Street festivals, music, parades, costumes… when the gay community parties, they certainly do it in style… If you’re wondering where to go on holiday this summer, forget beach resorts or city clubbing; celebrate your LGBT culture at one of these top gay pride events around the world in June and July!
Although gay travel events take place throughout the year, many of the pride events are held around June to mark the anniversary of the Stonewall riots – a defining event in the gay rights movement.
26 – 28 June: San Francisco Pride Parade
Lowdown: Hosting the largest gay pride event in America, California’s famously cosmopolitan city does partying and politics on a massive scale. Hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to San Francisco every June, with more than 200 participants in the parade and 300 exhibitors. 12 different stages and venues host events across the city.
Vibe: There’s something for everyone here. The weekend might start with a big parade (Saturday morning sees marchers gather on Market Street) but it’s also a festival of music, dance, politics, and wild parties that carries on into the early hours.
Stay: In such a tolerant city, you won’t have trouble finding somewhere to rest your weary head. If you’re looking for a San Francisco gay hostel, sociable Elements Hostel has a nightclub and lounge where you can carry on having fun after the day’s events.
More Info: For gay hotspots, nightlife, neighborhoods and where to eat, check out this Gay Travel Guide to San Francisco.
20 – 28 June: Gay Pride Barcelona
Lowdown: New for 2009, Barcelona hope to emanate Madrid’s hugely successful festival. A week of events around Catalonia, such as the LGBT Fire! Film Festival, will culminate in a parade on Barcelona’s Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes and a huge closing party at the Avinguda Maria Cristina, at the foot of the Palau Nacional.
Vibe: Perfect for gay travelers looking for something on a much smaller scale, the first Barcelona gay pride event will have a more alternative feel to the well-established events, with locals buzzing from the excitement.
Stay: Located in Urgell-Gran Via, the city’s famous gay area, Barcelona Rooms is in the perfect spot from which to enjoy the fun.
1 – 5 July: Madrid ‘Orgullo’ Gay Pride and Party
Lowdown: One of biggest events in Europe, it attracted 2 million people to the parade in 2008 and more than 300,000 attended the street parties. The big parade starts at Plaza de la Independencia at 5pm on 4 July, with festivities happening all week around Plaza Chueca, Plaza Vazquez de Mella, Plaza del Ray and Pelayo Street.
Vibe: Loud, vibrant and colorful, the Madrid gay pride festival reflects the city’s insatiable appetite for nightlife and fiestas. Energetic and international, it’s basically one fantastic party with the wonderful backdrop of a cool, cultural city.
Stay: Head to Gay Pizarro Hostal in Cheuca, Madrid’s gay district, or Gay Hostel Puerta del Sol, one of the top gay hostels in Europe.
More Info: Traveling to Madrid? This Gay Scene Guide to Madrid.
has the lowdown on eating, drinking and clubbing.
4 July: Pride London
Lowdown: The climax of two weeks of “queer culture” events (including theatre, art, debate, film and comedy), London hosts a huge parade on Saturday 4 July, along with an afternoon and evening of entertainment. The streets of gay district Soho will be closed off for five stages of music and dance whilst after parties in the city’s big clubs carry you on until dawn.
Vibe: With its emphasis on culture and celebration, the London gay pride festival is one of Europe’s more arty events – with a healthy dose of partying thrown into the mix. The 500,000 strong crowd is a diverse mix of cosmopolitan locals and international visitors.
Stay: London House Gay Hostel is a well-established retreat for gay travelers in North London and a good place to meet other festival-goers.
31 July – 2 August: Amsterdam Gay Pride
Lowdown: A wide variety of street parties (centred around Rembrantplein) and club events take place all weekend to warm up the city for the spectacular and unique canal parade on Saturday through the Prinsengracht and Amstel river. Hundreds of thousands of visitors head to the city every August, making this one of the biggest public events in the Netherlands.
Vibe: Amsterdam has long been notorious for its liberal values and atmosphere, and the pride festival is as fun and lively as you’d expect from such a city – even the city’s government show their support and openness by taking place in the boat parade.
Stay: The Golden Bear was the first exclusively gay hostel in Amsterdam and it remains a very popular place to stay in the city.
For more information on gay travel, gay pride and gay news, head to Pride Life.
Images – thanks to our friends on Flickr, silkaphon, john curley, pridelondon and roman stoppelenburg.
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