In honor of Pride month, Ravel is excited to bring you an updated list of the biggest Pride events all around the world to help inspire you to travel somewhere new to celebrate in 2023.
October 28, 2023
This Pride parade in Johannesburg, South Africa is currently the biggest Pride event in the entire continent of Africa, and stands out for its inspiring origins. The movement began in 1990 and was an event organized to fight for the abolition of the apartheid and freedom of sexual orientation. Today it celebrates the POC and LGBTQIA communities, while advocating for political change in favor of both groups.
Although the route of the parade is subject to change each year, it is always accompanied by a Pride Village full of activities, local shops, pop-up restaurants, and more! After the day time festivities conclude, Pride Johannesburg’s official entertainment partner, Babylon the Joburg Bar, hosts a lively afterparty open to all. Aside from the officially planned activities, several other gay bars in the area host additional events to keep the party going.
In order to make sure you can be as close to the festivities as possible, we have put together a list of accommodations in Illovo where the Pride Village will be set up: Hyde Park Guest House, Protea Hotel by Marriot, MAX Executive Apartments, and Foxhill Apartments Illovo.
October 22 - October 29, 2023
As the first Asian country to legalize gay marriage, it is no surprise that Taiwan is home the the biggest Pride event in Asia - hosting more than 200,000 participants in 2019. In fact, due to their ability to keep the Covid-19 pandemic under control, Taipei held the largest in-person Pride celebration in the world with around 130,000 participants in 2020!
The parade takes place on the last Saturday in October each year, and both starts and ends at the “Rainbow Starting Line” in front of Taipei city hall, finishing with a massive concert featuring well known artists from the country. Aside from the parade, there are many other activities that take place over the 3-day celebration period leading up to the main event! Some examples are the Taiwan trans march, Drag Kiki Ball - Pride edition, Taiwan’s Pride Rainbow Festival (TPRF), and the Formosa Rainbow Kids Parade.
When you do get the opportunity to visit Taiwan and celebrate pride, consider staying at one of these 2 luxury gay-friendly hotels located near the festivities and many gay bars: Sheraton Grand Taipei Hotel and W Taipei.
June 23 - July 2, 2023
Although Europe features many incredible and well-attended Pride events, Madrid has taken the title for the largest Pride in Europe with 3.5 million attendees in 2017.
The people of Madrid take their pride VERY seriously, and MADO is so much more than a simple parade. The events start off on June 25th in the gay neighborhood of Checua, where there are no shortage of lively gay bars, cultural events, and concerts. The following days are full of activities like the Pride proclamation, Madrid Summit, Mr. Gay Pride Spain, and the High Heels Race, all leading up to the famous Pride parade and closing party. From the 2-4 of July, the famous We Pride Festival takes over many venues including stadiums and hotel pools to throw some of the wildest parties of the year featuring the hottest DJ’s and drag queens!
Consult the official MADO website for the most up-to-date information on safety and attending.
If you are hoping to attend this incredible Pride celebration in the future, we recommend staying in hotels located in the popular gay neighborhoods of Madrid such as Checua and Malasaña. Both neighborhoods mentioned are located close to all of the main festivities so you won’t miss a thing!
June 9, 2023
Defying the often conservative nature of the Middle East, Tel Aviv has become a center for gay culture and advocacy, and is home to the largest Pride in the region with over 250,000 participants in 2019.
This week-long celebration of the LGBTQIA community is held yearly in June and is filled with exciting events such as club and beach parties, concerts, and drag shows leading up to the acclaimed Pride Parade. The march itself is not only a celebration of sexual orientation, but is an important demonstration of love, inclusion, and equality in the face of oppressive laws and regulations that work against the LGBTQIA community both in and outside of Israel. The parade itself takes place along the shore and ends at the beach, so be sure to pack a bathing suit and be ready for some seaside shenanigans.
Due to its successful vaccination campaigns, Tel Aviv has been able to host the event in person, attracting over 100,000 supporters. If you hope to attend the Pride events in the future, we suggest staying close to the festivities in hotels such as the InterContinental David Tel Aviv or the Dan Panorama Tel Aviv, but remember to book in advance!
