June is a great time for a city break chiming in with Pride marches/parades and festivals in an array of fantastic cities around the world, all celebrating lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights and achievements as well as doubling up as demonstrations for legal rights. The following take place mainly in June in commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots in NYC – a turning point in modern LGBTQ social movements.
The French capital’s Marche des Fiertés LGBTQ – which began in the 1980s – starts at Place de la Concorde and threads its way through the central districts of Châtelet, Le Marais, Pont de Sully and Bastille, taking over mighty Place de la République for a huge party. Come early for build-up celebrations in the gay district, Le Marais. The event is also part of the Paris Pride Fortnight.
Note also that Disneyland Paris is celebrating Pride on 11 June, with an exclusive parade, live music and lots of family-focused fun.
The 52nd annual San Fran Pride returns after a two-year hiatus on a ‘Love Will Keep Us Together’ theme and will include rallies and more than 20 community-run stages and venues, including the Trans Stage and the Sober Drag Show, plus a main stage at the bottom of the City Hall steps on Polk Street.
New York City’s Pride celebrations kick off on 15th June with an array of screenings and other events designed for all ages, in venues around the city. The parade is the culmination – a march first held in held in 1970 and now an annual civil rights demonstration. Beginning at noon, it passes the Stonewall National Monument and the New York City AIDS Memorial before winding up in Chelsea.
The biggest and most diverse Pride in Britain is a special one for 2022, celebrating 50 years of Pride in the UK. As well as the parade of 300+ floats and performing groups through central London to Trafalgar Square, this year also sees the return of Pride's Got Talent for the 10th year, elevating LGBT+ talent in two categories, Music and Cabaret, with the winners of each will performing on a stage on 2 July. The Pride festival as a whole comprises a programme of events showcasing LGBT+ culture, including theatre, dance, art, cinema, parties and other activities across the city.
Amsterdam’s event, this year themed ‘My gender, my pride’, is one of Netherlands’ largest publicly held annual events, with street and dance parties over an entire weekend. It’s centred on the unique Canal Parade, which sees about 80 lavishly decorated boats and barges with onboard DJs cruising the city’s famous canals, celebrating the past, present and future of the LGBTI community. The route goes from Oosterdok to to Westerdok, via the Nieuwe Herengracht, Amstel and Prinsengracht.
Bearing a motto this year of ‘United in Love! Against Hate, War and’ Discrimination’, this annual event – which first took place in 1979 – will be a mask-wearing, protest-focused event with the party element taking a back seat for 2022. That said, Pride Month Berlin remains a lively time of LGBTQ-related events from film screenings to boat parties, and there is also the smaller Kreuzberg Pride with its more local vibe.
If you’re already looking to Pride Month 2023, Celebrity Cruises® will be hosting its annual Pride Party at Sea. Every ship will be taking part in the celebration, bringing crew and guests together to honour and celebrate Pride with destinations including the Eastern Med, Alaska, Scandinavia, the Italian Riviera and Iceland. Onboard events include a flag raising ceremony, a pride party and guest entertainers.
To book flights/train and accommodation package for your Pride city break, or for more information or inspiration, contact your Travel Counsellor today.
This September, South Africa opens its doors to an extraordinary opportunity that happens just once a year. SA National Parks Week 2025 offers something truly special – free access to some of the country's most spectacular natural landscapes. This week presents the perfect chance to explore South Africa's incredible biodiversity without the usual entrance fees.
When you think of Mexico, it’s likely that places such as Cancun, Tulum, and Playa del Carmen come to mind, but away from the tourist hotspots lies a region that stands out for its diverse landscapes, cultural heritage, and historical landmarks. Chihuahua, the largest of Mexico’s states, offers something for every type of traveller, and this guide to the region’s highlights will give you a glimpse of what makes this destination so extraordinary. Ready to discover a new destination to tick off your bucket list?
For those who love the great outdoors, Canada’s national parks are nothing short of extraordinary. With 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves, the country offers an endless array of natural wonders, from dramatic mountain ranges to peaceful coastlines. Each park has its own unique charm, making it easy to see why so many people return year after year. To help you plan your next adventure, we’ve highlighted five parks that truly shine in summer and early autumn - perfect for wildlife spotting, scenic hikes, and moments of pure stillness surrounded by nature.
