Best Places to Celebrate Pride
Updated: April 2024
Recognised around the world as one of the biggest events in history, Pride both commemorates the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots in 1969 and continues to celebrate diversity and inclusion for everyone who identifies with any part of the LGBTQ+ spectrum. And, with cities around the world hosting their own Pride parades throughout the summer, you may be wondering how best to combine these events with your next cruise holiday. While we have a series of top tips for LGBT cruises and LGBTQ+ cruise holidays for you to check out here, we’re going to go into some of the best places to celebrate Pride around the world below. Whether you want to throw yourself head-first into the rugged landscapes of Iceland, or soak up some sun in the Mediterranean, a fantastic cruise getaway will help you do so – all while celebrating Pride!
Pride parties and events that celebrate the gay community and everyone on the LGBTQ+ spectrum primarily take place throughout June and July, but in some places you’ll find events taking place as early as April and as late as October. There’s no real timeline on Pride, but all the major parades in the world’s biggest cities take place in the same handful of months – making each summertime the perfect time to head out on any one of the best gay cruises available. Parades are a fantastic experience, and great fun for the whole family to enjoy; so, whether you’re travelling on a gay cruise solo, with a partner, or bringing the kids along, you can rest assured knowing there’s a way for everyone to get involved and enjoy the fun.
New York City - Transatlantic Crossing Cruises
When: throughout June
Celebrating Pride where it all began is a truly unforgettable experience that everyone in the LGBTQ+ community will want to enjoy – and probably talk about for quite a while after! Departing from a wide range of ports in the UK, setting sail on a Transatlantic Crossing cruise to the Big Apple – followed by a luxurious hotel stay, so you can make the most of New York City's Pride parties and events – has never been easier.
The absolute pinnacle of New York Pride is the unmissable march, featuring over 100 colourful floats representing countless organisations all supporting Pride and the LGBTQ+ community. However, if you’re eager to get stuck into all the events, entertainment, and activities on offer, you can head over to PrideFest for LGBTQ+ street festival fun. For those of you over the age of 21, you can head to Pride Island for music and dancing until the sun sets. Sound good? Check out all the best Transatlantic cruise deals right here.
Embark on a Transatlantic Crossing cruise to New York with:
San Francisco - North America Cruises
When: throughout June
San Francisco is another excellent destination if you’re looking for the best places to celebrate Pride for the future. Hosting the Trans March, one of the biggest transgender Pride events in the United States of America, you’ll find yourself in excellent company if you take a trip here. As well as this, you’ll find plenty of street parties and fairs throughout the city – and more than enough bars, restaurants, and clubs to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community during Pride celebrations. During a cruise to snowy Alaska, San Francisco is just one of several excellent stops, but those of you looking to soak up the sun as much as possible should make sure you’re booking onto a West Coast sailing specifically.
Embark on a North America cruise with:
Reykjavik - Icelandic and Norwegian Fjords Cruises
When: throughout June and August
For those of you looking to mark the anniversary of Stonewall and celebrate Pride surrounded by breathtaking mountain landscapes and fascinating fjords, a cruise to Reykjavik is the perfect pick when it comes to destinations. More often than not combined with a visit to various parts of the British Isles or the equally-stunning Norwegian Fjords, Reykjavik is a little quirky – but very friendly – and a city that welcomes visitors from all walks of life. While you're here, you can kick of the celebrations with a family march before enjoying a concert in the square, or check out any of the open bars and restaurants for good food and drinks.
Embark on an Icelandic and Norwegian Fjords cruise with:
Sydney - Australasia Cruises
When: throughout February and March
One of the world's most famous LGBTQ+ events – and one that's proving increasingly popular with big-name headliners – is Sydney's Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras; an event that has to be up at the top of your Pride bucket list! When you combine this with an Australasia cruise holiday, you'll see some of the most famous sights in this corner of the globe alongside this vibrant Pride parade. And, if you're looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly family cruise, an itinerary to Sydney is perfect for all ages thanks to this celebration's family-friendly activities and events. What's even better is that celebrating Pride in Australasia means you'll be treated to endless sunshine throughout the winter.
Embark on an Australasia cruise with:
Amsterdam - European River Cruises and City Breaks
When: throughout July and August
When it comes to seeing all your favourite European cities in one big gay cruise holiday that's full of LGBTQ+ friendly events and activities, a European River Cruise really is a fantastic option – if you pick the right itinerary for you. With many throughout the summer giving you the chance to enjoy numerous Pride events in a number of exciting locations, you'll find yourself spoilt for choice during your getaway. However, one of the best in this area of the world is Amsterdam Pride – an event that takes place in early August each year. From parties until the sun comes up to LGBTQ+ film festivals and exhibitions, whether you like a lively programme of activities or if you're looking to immerse yourself fully in Amsterdam's LGBTQ+ history and existing community, this is an unforgettable stop on any European cruise holiday.
Embark on a European River Cruise and City Break with:
Barcelona - Mediterranean Cruises
When: throughout July
Kicking off any Pride festivities under the shining Mediterranean sun is best done at Pride Barcelona, held in Spain each summer. Overflowing with culture, exciting entertainment, parties and activities celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, starting or finishing your cruise holiday in Barcelona is the best way to make the most of this colourful weekend of fun. You can marvel at the parade before letting your hair down at any one of the numerous Pride parties taking place, most of which feature live performances from some of the most iconic names in Spain's LGBTQ+ community.
Embark on a Mediterranean cruise with:
São Paulo - South America Cruises
When: throughout June
Painting the streets with bright rainbow colours every June, Sao Paulo Pride is among the biggest Pride celebrations in the world, with roughly five million participants each year. The Pride parade itself is the main attraction here, it being a truly unforgettable experience, but there's an endless list of other events and activities to enjoy when you embark on a South America cruise. You can dance the night away to some live music, enjoy fantastic dance performances, fill up on some delicious local cuisine, or even listen to some of the most inspiring voices in the LGBTQ+ community through a series of talks and debates. This celebration really does have it all.
Embark on a South America cruise with:
Wherever you decide to sail during Pride, and whoever you decide to set sail with, you won't be disappointed with some of the Pride cruises available and the exciting events taking place all over the world. From the sun-drenched sands of a Barcelona beach to the comfy canals of Amsterdam – or even further afield in sunny Sydney – there's a huge range of gay cruises and LGBTQ+ friendly cruise holidays for singles, couples, and families to enjoy.
Book Your Next Cruise With Iglu Cruise Today
If you want to experience a luxury cruise holiday with the finest cuisine on the seas and unforgettable entertainment, you can book your next getaway with Iglu Cruise today. With all the best cruise deals right here, throughout the summer and beyond, you'll find a selection of excellent escapes to suit both your tastes and your budget.
While you think about that, why not check out some of our other blog posts to learn more about cruise holidays, cruise ships, and more: