Prides 2019: 3 great tips for each major pride parade coming this summer!

Marking 50 years after the Stonewall Riots in New York City, 2019 is expected to see the largest international LGBTI Pride celebration ever. 

Pride owes almost everything to the people that fought for us and our rights, during the June 1969 events and beyond, so that we can all live and express ourselves freely today.

Most probably you are planning on attending at least a couple of this year’s Pride Parades, which have already started taking place since the first weekend of June, and will go on throughout summer.

For this article, Travel by Interest have chosen not to simply write you another list of the major Pride events coming up, but give three tips that will help you enjoy the most of your time and shine bright like the rainbow!

After all, Prides are always a good reason to travel to a different city, so it’s great to have a few insider tips to keep you on the right track.  

So pack your bags, choose your destinations, and start building your Pride to-do list!

1 Pride Amsterdam

pride travel by interest-3

Participants dressed in leather in the annual Pride Canal Parade on the Amstel river in Amsterdam on 1 August 2015

The weekend-long street parties, massive circuit events, and a gagging Amsterdam Pride Canal Parade make it a popular stop for many gay travelers. The Pride is welcoming to everyone, especially our leather friends.

WHEN?

27 July 2019 – 4 August 2019

THREE GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. TAKE THE MOST FABULOUS PHOTOS
    The parade is always super busy but, thankfully, the canals are several kilometers long, with many spots along their banks to sit and watch the parade. The best spots for taking photos are on the sides of the bridges. However, these are usually taken hours before the event. Your best chances to take some good and colorful photos are on the Prinsengracht, at the Magere Brug on Amstel River, and at the Eenhoornsluis at the end of the Route.
  2. BE PART OF THE FUN!
    To take part in the parade on one of the fancy Pride Boats, you need to apply beforehand. You can make a request at the organization’s website, however, keep in mind that only 80 boats can participate and sail in the parade — so don’t keep your hopes too high. There are, of course, several other boats that lie ashore of the canal, which are also rather difficult to join, since they are often occupied by the LGBT organizations of large companies, who share them with their employees. So if you have any friends or old lovers living in Amsterdam, maybe it’s time to text them and see if they can ensure a fancy spot for you.
  3. SO MUCH MORE TO DO IN AMSTERDAM
    There are plenty of other gay events taking place at the same time as Amsterdam Pride. The Reguliersdwarsstraat, in particularly, is an impressive party with huge crowds, that you should definitely include in your to-do list. Rembrandtplein, Zeedijk, and Nieuwmarkt are also three great places to party all night long.

WHERE TO STAY:

The best hotels to stay in Amsterdam during the Pride week are INK Hotel Amsterdam MGallery by Sofitel, Hotel Mercier, and W Amsterdam. Have a look at the selected list of Hotels in Amsterdam for LGBT travellers.

2 Marche des Fiertés LGBT, Paris

Photo: ZH2010, Wikimedia Commons

After more than 40 years in existence, Paris Pride is known for its perfect combination of festive and political atmosphere. Even though its name has changed, its cause remains intact.

WHEN?

26 June 2019

THREE GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. EVERYBODY COMES TO PARIS
    The march will begin at 2pm and end with a huge, free party, either at Place de la Republique or at Place de la Bastille. If you are planning on visiting Paris for Pride, you’d better book a gay-friendly hotel as soon as possible, as it is estimated that more than half a million people will go out to the Parisian Streets.
  2. NOT JUST A PARADE
    There are many events, circuit parties and fun activities going on during the Pride week, most of which take place at the gay district of Les Marais. So, if you are looking for the most packed places full of gay guys from all over the world, you know where to go. And if, for some reason, you don’t like big crowds… well, choose another destination to celebrate Pride!
  3. PICK YOUR SPOT
    The Pride will depart from Montparnasse and arrive at Place de la Republique. Major checkpoints throughout the route are Boulevard de Sébastopol, Strasbourg St Denis, Boulevard St Martin, and Place St Michel.

WHERE TO STAY:

There are hundreds and hundreds of hotels in Paris, however this is a list of handpicked hotels in Paris ideal for staying during the Pride week.

3 San Francisco Pride

Gay Pride San Francisco

Photo: Rosemary Ketchum, Pexels

With its motto this year being Generations of Resistance, San Francisco Pride celebrates its 49th birthday. This year, an estimated number of more than 1.9 million of people are expected march down the streets of the city!

WHEN?

29 June 2019 – 30 June 2019

THREE GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. DRAG CELEBRITIES ALERT
    Pabllo Vittar, probably the 2nd most popular drag queen in the world (only after Mama Ru) will honor San Francisco Pride by attending the SF Pride Main Stage.
  2. LEATHER-UP
    Wear your most tight, black, and kinky leather outfit and join the San Francisco Leather Pride Contingent – one of the most well-organized BDSM communities in the world. Because, hey, it’s okay to be kinky!
  3. FUN STARTS EARLY
    The Pride Parade will run from 10:30am until 3pm on Sunday 30 June. People start gathering at the starting point at least two hours prior to the parade. Usually, the route spreads along San Francisco’s Market Street, from Steuart Street to 8th Street.

