Pride weekend is nearly upon us and no doubt you are all excitedly planning your social diaries around it. Dublin Pride has grown massively over the years and has carved out a niche for itself as one of the best weekends in the Irish social calendar but that’s no reason not to cast your gay gaze further afield.
Who doesn’t love Pride and who doesn’t love a good holiday? Combine the two and you have the perfect ingredients for an amazing time. Many cities around the world celebrate Pride and most of them make a half decent effort!
There are a few that really stand out from the rest as iconic queer destinations. In the spirit of Pride we have helpfully compiled a list of the best. Some of them you have missed already but there’s no reason why you can’t start planning for next year!
Madrid
Madrid Pride is one of the largest events of its type to take place in Europe and can attract over 1 million revellers – with 300,000 coming from overseas. Last year Madrid hosted World Pride and this year it intends to set the bar even higher. If you like gorgeous guys and girls, partying in the sun and a bursting dance scene then this is definitely the event for you.
Brighton
Brighton Pride takes place the first week in August and is widely regarded as the best pride festival in the entire UK as well as been called one of the best in the world by the Lonely Planet Guide. This year, Britney Spears is headlining the main stage and if that isn’t enough to excite you, I don’t what is. For a lively pride in a laid-back seaside town, check this one out.
Berlin
One of the great things about Berlin is its determination to do things on its own terms and Pride is no different. While still an essential feature of any good gay bucket list, it is a markedly different festival than other more raucous affairs. It takes place in mid July each year and the focus is firmly on the political, and a celebration of shared history. There is a huge parade though, as this being Berlin there’s also plenty of frivolities to go alongside your politics.
New York City
NY is the city where it all began so it stands to reason that they’ll bring their A-game. The festival takes place the last weekend in June, the highlight of which is the vast parade which marches past The Stonewall Inn – a hugely important historical location for the gay rights movement. Expect a ton of different theme nights celebrating the multifaceted LGBT+ community.
São Paulo
Nowhere does festivals like Brazil, so it should come as no surprise that Sao Paulo Pride leads the pack when it comes to sheer Wow Factor. It takes place the first weekend in June so you’ve already missed this years one, but be sure to mark it in your calendar for next year as it was recently voted by Grindr users as the best Pride festival in the world.
London
One of the oldest events in the Pride calendar, running since the early 70’s, London Pride typically takes place the first weekend in June. The event attracts upwards of half a million people and quite literally takes over the city. There’s a vast array of events for every persuasion and the event is capped with a colourful parade which runs through the central of the city.
Sydney
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In terms of getting there it’s obviously going to be a bit of a trek but it’s totally worth the effort. Taking place in February, it’s the perfect time to treat yourself after what is sure to be a horrendous Irish winter. The Sydney Mardi Gras is one of the biggest events in the Australian tourist calendar and attracts foreign travelers in droves. The event grew out of the gay rights movement and is about as colorful a celebration of gay life as you can get.
Amsterdam
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Amsterdam Pride kicks off the last weekend in July and lasts for a week, culminating in the epic Canal Parade which features elaborate floats making their way down the waterways. The festival consists of smorgasbord of events which celebrate gay life and culture.
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