London
London will be buzzing with LGBTQIA+ pride celebrations in 2025, offering a dynamic mix of events which showcase diverse voices and foster inclusivity. Start with Queer Migrant Pride Fest (22 June), hosted at St. Margaret’s House in Bethnal Green. This powerful festival celebrates the intersectionality of LGBTQIA+ and migrant communities, featuring performances, art exhibitions, and discussions that highlight the resilience of queer migrants and refugees.
The celebrations continue with Pride in London on 5 July, featuring a vast parade that winds through central London with dazzling floats, live music in Trafalgar Square, and a vibrant after-party in Soho’s bars and clubs. Finally, add a reminder to the calendar for UK Black Pride’s 20th Anniversary on 10 August at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. This milestone event celebrates the African, Asian, Middle Eastern and Latinx LGBTQIA+ communities with electrifying performances, panels, and a lively parade, all underlining the importance of unity and activism.
While in London, explore iconic LGBTQIA+ venues like Heaven in Charing Cross, or visit the Queer Britain Museum in King’s Cross for an immersive look at LGBTQIA+ history.
Brighton
Brighton is renowned for its vibrant LGBTQIA+ community, and 2025 promises a packed lineup of events. Brighton & Hove Pride (2 to 3 August) is the city’s show-stopping celebration, bursting with dazzling parades, spectacular live music and the theme of ‘Ravishing Rage’. The Pride Parade kicks off the weekend, followed by Pride in the Park at Preston Park, where international headliners like Mariah Carey and the Sugababes will take to the stage. Before that, from 10 to13 July, the city hosts Brighton Bear Weekend, a fun-filled gathering for bears, cubs, and their friends, featuring events like garden parties, club nights, and bear-a-oke, all in support of the Brighton Rainbow Fund. For a taste of Brighton’s LGBTQIA+ scene, visit the iconic Legends Bar for a night of entertainment. Or head to Brighton’s gay institution, The Queen’s Arms on George Street, a welcoming bar known for its community feel and flamboyant cabaret shows. Brighton’s seaside bars, pubs and clubs offer something for every taste, making the city one of the UK’s top LGBTQIA+ destinations.
Manchester
Manchester is a city that truly knows how to celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride, with a jam-packed schedule of events in 2025. The Sparkle Weekend (27 to 29 June) celebrates gender diversity as the world’s largest free event for the transgender community. Visitors can enjoy a weekend of live music, talks and workshops in Manchester’s Gay Village.
Manchester Pride (15 to 25 August) is one of the UK’s biggest Pride celebrations, turning the city into a festival of colour, music and activism. The action kicks off with the Pride Parade, a joyful march of solidarity through the heart of the city. The Gay Village Party on Canal Street promises a weekend of dancing, performances, and celebrations, while the Mardi Gras Festival at Depot Mayfield welcomes top musical acts.
For more nightlife fun, head to Canal Street, known for its iconic bars and clubs, including The Molly House. Party on at hotel and venue New Union, one of the first openly gay venues in Manchester, which hosts jolly karaoke nights.
Glasgow
Celebrate LGBTQIA+ pride in Glasgow this summer with Pride Glasgow 2025 (19 July) at Barrowland Ballroom. The city bursts into life with a vibrant rainbow parade and a lively festival offering music, bars, and a carnival atmosphere. After the festivities, keep the party going with a visit to Katie’s Bar, an LGBTQIA+ hotspot in Merchant City, or head to The Riding Room or The Speakeasy for more nightlife fun. For something a bit different later in the year, look out for the Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF) from 28 October to 1 November 2025. This non-profit festival showcases unique and often lesser-known LGBTQIA+ films from around the world, challenging inequalities and promoting arts accessibility for the queer community.
Birmingham
Birmingham Pride (24 to 25 May) returns for a lively celebration of LGBTQIA+ culture over the May bank holiday weekend. Visitors can expect a vibrant and energetic parade through the city centre, accompanied by performances from top artists, drag shows, and live music. The festival takes over the Gay Village too, with a mix of street parties, bars and community events promising a fun-filled weekend of inclusivity, love and diversity. While in Birmingham, be sure to explore the LGBTQIA+ scene in the iconic Hurst Street/Gay Village, home to a variety of venues like The Nightingale Club. With its welcoming atmosphere and rich history, Birmingham Pride is an experience that showcases the heart of the city’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Cardiff
Get ready for a fabulous celebration of Welsh and LGBTQIA+ pride in Cardiff this summer. Pride Cymru (21 to 22 June) is set to light up the Welsh capital with more than 50,000 attendees joining in on the festivities. Expect a buzzing weekend of live performances from top Welsh and international pop acts, a boisterous cabaret garden, a cultural market, funfair rides and a family zone. While in Cardiff, don’t miss the city’s LGBTQIA+ hotspots. Head to The Golden Cross, one of the oldest gay pubs in Wales, or check out The Rummer Tavern for a chic cocktail bar experience. For an exciting nightlife experience, dance the night away at Pulse, Cardiff’s premier LGBTQIA+ club with top DJs and a vibrant atmosphere. Also, mark the calendars for Iris Prize Film Festival (13 to 19 October 2025), Cardiff’s LGBTQIA+ answer to Cannes Film Festival. With an exciting line-up of short films, features, panel discussions, and parties, this festival showcases global queer cinema and amplifies LGBTQIA+ voices in film.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh Pride (21 June) marks the oldest pride event in Scotland, bringing together thousands of people for a vibrant day of parades, music and parties. Expect a colourful procession through the heart of the city, with live performances, a family-friendly zone, and a buzzing community vibe. While in town, check out Edinburgh’s LGBTQIA+ venues, including bars CC Blooms and The Street. For those looking for a fun-filled night out, Planet is one of Edinburgh’s most popular LGBTQIA+ night clubs with drag shows and a lively dance floor.
LGBTQIA+ celebrations across Britain…
UK Pride Portsmouth, Hampshire, England
7 June 2025
Portsmouth is set to dazzle as it hosts UK Pride on 7 June, transforming Southsea Common into a vibrant celebration of diversity and inclusion. The festivities kick off with a lively parade at 11 am from The Briny, followed by a day of dynamic performances on the main stage. In the evening, the official after-party at Hampshire Boulevard promises to keep the energy soaring. Beyond the main event, Portsmouth Pride offers a year-round program of activities, reflecting its commitment to fostering an inclusive community.
Essex Pride 2025, Chelmsford, England
21 June 2025
Essex Pride 2025 will take place on 21 June in Chelmsford’s Central Park, marking its 21st year of celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. The festival will feature a lively Pride March through Chelmsford city centre, followed by performances on the Festival Stage and a Cabaret Stage. They’ll also be a Silent Disco Dance Tent, circus workshops and a range of food stalls at this inclusive display of acceptance and pride.
IW Pride, Isle of Wight
19 July 2025
Head to south England’s Isle of Wight for IW Pride, a fabulous party on the sandy beach of Ryde. Plenty of top-class entertainment is offered at this fully inclusive and diverse Pride celebration which includes a parade of dazzling floats, music and dancing. The festival’s lineup includes N-Trance (DJ Set), La Voix, Rozalla, Quivers, and a Spice Girls tribute act, ‘Say You’ll Be Spice’.
