This bank holiday weekend is gearing up to be the queerest one yet with a wide array of events and parties to get involved in. We picked the top nine best things happening to make this weekend a phenomenal one. So go out and have a blast!

Belfast Pride Parade – Belfast, Saturday. 3rd August

Belfast Pride Parade will be taking off in style this Saturday, 3rd August. With the exciting news of LGBT+ marriage equality in the North, this is sure to be the biggest celebration of Belfast Pride yet. This years theme is #RightsNow, paying homage to the legendary activist Marsha P.Johnson’s quote, “Darling, I want my gay rights now”. GCN spoke to Sean O’Neil about the significance of this years Belfast Pride in the August Issue 356. The Parade this Saturday is sure to be an unforgettable experience. 

Cork Pride Parade – Cork, Sunday, 4th August

Following the spirit of Pride and celebration, Cork Pride Parade will be flying their fabulous colours through the city on Sunday, August 4th. Not to mention the always amazing After Party, hosted by the phenomenal Paul Ryder. The Old Moderns and RDC, from Ireland’s Got Talent, will be providing live music to turn the party. This year’s Pride will see the debut of Ireland’s youngest drag queen, the exceptional Karma O’Hara. Cork Pride is going all out this year and you don’t want to miss it. 

LINC Pride – Cork, Saturday, 3rd August

As part of Cork Pride Festival 2019, LINC (Lesbians in Cork) will be launching a Women Only Pride party called WOAH! on Saturday, August 3rd. This event marks the 20th anniversary of LINC, celebrating the empowering queer women who came before and paved the way. Held in Kino, an arts centre in Cork, this event will see extraordinary performances from LINC Drama Group, Sparkle Band, and DJ Andrea. With a line-up of such incredible talent, this celebration will be a standout.

GAZE LGBT+ Film Festival – Dublin, Tuesday, 1st August, to Monday, 5th August

From its humble beginnings as a queer film club at the IFI, GAZE has gone from strength to strength. This year the LGBT+ film festival has made a splash with a vast diversity of films capturing all walks of LGBT+ life. Across the weekend, there will be a variety of films and events to enjoy. GAZE truly has something for everyone to enjoy, from Drag Queen Storytime on Monday, 5th August, to truly stunning movies. Over the bank holiday weekend, treat yourself to a truly wonderful time immersed in current LGBT+ culture and if you can’t decide what to see check out our top 7 picks of unmissable events.

MobDoc Workshop – Dublin, Saturday, 3rd August

GAZE is bringing back the amazing MobDoc (Mobile Filmmaking) Workshop to encourage the creation of Irish LGBT+ film content. This workshop is an empowering experience as it teaches people how to tell a story, engage in their creativity, and find their voice. The aim  of the workshop is to introduce people to the potential to make a queer themed film on their own mobile phone by talking about filmmaking techniques and intersectional diverse storytelling. As technology changes, different mediums of storytelling have emerged and GAZE continues to think ahead with their MobDoc Workshops.

MobDoc Workshop is a practical interactive workshop that goes through the basics in a fun and interesting way and one that encourages people to consider telling their own story through a mobile made film. The workshop is led by Deirdre Mulcahy, who has spent the last 12 years training BBC journalists and a prominent BBC camerawoman, and Jamie Starboisky, curator of the UK Queer Media Festival in Manchester. People can come along with no prior filmmaking experience: all you need is a mobile phone  and a positive attitude. MobDoc Workshops gives the chance to learn from the best of the best and a way to channel your inner filmmaker.

Mother GAZE After Party – Dublin, Saturday, 3rd August

If you are heading down to see Knife + Heart at GAZE on Saturday, 3rd August, why not pop on over to Mothers Knife + Heart Afterparty. DJ SHREM will be taking to the decks and providing the best tunes for your enjoyment. Bringing music from French 70’s electronic Studio 54 vibes to electro and house, there is plenty to groove to. This glamorous party is the perfect ending to an electric movie. Check out the event page for a chance to get on the free list. 

ACT UP Ireland: United And Angrier Than Ever – Dublin, Monday, 5th August

ACT UP Dublin in partnership with GCN will be delivering a panel titled ‘ACT UP Ireland: United And Angrier Than Ever’ on Monday, 5th August. The panel is set to be a fascinating examination of what is required in terms of HIV/AIDS activism. There will be a range of activists speaking at the panel, such as Will St Leger, ACT UP Dublin and Grand Marshall at Dublin Pride, and Managing Editor of GCN, Lisa Connell.
Greg Own, IWantPrEPNow founder, Monica Pearl, original ACT UP member, and Brian Mullin will be talking in the panel. So make sure to get tickets to this engaging and moving talk. 

DADDI – Dublin, Saturday, 3rd August

DADDI will be celebrating their 5th year birthday of men-only parties this Saturday, 3rd August at Voodoo Lounge, Dublin. This will definitely be an unforgettable birthday party, with one lucky person being in for a chance to win a trip to DADDI at Bear Pride Luxembourg. International award-winning DJ Alejandro Alvarez and the incredible DJ Paddy Scahill will be turning the party with their outstanding sets. Tickets online are €10 and €12 at the door. 

Bukkake – Dublin, Sunday, 4th August

Is it getting hot in here or is it just Bukkake Heatwave? If you were left wanting more after their sellout Pride Party, Bukkake is back again this bank holiday weekend. The doors of the Opium Room will be opening at 10pm. The immensely talented Stephen Dowling will be taking over the Pop Room and DJ Paddy Scahill, Rafael Mafra, and Sean Ratchford bringing the dancing fever to the main room.