10 alternative Pride destinations around the world
Look beyond London, Miami and New York and you’ll find spectacular Pride celebrations in some of the most unexpected corners of the world…
Pride celebrates the resilience of the world’s LGBTQ+ community, along with the progress made in the fight towards equality.
With June marking Pride Month in the US, tied to the anniversary of New York’s Stonewall Riots – a pivotal moment in the gay movement – we list 10 upcoming parades, guaranteed to be loud and very proud.
1. Seattle, USA
When: 29 June
This charming American city has become synonymous with love thanks to the hopelessly romantic Sleepless in Seattle, making it the perfect host for Pride. Seattle celebrated the 50th anniversary of Gay Pride Week in 2024, with hundreds of thousands celebrating the momentous milestone, and the theme for 2025’s event is ‘louder’. As ever, expect a procession of colourful floats, dancing, singing and love.
More information: seattlepride.org
2. Bogota, Colombia
When: 22 June
The capital of one of the most liberal countries in South America held its first ever Pride in 1982, with just 30 participants. Nowadays, Bogota throws one of the best Pride events on the continent, not that we’d expect anything less from the city that claims the world’s largest LGBTQ+ nightclub, based in the city’s gay neighbourhood of Chapinero. In addition to the parade, there’s something in store for everyone, from concerts and parties to exhibitions and conferences.
More information: bogotapride.com
3. Manchester, England
When: 23 August
The LGBTQ+ capital of the north, Manchester’s Pride Parade will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2025. While the main parade will be held on 23 August, celebrations will take place throughout the bank holiday weekend, with Samantha Mumba, B*Witched and Sister Sledge ft Kathy Sledge performing in the Gay Village and Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne and Billy Porter taking over Depot Mayfield for the Mardi Gras festival.
More information: manchesterpride.com
4. Cork, Ireland
When: 3 August
The lives of Ireland’s LGBTQ+ community have changed dramatically in recent years, thanks to the success of the Same-Sex Marriage Referendum in 2015 – a once unimaginable prospect in a country dominated by the Catholic Church. The slew of Pride festivals in cities and towns across the island reflect this hard-won progress. It might be Ireland’s second-largest city, but Cork promises to be unmatched in terms of celebrations this summer. Expect parades, picnics and parties galore.
More information: corkpride.com
5. Reykjavik, Iceland
When: 5-10 August
Twenty-six years ago, some 1,500 people attended Reykjavik’s inaugural Pride event. In an echo of the country’s fiery volcanoes, the numbers have since exploded, with tens of thousands now descending on the charming capital to promote love, acceptance and freedom. One of the world’s biggest little Pride events, the annual spectacle promotes visibility and courage while offering the gay community an essential platform to showcase their pride.
More information: hinsegindagar.is
6. Athens, Greece
When: 14 June
Athens Pride will be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, meaning celebrations will be bigger than ever. Just over a year since same-sex marriage was legalised in the country, festivities will centre on Syntagma Square on 14 June, with the main parade, concerts and other parties.
More information: athenspride.eu
7. Queenstown, New Zealand
When: 15-24 August
The temperatures might differ from London, but the spirit of Queenstown Winter Pride is very much the same. Over 11 days, there will be parties, skiing, snowboarding and mountain walks, culminating in a fabulous bikini parade. Our Kiwi friends describe it as ‘a festival in a small town with a bold heart’. Only the weather will be chilly; everything else will be warm and loving.
More information: winterpride.co.nz
8. Valletta, Malta
When: 14 September
Valletta, the Mediterranean limestone kingdom, will be awash with rainbow colours this September. Their first recorded Pride demonstration occurred more than 20 years ago; the response was muted, but the yearly festivities have blossomed into a key fixture in the island’s calendar. Malta Pride admirably ensures the LGBTQ+ community is kept at the core of the celebrations and avoids pandering to the all-too-common pink-washing by corporate or political propaganda.
More information: maltapride.org
9. Taipei, Taiwan
When: 26 October
Taiwan Pride is one of the loudest and proudest LGBTQ+ events in Asia – hardly surprising, considering the country enjoys some of the most progressive gay rights on the continent. In fact, Taiwan was the first Asian country to recognise same-sex marriage. Tens of thousands descend on Taipei annually for the colourful event. Their upcoming celebration kicks off with a showstopping parade, followed by shows, international DJ sets, special events and, more than likely, a few after-parties.
More information: twpride.org
10. Johannesburg, South Africa
When: 25 October
For 35 years, Johannesburg Pride has been a beacon of resilience, unity and diversity in Africa — and a lifeline for many gay people there who remain at risk of violence and worse. As one of the continent’s oldest and largest Pride events, they champion LGBTQ+ rights while simultaneously showcasing local culture. This year, there will also be another parade of sorts — ahead of the main event, Pride of Africa will present the Fourth Queer Met Gala.
More information: prideofafrica.org