WHERE TO STAY:

As a supporter of the LGBTI community, Hilton San Francisco partnered with PRIDE, so this year will start at the UNION Square. That makes Hilton San Francisco a great accommodation option if you want to access the event easily. Hotel Whitcomb, Joie de Vivre Hotels and Resorts, and PARC 55 are also active supporters of the San Francisco Pride, so we highly recommend them as well.

4 New York Pride

Gay Pride New York

Photo: Malcolm Lightbody on Unsplash

For gay New York, this is a particularly special year. After all, this is the place where the first-ever Pride Parade took place, 50 years ago. There are 50+ scheduled events in New York, taking place all around the city!

WHEN?

1 June 2019 – 30 June 2019

THREE GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. BACK TO BASICS
    A special event is scheduled for the 28 June near the Stonewall Inn, where community activists, organizers, and politicians will gather to talk about the Stonewall Riots. The general admission is free, so take a break from your colorful fun and honor the people who helped make a difference for all of us.
  2. CELEBRITY PRIDE
    Many important and famous people will attend the NYC Pride Parade on 30 June. Some of the parade’s grand marshals are the cast members from Pose, Monica Helms (a trans activist and United States veteran) and the Gay Liberation Front. Madonna will also perform at Pride Island during World Pride (don’t hold your breath, the tickets are already sold out)!
  3. A DEATH DROP TO DIE FOR
    RuPaul’s Drag Race All-Star Winner, Alaska, will host an in-store shopping event at MCM Soho Store. The event will be followed by a fabulous performance by the drag queen.

WHERE TO STAY:

New York will turn into a big gay hotspot this year, so you can stay anywhere in the city center and you will be close to at least a couple of LGBTI events. Of course, if you want to be near the gay nightlife, you should definitely opt for Manhattan. Luxury and gay-friendly hotels in New York City we recommend are The Wall Street Inn, The Paul Hotel and W New York.

5 Toronto Pride

Happy parade goers participate in 2016 Toronto Pride March

Since 1981, Pride Toronto has evolved into a pretty lively celebration that attracts loads of party enthusiasts. The festival spreads through 22 city blocks, which are all closed to traffic… This is what we call a HUGE pride!

WHEN?

1 June 2019 – 30 June 2019

THREE GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. FIGHT AIDS
    The AIDS Memorial in Barbara Hall Park was created for all the people from the local community who died of an AIDS-related illness. This year, 519 new names will be engraved on the memorial. On Tuesday 18 June you are called to Candlelight AIDS Vigil, which, for this year, is themed Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow!
  2. MONTH-LONG CELEBRATIONS
    Every single day of June is filled with events. From comedy shows, to gagging drag queen performances and extreme clubbing nights. Pride Toronto is THE place to be! (Check out all the events here)
  3. FUN & COLOURS
    The Pride Parade of Toronto on 23 June will begin at Church and Bloor Street at 12p.m, and is expected to last for at least 3.5 hours — and it will surely be worth every minute. Handsome guys, costumes, and colors, alongside an upbeat and positive atmosphere will make you have a heck of a time. You will surely love it!

WHERE TO STAY:

We highly recommend you choose an apartment/hotel in The Village, the gay neighborhood found at Toronto’s downtown core. The area is at the intersection of Church and Wellesley Streets and it’s where most of the gay bars are located, as well as where the Pride takes place!

6 Chicago Pride

Gay Pride Chicago

Photo: FransA from Pexels

This year’s Pride theme in Chicago is Stonewall 50: Millions of Moments of Pride. The Pride march is only a small part of a huge set of celebrations, including large-scale events featuring popular musicians and drag queens. Chicago Pride is expected to spread extra queer fun this year!

WHEN?

22 June 2019 – 23 June 2019 

THREE GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. PRIDE CELEBRITIES
    A gigantic one-day festival will mark the 50th anniversary of Chicago Pride in Grand Park. Iggy Azalea and Steve Aoki will set the mood, joined by Tamar Braxton and Kathy Sledge. Various drag queens will also attend the show like Shea Coulee, Alexis Michelle and Coco Montrese, all known for competing in RuPaul’s Drag Race.
  2. PARTY & BE FABULOUS
    Pride in Chicago finds the city’s clubs and bars more alive than ever. There are a dozen of fabulous gay parties happening in the city like the Fabitat, Off Chances, Slo ‘Mo, FKA, Burly, Queen!, MadonnaRama & other fabulous events!
  3. NOT INTO THAT MUCH FUN?
    We know that Prides can sometimes be overwhelming for some people — after all, not everybody is after non-stop partying and dancing. While in Chicago, check out the gay bars of Lake View, Wrigleyville and Uptown, all of which are a bit further away from Pride’s main street, and where you can enjoy a more relaxed coffee or beer.

