themselves and have fun . Exhibitions , film fests , and ginormous parties complement the main result , and there ’s normally a sonic - blasting all - day - rave atthe TreeHousetowards the end of June .

Mexico City

June 23–25The magnificent grandeur of Mexico City plays out to a godforsaken , calendar week - tenacious extravaganza during Pride . The parade itself happens on the last Saturday of June each yr , with theMarcha de Orgullo . It ’s been over 40 years since the county ’s first protestation against LGBTQ+ favoritism . Thousands will gather around the Angel of Independence statue in the leafy " Pink Zone , " a.k.a . Zona Rosa , the gay - friendly district , for a vibrant march along Paseo de la Reforma . The main upshot conclude at Zocalo , the city ’s big key foursquare . Mexico pack a punch for late - night afterparties : determine out the officialFacebook pagefor the complete tilt of Pride - concern shenanigans .

London

June 1 – July 1London is one of the most divers metropolis in the world , and that shows in its Pride celebrations . “ Upwards of 1.5 million attendees flock to our capital , ” says Haven Thorne , head of PR forLondon Pride . “ This class , the parade recoil off at Hyde Park Corner , the web site of the first 1972 march , also where mining community present solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community in 1985 . ” It continues down Piccadilly Circus through Trafalgar Square before culminating at Whitehall Place ( home to the House of Parliament ) .

Soho is a central ingredient of Pride , off from the political sympathies and commercial floats . The ever - beating center of London ’s LGBTQ+ residential area is a must - see if pulsing fairy EDM anthems and an anything - go atmospheric state gets you up and dance all night . Be certain to tally outThe Real Housewives of Sohodrag extravaganza , host byThe Next Drag Superstarwinner Vesalia .

Berlin

July 20–23One of theworld ’s political party uppercase , Berlin ’s rainbow iris has been fleet happily for long time now , with some of the most inclusive(and candidly , out there ) LGBTQ+ night life in Europe . This year is no exception . Berlin Pride is named in honour of the street where the Stonewall Riots started . Christopher Street Daycomprises two stand - out event : the main parade , which leaves from Ku’damm and Joachimsthaler Strasse and ends at the Brandenburg Gate ; and the rally , a stage hosting talk , pull queen / B. B. King performances , and high - octane dj set . The prescribed principal party of CSD Berlin , House of Pride , is a highlight .

Reykjavik

August 8 – 13Reykjavik may be one of Europe ’s most remote capitals , but that does n’t intend it is n’t ready for its last - up . Thanks to its relaxed vibe , pristine natural dish , and favorable locals , Reykjavik is an amazing city for LGBTQ+ travelers ( and everyone else ) . It ’s also one of the most reform-minded countries in Europe when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights — it was one of the first countries to legalize same - sex marriage back in 2010 . Two - one-third of the country take part every year . Once , the urban center mayor evenmarched in puff — which is pretty damn fierce . Be trusted to curb out theOfficial Reykjavik Pride Closing Party , led by legendary band Stjórnin , on August 6 .

Reykjavik Pride festival