With the dampest, dingiest squib of a British summer now disappearing in a particularly fogged up rearview mirror, are you planning your 2024 holiday itinerary with something more festive and uplifting in mind? From the streets of San Francisco to the cityscapes of Sydney, next year the world will come together to celebrate love, equality, and acceptance for all. Doesn’t that sound like just the ticket?
With the promise of fun and frivolity very much in mind, here are 11 of the world’s biggest and best gay pride events to attend next year; each one a beacon of unity and a celebration of love and equality.
Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, Australia
Every late February through early March, the city of Sydney is awash with a sea of rainbow, as hundreds of thousands of participants from various walks of life descend on the city for one of the world’s largest LGBTQ+ pride celebrations.
The centrepiece of the festivities is the Mardi Gras Parade, an extravagant event that transforms the city with sparkling costumes, elaborate floats, and energetic dance routines performed by the 12’500 marchers and 200 floats. The night-time parade attracts participants and spectators from all over the world, filling Sydney’s streets with a vibrant display of colour and pride.
This year’s main event will be the 46th of its kind, and is happening on Saturday March 2nd with the theme of ‘Our Future’ – expect cosmic, space age sparkles aplenty. The parade is free to watch from public viewing areas, but for the best experience, consider signing up for their mailing list to be the first to know when the full program and ticket details for Grandstand Seating are announced.
On top of all of that excitement, the Mardi Gras Party that follows the parade is another huge highlight. It is Australia’s biggest LGBTQ+ social event featuring a constellation of international and local music stars performing live overlooking Sydney Harbour, creating a fervent atmosphere that lasts till the early hours of the morning. 2024’s lineup is still to be announced, but it’s usually a stellar affair; last year saw Sugababes and Agnes take to the stage!
San Francisco Pride, USA
San Francisco Pride, typically held in the West Coast’s balmy late June, has a rich history dating back to the late 1960s, making it one of the oldest and largest annual LGBTQ+ Pride events worldwide. The two-day celebration culminates in a grand parade that attracts over one million participants, creating an ocean of colour and positivity across the city.
With a celebration closely tied to the city’s identity, one of the event’s most famous facets is the Pride Parade, which takes place on the final day of the celebration. The parade sees a magnificent display of vibrant floats, flamboyant costumes, and thousands of participants from diverse backgrounds, exhibiting an expressive panorama of love, acceptance, and unity.
San Francisco Pride also serves as a platform for political activism. It has been at the forefront of pivotal moments in LGBTQ+ history, including the Stonewall riots and the ongoing fight for true marriage equality. This event beautifully interweaves celebration and activism, reflecting the city’s progressive spirit.
2024’s main event will take place on 29th and 30th of June, but expect plenty of atmosphere and activity in the week leading up to this final climax.
São Paulo Gay Pride Parade, Brazil
Consistently the largest Pride event globally, São Paulo’s Gay Pride Parade is a spectacle not to be missed. This vibrant event, held in late May or early June, boasts a truly massive crowd, and an impressive lineup of floats and performances.
In fact, the São Paulo Gay Pride Parade has previously held the record for the world’s largest gay Pride parade, as recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records. Although the official five-day event begins three weeks before the parade with concerts, performances, cultural fairs, and street markets, the main parade has, in the past, attracted upwards of 4 million people (though, by some estimates, 2019’s World Price NYC has since broken that record).
Numbers aside, São Paulo Pride extends well beyond the parade. It is a week-long event filled with various social and cultural activities, including debates, plays, and parties, ensuring the celebration’s spirit is imbued throughout the city.
Next year, the 24th São Paulo Gay Pride Parade is taking place on Sunday 2nd June.
Madrid Pride, Spain
Fiesta del Orgullo, commonly known as Madrid Pride, traditionally begins on the last Friday of June and continues until the first Sunday of July. The city transforms into a gigantic party filled with music, dancing, and open-air concerts. And with a magnetising Pride Parade that draws two million attendees over the course of the festivities, this event is a testimony to Spain’s increasing commitment to LGBTQ+ rights.
Another trademark of Madrid Pride is the ‘pregón’, the official opening ceremony held at Plaza de Chueca, the heart of Madrid’s LGBTQ+ community. This event features famous faces from that community delivering speeches and kicking off the week-long celebration.
2024’s event will run from Tuesday June 25th to Sunday July 7th 2024, with the parade falling on Saturday 6th.
Sitges Pride, Spain
The Mediterranean beach town of Sitges, just outside Barcelona, hosts one of Europe’s most vibrant and popular LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations. Usually held in the second week of June, Sitges Pride is a week-long fiesta of diversity, inclusion, and seaside fun. Known for its incredible nightlife, charming old town, and welcoming community, Sitges encapsulates the spirit of Pride in every corner.
The town sparkles with fervour and glitz, featuring lively beach parties, a boat parade, and an array of live music, ensuring guests are entertained from dawn till dusk. Being one of the top gay-friendly destinations in Europe, Sitges Pride is an event that truly honours the LGBTQ+ community.
Though much of the event takes place on the streets, tickets are required for some of the private parties, so book well in advance if you’re keen on the full experience. Prices rocket as places and parties sell out.
