Where to Celebrate Pride 2018 Around the World

If you are planning to attend a pride event this year, why limit yourself to the places you can go locally? Around the world, specifically throughout the Pride Month of June, but outside of that as well, there are hundreds of prides for you to choose from. The only question is, where do you want to go? Check out some of these fantastically fun and dynamic cities and start planning today!

Berlin, July 28

This year sees Berlin’s 40th year hosting a pride event, and its experience in delivering a day to remember shows. Known as one of the gay capitals of Europe, Berlin will hold a parade that starts on the main shopping street Kurfürstendamm, and will weave its way through city park to go around the Siegesäule, before ending at the Brandenburg Gate. Here you will find DJs, musicians and other live entertainment alongside ceremonies celebrating diversity and equality. A welcoming and warm city, people travel the world over to attend Berlin’s pride events, so you will be in great company.

San Francisco, June 23

While we are on the subject of cities with pride staying power, San Francisco is about to host its 47th event. San Fran Pride is, in fact, the birthplace of the the pride flag, and from its humble beginnings this celebration has grown into an internationally-renowned spectacle. This year there will be over 200 parade participants and 300 exhibitors, including some regulars that have contributed to making San Fran Pride famous, like the Dykes on Bikes, Women’s Motorcycle Contingent (WMC) and Leather Pride.

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Copenhagen, August 18

The two-day pride event hosted in the city’s main square is one of the most diverse you will find in Europe. From drag queens to Vikings along with some sports teams in between, Copenhagen’s pride event is truly one for everyone who wants to celebrate equality. The city square itself is transformed into Pride Square throughout Copenhagen’s pride week, and here you will find local food and drinks to sample, including vodka from the Stolichnaya bar. There are stands and stalls for you to buy all the rainbow paraphernalia you might want to get your hands on, as well as talks, exhibitions and a general sense of celebration of all things LGBT.

Las Vegas, October 19

Las Vegas hosts one of the biggest pride celebrations in America, and for its 35th outing promises to be the best the city has held yet. Along with the numerous parades throughout the city, which will all no doubt be spectacular, there are celebrity performers like Britney Spears, and an official club party at the city’s most popular gay club, Pirhana. There is even a night parade for those who want to continue the celebrations even longer, which will take you through all the best parts of downtown Las Vegas.

Paris, June 30

Pride in Paris is more like a carnival than a parade, attracting more than half a million participants each year. The four-hour route takes you through all the attractions you would want to see in Paris, and culminates in a series of open air concerts at Place de la République. And the fun doesn’t stop there, because after these concerts there will be all manner of parties held in the Marais and surrounding areas.

Madrid, July 7

Our final stop for pride is in Madrid, which is home to the largest pride event in Europe. Madrid attracts more than 1.5 million participants and spectators to pride each year, with the parade taking visitors right through the heart of the city, and ending in Plaza de Colón. There are open air concerts featuring Spanish pop, dance, and drag acts, competitions to find the Pride Queen and Mr. Pride, and for those of you who don’t value your ankles (or are secretly Bryce Dallas Howard) there is the famous high heel race in which to take part. Something for everyone, we think you’ll agree!

Other Honourable Mentions

What started out as a picnic in New Orleans back in 1971 has grown into one of the proudest pride events around the world. This parade takes place down Bourbon Street and attracts people from all walks of life. New Orleans pride events are both well-established and have a special place in people’s hearts.

And for our final pride, here is a new event that might be a little different than you would normally expect. Okay, so perhaps there won’t be that many attendees, and of course, there, weather isn’t particularly kind. But we think you’ll agree that the idea of a pride event held in Antarctica surrounded by penguins has quite the appeal. This year is the first pride event for Antarctica, which is the only continent in the world that can truly declare itself 100% LGBT-friendly. We hope there will be many more!

Wherever you are celebrating pride this year, be loud, and be proud!