WorldPrides through the years: A Global Celebration of LGBTQ+ Unity
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A Global Celebration of LGBTQ+ Unity
WorldPride, a remarkable series of international LGBTQ+ pride events, marks a spectacular celebration of diversity and unity across the globe. Coordinated by InterPride, these events are hosted in conjunction with local pride festivals, selected through a bidding process during InterPride's annual general meetings. The festivities typically include opening and closing ceremonies, a pride parade, and an LGBTQ+ human rights conference.
Let's delve into the rich history of WorldPride and explore the upcoming and past events that have left an indelible mark on the LGBTQ+ community.
Plan your next WorldPride!
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Source: Tristien
14 October 2028 • Cape Town
Witness the dawn of a new era as Cape Town explodes in a vibrant celebration of love, unity, and the ongoing quest for LGBTQIA+ equality. WorldPride 2028 paints the Mother City in a dazzling spectrum of events, making it a pivotal moment for the global LGBTQIA+ community. Read more about WorldPride Cape Town 2028 here.
Ready to book? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for WorldPride Cape Town 2028 early.
10. WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 (held together with EuroPride)
Source: Tristien
1 August 2026 • Amsterdam
Witness history unfold as Amsterdam transforms into a global stage celebrating love, equality, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQ+ rights. WorldPride 2026 promises a vibrant tapestry of cultural events, powerful conferences, and unforgettable festivities, solidifying Amsterdam's position as a beacon of hope and progress for the LGBTQ+ community worldwide. Read more about WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 here.
Ready to book? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for WorldPride Amsterdam 2026 early.
Want to know more about EuroPrides through the years? Read our blog on past and upcoming EuroPrides here.
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9. WorldPride DC 2025
Source: Tristien
7 June 2025 • Washington, DC, USA
Originally planned for Kaohsiung, Taiwan, but later moved to Washington, D.C., WorldPride 2025 marked the 50th anniversary of Pride celebrations in the U.S. capital with a powerful and historic display of queer visibility.
Against the backdrop of heightened political tensions, the event brought together hundreds of thousands for vibrant parades, film screenings, and cultural programmes that celebrated the diversity and resilience of D.C.’s LGBTQ+ community. With voices raised in both celebration and protest, WorldPride DC 2025 became a defining moment in the global Pride movement. Read more about Capital Pride DC here.
Want to go back? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for your next Capital Pride DC early.
8. WorldPride Sydney 2023
Source: Tristien
5 March 2023 • Sydney, NSW, Australia
Sydney, winning the bid for WorldPride 2023, brought the celebration to the Southern Hemisphere. With the theme 'Gather Dream Amplify,' the event spanned 17 days, featuring a Human Rights Conference, Mardi Gras Parade, and performances by artists like Kylie Minogue and Ava Max. Read more about Sydney Mardi Gras here.
Want to go back? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for your next Syndey Mardi Gras early.
7. WorldPride Copenhagen & Malmö 2021
Source: dbking
21 August 2021 • Copenhagen, Denmark & Malmö, Sweden
For the first time two cities in two countries, Copenhagen and Malmö, jointly hosted WorldPride in 2021, showcasing the diversity of the Øresund Region. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the event combined with EuroGames featured various LGBTQ+ anniversaries and celebrated tolerance and diversity. Read more about Copenhagen Pride and Malmö Pride here.
Want to explore the Pride magic yourself? See my top hotel picks for Copenhagen Pride here and my top hotel picks for Malmö Pride here
6. WorldPride NYC 2019
Source: wikimedia.org
30 June 2019 • New York City, NY, USA
Stonewall 50 — WorldPride NYC 2019 marked the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots. New York City, with its rich LGBTQ+ history, hosted the largest pride event ever, drawing an estimated five million attendees. Read more about New York City Pride here.
Want to go back? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for your next New York City Pride early.
Check our comprehensive Pride calendar and start planning your Pride-filled escapades today!
5. WorldPride Madrid 2017
Source: DJ SINGH
1 July 2017 • Madrid, Spain
Madrid, celebrating WorldPride in 2017 alongside Europride, created a memorable experience. The event coincided with significant anniversaries in Spain's LGBTQ+ history. A massive demonstration, cultural events, and a vibrant closing ceremony at Puerta de Alcalá added to the festive atmosphere. Read more about Madrid Orgullo here.
Want a taste of just how epic Madrid Pride can be? In 2025, I did the impossible — marching in London Pride at noon and then flying to Madrid to catch their parade and afterparties the very same night. Spoiler: it was wild. You can read the full story of my London to Madrid Pride Challenge here.
Want to go back? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for your next Madrid Pride early.
Want to know more about Spanish Prides? Read our blog on secret Spanish Pride events here and if you want to learn more about EuroPrides through the years, read our blog on past and upcoming EuroPrides here.
4. WorldPride Toronto 2014
Source: DJ SINGH
29 June 2014 • Toronto, ON, Canada
Toronto, a city known for its diversity, hosted WorldPride in 2014. The event attracted over 12,000 participants in the parade, making it one of the longest in Canadian history. The festivities included performances by Melissa Etheridge and Deborah Cox, an international human rights conference, and a variety of cultural events. Read more about Toronto Pride here.
Want to go back? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for your next Toronto Pride early.
3. WorldPride London 2012
Source: wheelzwheeler
7 July 2012 • London, England, UK
London, gearing up for the Olympics and Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee, welcomed WorldPride in 2012. Despite last-minute challenges, the event featured a Pride Walk and a scaled-back rally. The resilience of the LGBTQ+ community shone through, and this experience spurred positive changes in the organization. Read more about Pride in London here.
Want a taste of just how epic Pride in London can be? In 2025, I did the impossible — marching in London Pride at noon and then flying to Madrid to catch their parade and afterparties the very same night. Spoiler: it was wild. You can read the full story of my London to Madrid Pride Challenge here.
Want to go back? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for your next Pride in London early.
Want to know more about EuroPrides through the years? Read our blog on past and upcoming EuroPrides here.
2. WorldPride Jerusalem 2006
August 2006 • Jerusalem, Israel
Jerusalem hosted WorldPride in 2006, themed "Love Without Borders." Amidst challenges, including opposition from religious groups and the cancellation of the main parade due to geopolitical tensions, the event showcased resilience. A week of conferences, a film festival, and cultural events illustrated the spirit of the LGBTQ+ community in Jerusalem.
1. WorldPride Rome 2000
Source: wikimedia.org
8 July 2000 • Rome, Italy
The inaugural WorldPride in 2000 set the stage for this global phenomenon. Despite initial opposition from conservative forces, Rome emerged as the host city. The event featured a march to iconic Roman sites, drawing an impressive 250,000 participants. Conferences, a fashion show, and a concert with performances by Gloria Gaynor and RuPaul contributed to the vibrancy. Read more about Rome Pride here.
Want to go back? See my top hotel picks here and lock in your stay for your next Rome Pride early.
Want to know more about EuroPrides through the years? Read our blog on past and upcoming EuroPrides here.
As we embark on this journey through WorldPride history, let's continue to celebrate love, diversity, and unity. Explore more about these events and plan your next adventure to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of LGBTQ+ culture worldwide.
Fuel the next Pride adventure:
Writing these guides takes weeks of research, late nights, and sometimes glitter-related injuries. If you’ve enjoyed this guide and want to help keep Notstr8ight going, you can buy me a vodka soda (very gay drink, highly recommended). It’s like tipping your favourite queer tour guide.
Ready for your own Pride adventure? Check out my comprehensive Pride calendar and our blog on past and upcoming EuroPrides and start planning your next Pride trip today.