Read: 5 IDEAL festivals and exciting events in Sitges, Spain
Amsterdam Pride, The Netherlands
What sets Amsterdam Pride apart is its unique Pride Parade, which takes place on water! The city’s Canal Parade sees extravagantly decorated boats navigate the city’s canals, providing a truly unique and memorable experience.
The festivities run from the end of July through the first week in August, with the Canal Parade on Saturday 3rd August 2024. But it’s not just about that party on the water; Amsterdam Pride is also celebrated for its week-long roster of events. The city hosts a range of activities such as parties, concerts, film screenings, sporting events, and debates, making it a cultural as well as a social event.
Toronto Pride, Canada
As the luxury gay travel experts at Mr Hudson tell us, ‘’Toronto is…one of the world’s friendliest LGBTQ cities – with a vibrant community to match.’’
No wonder, then, that Toronto Pride Is now considered one of Canada’s most significant events, renowned for its extensive celebration that marks an entire ‘Pride Month’, typically spanning the month of June. This prolonged period of festivities sets it apart from many other Pride celebrations worldwide.
Toronto Pride is famous for its celebration’s grandeur, featuring a series of events like street festivals, concerts, cultural programmes, family activities, and dance parties held across the city. The culmination, however, is the Pride Parade, a flamboyant spectacle of colourful floats, marching groups, music, and dance. The streets of Toronto come alive with vibrant displays, and the city radiates with an atmosphere of acceptance, love, and unity.
Another distinctive aspect of Toronto Pride is the Trans March, which is one of the largest events of its kind in Canada and around the globe. This event underscores Toronto Pride’s commitment to inclusivity by amplifying voices from all spectrums of the LGBTQ+ community.
Brighton Pride, UK
Known for its jubilant spirit and welcoming atmosphere, Brighton Pride is considered one of the best Pride events in the world. This multi-day festival, next year held from 2nd to 4th August, combines a parade, a music festival, and a massive dance party, making it the ultimate in UK pride events.
The colourful Pride Parade that winds through the city’s streets, showcasing a variety of floats, marching bands, and performers, is perhaps the highlight. The parade represents a broad spectrum of LGBTQ+ organisations, businesses, community groups, and more, making it a vibrant display of unity and inclusivity.
Adding to its fame is its Pride Festival – Pride in the Park – which features live musical performances from top international and local acts. The event’s ability to attract high-calibre artists has transformed it into a music festival as much as a Pride event, offering an exciting blend of celebration and advocacy. The festival attracts some huge name headliners; recent stars to top the bill have included Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, and Nile Rogers and Chic. Wow!
Moreover, Brighton Pride is known for its Pride Village Party, an exciting extravaganza that transforms the Kemptown neighbourhood of this ever inclusive city into a carnival with its outdoor stages, dance tents, and street food stalls. This party, together with the full line-up of cultural events, parties, and social activities throughout the Pride weekend, contributes to Brighton’s reputation as a city of acceptance and celebration.
EuroPride, Various European Countries
Unlike other Pride events that have a fixed location, EuroPride moves about the European continent each year, providing a unique cultural perspective on Pride festivities. 2024’s event, held in Thessaloniki, Greece from the 21st the the 29th of June, promises to bring an unparalleled celebration of love and acceptance, complete with parades, cultural events, and some of the most passionate advocates for equal rights.
It’s an event that truly embodies a spirit of unity and shared community throughout Europe, and if the brilliant bonanza in Malta just a few weeks ago is anything to go by, then 2024 is going to be a blast!
Tokyo Rainbow Pride, Japan
As the largest Pride event in Japan, Tokyo Rainbow Pride is an absolute must for any travel itinerary. This week-long celebration, held in late April to early May, includes parties, film screenings, and lectures, allowing attendees to immerse themselves in Japan’s bustling sense of community. The event reaches its apex with the vibrant Pride parade, providing a colourful array of costumes, musicians, and dancing that beautifully underscores Japan’s growing acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community.
Tokyo Rainbow Pride is also famous for its extensive, extravagant festival, held in the city’s gorgeous Yoyogi Park. This festival includes live musical performances, food stalls, information booths from various companies and organisations supporting the LGBTQ+ cause, and a family-friendly zone, making it an inclusive event for everyone.
Cape Town Pride, South Africa
Cape Town Pride, held in late February or early March, captivates attendees with its collection of art and cultural events, parties, and the grand finale – the Pride Parade and the Pride Festival Mardi Gras. Alongside that incredible parade and festival, events include the Mr & Miss Cape Town Pride pageant, Divas Extravaganza, movie nights, book nights and poetry evenings. Yep, there really is something for everyone here.
But most importantly, Cape Town Pride aims to emphasise the importance of LGBTQ+ rights, with 2023’s event marking 28 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in South Africa. 2024’s promises to be bigger and more important than ever.
The Bottom Line
These events are more than just parties and parades; they are a visible stand against discrimination and prejudice. So, in 2024, make sure you experience the vibrancy, solidarity, and passion that these events offer and join the world in promoting love, equality, and diversity.