WHERE TO STAY:

Misterb&b is a great alternative to hotels in Chicago. There you will find plenty of high-quality apartments and rooms, while the hosts are usually friendly and helpful to their guests. If you still want to stay in a hotel, you should stay at a hotel near Boystown.

7 Pride in London

Gay Pride London

Pride in London Parade 2017 July 8 on Oxford Circus and Regent Street. Series of Reportage photo from gay parade

Pride celebrations in Gay London begin as soon as 8 June and last until the 7 July. There are more than 90 events scheduled for this period, so it’s not hard to realize how big the whole thing is. More than 25,000 people are expected to join the parade this year, making it one of the biggest ever.

WHEN?

8 June 2019 – 6 July 2019

3 GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. FIND A SPOT EARLY
    Such a massive Pride Parade will surely attract thousands and thousands of people in Europe’s most crowded city. You don’t want to miss your chance for an excellent view of the parade and the best photos ever, so make sure to pick your spot wisely. A few great places to watch the parade are Portland Place, Oxford Circus, Regent Street, Lower Regent Street, and Whitehall. Just make sure to get there quite early, to catch the right spot.
  2. A NOT-TO-MISS PARTY
    Don’t miss out the Bar Wotever Queer Cabaret Tuesdays happening at Royal Vauxhall Tavern. Some of the best LGBTI and queer performers in the world rule the stage with their sick-ass outfits and gagging performances. The doors open every Tuesday at 7pm while the show is followed by a fab disco party.
  3. COME AS YOU ARE
    Looking for the best costume to wear during London Pride? Don’t over think it, as London’s Pride stands out for its clothing diversity. You can wear your tiniest speedo or your fabulous unicorn costume — it really doesn’t matter. You will glow anyway!


WHERE TO STAY:

Thankfully, London is packed with gay-only and gay-friendly hotels. If you visit London exclusively for the Pride, you should opt for a hotel near Portland Place, where the Pride Starts. If you want to be close to London’s gay nightlife, we recommend you staying either in Soho, Central London or Vauxhall in the South West.

8 Los Angeles Pride

Gay Pride Los Angeles

Men at Pride

For more than 40 years, LA Pride is considered a champion for equality and diversity. The Pride Week is officially scheduled for the first week of June, however, several Pride events take place throughout June, which is pretty awesome. Plus, LA Pride is the only Pride that doesn’t end with the parade!

WHEN?

31 May 2019 – 9 June 2019

THREE GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. PRIDE & ARTS
    One City, One Pride LGBTQ Arts Festival runs from 27 June to 30 June. It’s the only event that takes place every day through the month. The definite must-visit days are the 1, 2, 26 and 30 of June. The theme for this year is Love is Love.
  2. CELEBRATE WITH CELEBRITIES
    Years & Years and Meghan Trainor will headline 2019’s LA Pride Festival in West Hollywood (8-9 June). Of course, more artists will get you in a party mood like the Grammy Award Winner Ashanti, Amara La Negra, Dej Loaf, etc.
  3. GET THERE FASTER
    The best way to reach the Pride is through public transit. Thankfully several metro and bus lines make a stop at or nearby the LA Pride Festival including Lines 2, 4, 704, 10, 30, 105, 217 and 218.

WHERE TO STAY:

We highly recommend West Hollywood as many hotels there put special offers for people who visit during Pride. West Hollywood is also where most of the gay clubs and bars of Los Angeles are located.

9 Tel Aviv Pride 

2019 is Tel Aviv Pride’s 21st birthday. It has become a tradition for many gay men from Europe to visit for the awesome pool events and super sexy parties.

WHEN?

8 June 2019

THREE GOOD-TO-KNOW TIPS

  1. SECURE A SPOT
    The best way to secure a spot at Tel Aviv’s history-making parties is by purchasing the TLV19 Pride Week Bracelet. This allows you access to 3 or 5 Parties of your choice out of a series of 23+ amazing ones.
  2. ATTEND THE CENTRAL PARADE
    The parade will start with the Happening, featuring various drag shows and uplifting speeches. The events will last until 12 pm, when the parade will begin marching towards Charles Clore Park
  3. PARTY ON THE BEACH
    Charles Clore Garden is the parade’s last stop, and thousands of people gather there to enjoy live shows and the amazing view of Tel Aviv’s beaches. The fun lasts until 3pm. So put on your favorite speedo and throw a dive at the beach cause, you know, the most fun is in the water.

WHERE TO STAY:

There are several gay-friendly hotels in Tel Aviv, however, we highly recommend you The Drisco Hotel, The Norman Tel Aviv, and Hotel Prima City, Tel Aviv.


In the end, all Prides and parades stand out for one thing: their super fun and relaxed atmosphere, among colors, feathers, and fancy costumes. It’s a great annual habit that celebrates love, equality, and diversity, bringing people together in so many destinations around the world. Do you have more tips about the above Prides or the Pride parade in your region? Tell us at the comments below!

This article was sponsored by Travel By Interest. 

See also

Romantic Gay Destinations 2019: The Trends

Gay Asian experience: Why it is now the hottest gay travel trend

Read More on Gay Star News