The international Pride Month is coming to an end, but Europe's LGBT+ celebrations of love, diversity and acceptance continue throughout the summer. With careful planning and an Interrail Global Pass, it is possible to vogue and sashay your way through all of Europe's major pride events, taking in a different city every weekend.
Pride events in Europe are a great way to explore a city because the parades often bop their way past major landmarks. The festivities usually run for long weekends, or even entire weeks, with lots of community events to attend. So grab your rainbow flags, put on your best lewks and head to one of these six pride events in Europe!
Top tip: Europe's cities get busy during their pride events, with limited accommodation and crowded public transport. So book your accommodation and Interrail seat reservations ahead, and arrive early on parade days!
Writer @Interrail
Berlin is known for its diversity and taboo-pusing, so has always been one of the gay capitals of Europe. Berlin's pride, this year on 22 July, is named after the New York street where the Stonewall riots took place - the first major LGBT+ demonstration for better rights. The Christopher Street Day parade runs from Kurfürstendamm to the iconic Brandenburg Gate, where the main stage and finale will take place. After dark, Berlin's infamous nightclub scene will carry the party deep into the night.
Once you have recovered, Berlin's central location within Europe makes it easy to continue to your next pride event with Interrail.
The Netherlands is renowned for its progressive LGBT+ rights and its capital Amsterdam has become a gay capital of the world. Naturally, the whole of Amsterdam comes out for a week-long pride celebration, with the feel of a national holiday.
This year's pride runs from 29 July to 6 August and its exuberant programme includes the Milkshake Festival of queer music and arts, Drag Olympics and Pride Park in Vondelpark. You won't want to miss the canal parade on 5 August along Amsterdam's UNESCO canals - where the floats really will be floating!
If you prefer the coast to canals, then head to the seaside city of Brighton, the gay capital of Britain, just 1 hour train ride from London. Brighton hosts the island's largest pride festival from 4 to 7 August. The main event will be the parade on 5 August, followed by Fabuloso (Pride in the Park), a weekend-long music festival, headlined this year by Black Eyed Peas. I gotta feeling it's going to be a good pride! ;) Make sure to book your Fabuloso tickets in advance.
Top tip: Complete your pride with a quintessential English experience - fish 'n' chips on Brighton's pebbly beach.
Take a trip to central Europe for the youngest pride event on this list. Prague's pride was founded in 2011 and grows bigger every year. In 2023, there will be an entire Pride Week from 7 to 13 August, with a focus on community participation and activism, which takes pride back to its roots. Many events will be hosted in the Pride Village on Střelecký Island, with stunning views of Prague's most famous sights: Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. The event will conclude with a parade on 12 August.
To conclude the most colourful tour of Europe, head north to Scandinavia to get a taste of how Europe's happiest countries celebrate pride. Spoiler alert: they transform their city centres with floods of rainbows and rename major attractions for over a week.
In Stockholm, Scandinavia's largest pride parade will be held on 5 August (2023's main day to be proud in Europe!). Clarion House will become Pride House, hosting discussions and presentations on important issues facing LGBT+ communities. Östermalms IP, a local sports ground, will host Pride Park music festival from 2 to 5 August (ticket required).
If you'd rather live Danishly, then Copenhagen's pride runs from 12 to 20 August. The town hall square, conveniently located near the central station and Tivoli Gardens, will become Pride Square for the week. The parade on 19 August takes extra pride in its diversity, with floats featuring local sports teams, leather dykes and even vikings!
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