The best cities in the world to celebrate Pride Month in 2021

The beginning of June can mean only one thing: it’s Pride Month around the world!

Whether you’re celebrating your own LGBTQ+ rights or those of your friends and family members, we’ve got the perfect list for you: The Best Cities in the World to Celebrate Pride Month in 2021.

These cities are known for their raucous parties and flamboyant marches, all done with a whole lotta love and plenty of spark, and whilst many cities have chosen to go down a virtual route this year, we’ll still be able to find you the perfect city to celebrate love in this June.

New York City, USA

New York is famously the birth place of the Stonewall Riots, which kicked off the fight for LGBTQ rights in June 1969. When police raided a Greenwich Village gay bar in the early hours of June 28 1969, a spontaneous outburst of riots errupted – signalling the beginning of protests and marches that would ultimately culminate in the Pride Month we have today.

This year, celebrate pride in style in the city where the story began. Join their Human Rights Conference on June 21, cook up a storm with Savor Pride’s culinary experience on June 24, or even join the rally, youth pride and street fairs between June 25 and 27. If you’re looking for the grand Finale, make sure you’re there for The March at 12:00PM June 27.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam’s Pride celebrations have been postponed twice now due to the pandemic, but that doesn’t mean the Dutch are letting their 25th anniversary of celebrating Pride go by without doing something. Join them this year a little later than planned: July 31 – August 8. There’ll be over 300 unique events to get you in the spirit. And, they’re looking for volunteers around the world too (you can get involved here).

For anyone in the Dutch capital, you’ll find an open air cinema, plenty of walks, arts and culture and of course, their famous Canal Parade, alongside a photo exhibition on Museumplein (fancy yourself a bit of a photographer? You can enter whether you’re professional or not!).

Taipei, Taiwan

Taipei has the largest Pride event in Asia, and each year over 200,000 people fly to Taiwan’s capital to celebrate their rights. You’ll have to wait until the last Sunday in October if you want to party in Taipei though, as their Pride celebrations are a little later than the rest of us.

There are two routes through the city during their 4-day extravaganza Pride festival, both starting and ending at the Taipei City Hall and winding their way through Taiwan’s streets offering a plethora of fun and extravagent party features. If you really want to get into the thick of it, head for the ZhongZheng District, where you’ll find up to 25 gay bars and shops to check out.

Toronto, Canada

One of the world’s largest Pride events is in Canada’s Ontario capital, Toronto, and it’s not to be missed, as it holds some of the most diverse celebrations you can find. In fact, if you take a look at their calendar, you’ll see there’s so much to take in, it’d be hard to get around to it all. But that’s the beauty of Pride – celebrate as much or as little as you want, and take in as much as you can.

This is Toronto’s 40th year bringing their famous Pride Festival to life, and although many things on the program will stay virtual this year, there are plenty of events to get you talking to people, and celebrating loud and proud. In fact, Toronto are proud to be advocating for marginalized voices this year, as they prioritize “community-focused programming, amplifying local advocacy, and elevating the most marginalized voices in our community”.

Sydney, Australia

Sydney’s bombastic Pride Festival runs from June 3 to June 30, and this year they’re focusing hard on diversity, inclusion, and equality. With both live and virtual events to get signed up for, now’s the time to get involved.

Sydney’s main event has to be their Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, which runs between 18-19 June and is a full weekend of partying and celebrating with plenty of dance moves showcased throughout the weekend. The theme for Mardi Gras is Rise, and is pretty apt for the last year, which was full of pandemic woes, as well as horrendous hardships from wild fires, droughts, and even floods. It’s time to rise, and celebrate everything you are.

Manchester, UK

Manchester’s Pride Parade returns a little later than many of our other featured cities in 2021, taking place on August 28. It’s free to attend, so simply turn up in your best attire and get ready to party!

If you fancy getting into the thick of things a little more and attend the countless live and virtual parties being hosted this year, you’ll need to nab yourself a ticket, and take a look at the plethora of shows and events that they’ve got planned this year. It’s gonna be a big one, so definitely don’t miss out on the Mancunian spirit that eminates from Manchester’s Pride Festival every year.

Madrid, Spain

Did you know that Madrid is known as the capital of charm and joyfulness? Yes, this cosmopolitan city is full of warmth, safety, and a friendly welcome to everyone who wanders its streets (which is why it made it into our blog post about the safest countries on earth for female solo travelers). It’s annual Pride festival MADO takes place in June, culminating in its Chuecas Pride Parade on the 25th.

If you’re ready to pack your bags and head to Spain’s capital, we can totally understand. Their celebrations run throughout the month, with parties, concerts, sports, art and culture and the Pride Summit taking the lead as Spaniards from all over the country come together to celebrate.

That’s not all though, because between 1 and 5 July, there’s another Pride festival you just have to visit if you’re in Madrid. This time it’s the WE PRIDE FESTIVAL, which is packed full of DJs, parties, and productions set both indoors and outdoors. Grab your tickets fast before they’re all gone!

Found your perfect venue to celebrate Pride this year? However you decide to celebrate, stay safe and look after yourself. Above all, Happy Pride Month.