Here comes the sun! European summer has just begun which means it’s time to don your sequins, fish out your rainbow flags and hit the streets to celebrate equality, diversity and love at Pride! With so many absolutely fabulous festivals to choose from, here are our top five locations to celebrate Pride in Europe for 2019.
#1 Pride Jubilee in London, England
6 July
From marching down Regent Street to dancing in Soho, London has always been known for throwing an epic Pride celebration. Attracting more than one million members and supporters of the LGBTQ+ community each year, Pride London is certainly one of the biggest in Europe with plenty of events, performances and exhibitions to check out. Plus, this year promises to be bigger and better than ever with the capital celebrating the #PrideJubilee, a theme marking 50 years of the Pride movement. Have you got your outfit sorted? We know we have.
If this has you dreaming of jolly ol’ London make sure you check out our Euro City Trail and Britain & Ireland trips – they’re the perfect way to explore the big city and beyond.
#2 Canal Pride Parade in Amsterdam, Netherlands
2-4 August
What’s multi-coloured, gloriously rowdy and floats down a river? An Amsterdam Canal Parade of course! Known for being one of the most liberal destinations in Europe and a champion of equal rights, Amsterdam’s Pride festival is just as fabulous as it is unique. For the first weekend in August, Amsterdam will transform into a vibrant rainbow of events, parties and exhibitions – not to mention the iconic Pride Drag Queen Olympics held each year. We know we’re sold.
Can’t make it to Pride? Don’t worry! This city has plenty to offer all year round that’s why it’s one of our top trip destinations. Check out our range of trips featuring Amsterdam here.
#3 Christopher Street Day in Berlin, Germany
26-28 July
Known to the locals as Christopher Street Day (CSD), Berlin’s Pride festival is a spectacular fusion of history, activism and partying (and then a bit more partying). Officially kicking off a week before with Europe’s largest street party: Stadtfest Festival, Berlin’s Pride hosts over 200 events and parties with something for absolutely everyone! The CSD parade itself winds through the city and ends in front of the iconic Brandenburg Gate where visitors and locals alike enjoy live performances, blast techno music and party until the early hours. Oh yeah, baby!
Is Berlin on your bucket list? We’ve got plenty of awesome trips stopping in at this cooler-than-cool city so make sure you check them out here.
#4 Join the Rainbow Parade at EuroPride in Vienna, Austria
1-16 June
Two weeks. Over 30 events. And one great big international celebration – EuroPride 2019 will turn the city of Vienna into a buzzing hub of parties, performances and parades celebrating all things #Pride. And the main event? EuroPride Rainbow Parade which will take place along the iconic Ringstrasse boulevard on June 15. When you’re done marching, make sure you head to Europride Village which will be filled with trendy bars, restaurants and international acts performing on Pride Stage. Seriously, this is a weekend you don’t want to miss!
Vienna: famous musicians, great coffee, apple strudel – need we say more? Tick it off your bucket list on one of our numerous trips for every budget this summer.
#5 Barcelona Pride Festival, Spain
27-29 June
The party is in Barça baby! Gather your friends, pack your sunscreen and prepare for two days of fun at Barcelona Pride festival. Promoting love and inclusion, the theme for 2019 is all about being one big family – what’s not to love about that? There are events running all weekend from the opening ceremony on the 27th to the Barcelona Drag Exhibition and Pride Party on the 28th. Then: hit the streets for the LGBTQ+ Pride Parade on the 29th followed by a closing party to end it all with a bang. Let’s do this!
Tapas, sangria and one of the best football teams in the world – it’s high time you checked out this amazing city for yourself. Lucky we have plenty of budget-friendly trips to choose from here.
