London Pride 2025: Events, Parade, Route and Parties

Everything you need to know about attending gay Pride in London 2025!

We thought London had only one queen… turns out there are over a million! Or at least it seems from how busy London is at Pride. That’s right! Over one million participants come out to celebrate each year, making it one of the biggest Pride events in the world.

Gay couple travel book Nomadic Boys Out in the World

And for good reason! Who wouldn’t want to come to London for Pride? It’s one of the greatest cities in the world. And we don’t say that out of bias – this is where we met many many moons ago (ok, maybe we are a teensy bit biased).

London is where the gay rights movement in the UK began. The big capital also has a plethora of queer talent that has made the city their home, and of course, London has the best gay scene in the entire country; obviously, we're very opinionated about this!

The London Pride organizers know how to put on a show. So many events happen across the London Pride season that you are spoilt for choice. Concerts, exhibitions, movie screenings… and that’s before we’ve even started talking about the gigantic, exciting Pride Parade through the iconic streets of Central London!

Here's what to expect for London Pride 2025 based on our first-hand experiences of attending the event almost religiously over the past 20 years! And don't forget to check out Stefan's interview with the handsome Australian Olympic diver, Matthew Mitcham, along with our detailed guide to London's best gay clubs and our write-up of our experience at the Mighty Hoopla gay festival.

Stefan and Sebastien from Nomadic Boys with rainbow fan.

Travel worry-free!

Don't skimp out on your travel insurance: make sure your trip is fun, frivolous, and free! Most importantly, good travel insurance will cover you for loss from petty theft, medical emergencies, flight cancellations, pricey hospital bills, car rental protection, and more.

We recommend reading our article about the importance of travel insurance so you can assess which policy is best for you.

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About London Pride

Pride in London is THE biggest and best gay event in London, as well as in the UK.

In 1970, 150 brave men began marching through the Highbury Fields in protest of the harassment they received from the police force and the wider public. By 1972, this had grown to 2,000 participants, with multiple organizations coming together to form the first official UK Gay Pride Rally.

Over the years, the parade grew in size, alongside an increase in public support for gay rights. In the mid-80s, the Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners group (LGSM) took part, which was what the movie Pride (2014) was based on. And in 1992, London held the first-ever Euro Pride, with 100,000 attendants. And it only got bigger and better from there.

Pride London has several famous patrons, including Elton John, Ian McKellen, and Laverne Cox.

How many people go to London Pride?

London Pride is one of Europe's largest pride parades with over 1 million attending each year.

From 1972 when the first London Pride was held, it has grown over the years to become one of the biggest gay events in the world and the biggest queer event in the UK.

What day is London Pride?

The next London Pride will take place on July 5th, 2025.

The Parade kicks off at midday and finishes by 6 pm.

Gay couple kissing on rainbow flag at London Pride Parade. — Surrounded by love and rainbows at London Pride

The London Pride Parade route

The parade itself can feature over 30,000 participants, representing over 600 communities. From sporting clubs to choirs, schools to charity groups, there is room for everyone.

The London Pride Parade begins at midday. While the route can change each year, the Parade route usually starts at Hyde Park, then snakes its way through Piccadilly Circus, and finishes up at Whitehall Place.

There are several stages set up along the route, including one on Trafalgar Square, where crowds gather to sing, dance, and enjoy performances by pop artists and drag acts. There are also dozens of food and drink stalls, so you can grab a bite to eat and a bevy!

For the latest up-to-date info check the Pride in London website.

Cute lesbian couple marching at London Pride. — You'll see so many colorful characters at London Pride

Who can join the Parade?

London Pride Parade is free but you can only take part in the parade if you are with a charity or a group that has pre-registered to march or on one of the floats. Otherwise, you can watch it on the side behind the barriers.

However, you can always volunteer to become a steward. These are the guys who help crowd control and keep everyone safe. Simply register on the Pride in London website.

London Pride Events 2025

Pride is here! And you’re probably wondering where to even begin celebrating. We’ve got you covered. Here are some of our favorite events that take place during London Pride:

The Trafalgar Square Stage

Trafalgar Square is where the Pride parade culminates, but that doesn’t mean the fun stops there! Organizers set up a massive stage for the headline act to perform, as well as for gay-friendly politicians attending to give speeches.

Concerts and film screenings

It isn’t just about the parade – Pride also features dozens of pop-up film screenings and concerts throughout the city. Films can be anything from campy classics that gay people love to documentaries about the history of LGBTQ rights, with concerts featuring drag artists and queer musicians. For the latest info check out the Events section of the Pride in London website.

Queer Britain Museum

Former Gay Times editor, Joseph Galliano opened up the Queer Britain Museum in 2022. It features an exhibition on the evolution of gay rights across the UK, from the days of criminalization to the modern-day debate surrounding trans rights.

It also looks at the impact LGBTQ folk have had on culture, from politics to music. Although it’s open throughout the year, we highly recommend visiting it and celebrating it during Pride Month in London.

IBikeLondon Pride Ride

Swap out your feet for wheels, by taking part in the IBike London Pride Ride. It’s everything we love about Pride but on bikes! Cycling from the National Theatre, LGBTQ folk travel through the city, whilst dressed up in fancy wear, playing disco tunes, and waving their flags. Now that’s how you steal focus!

London Trans+ Pride

Taking place on the second Saturday of July is Trans+ Pride. Over the years, trans rights have come into sharper focus in the public consciousness. And sadly, with that, there’s been an increase in transphobia. Therefore, TransPride is all about shifting focus away from the wider Pride discussion toward the specific experiences trans people go through.

The march moves towards Piccadilly Circus, with marchers waving trans flags and placards.

Stonewall marching at the London Pride Parade. — Remember, Pride is a protest first and foremost

Gay Parties during London Pride 2025

Ok, so you’ve gotten your steps in with the parade. You’ve made your voice heard. Now it’s time to dance and have fun. Here are some of the best gay parties:

Gay Shame Pride

You’ve celebrated gay Pride, now it’s time to feel gay shame! This is a tongue-in-cheek party that serves as an alternative to the exotic dancing, rainbow flag-waving, celebratory Pride.

It takes place at the Royal Vauxhall Tavern, featuring whacky performances by underground entertainment acts. Past years have seen Bourgeois & Maurice, and Amy Lamé taking to the stage as well as DJs playing all the hits gay people love.

WE Party

Are you in the mood for dancing to electronic music alongside hot, muscular men? Who wouldn’t be?

WE Party, which takes place in Electric Brixton, is all about the spectacle. Extraordinary lighting effects, sensational sound systems, hot dancers, and epic DJ sets. There’s no better place to spend Pride. It's totally mad though, so be warned!

Trough

If you’re looking for something “naughtier” than the typical Pride event, then Trough is for you! A kink-friendly space that is all about f3tish celebrating, then shaming. It brings together bears, muscle queens, daddies, and in-betweeners on a heaving dancefloor, dancing to heavy electronic beats.

The WE Party is one of the most exciting gay events at every London Pride. — Is that a gay Pride party in London or have we died and gone to gay heaven?

London Pride in Pictures

Gay couple kissing at Trafalgar Square during the London Pride Parade.

Cute lesbian couple at the London Pride Parade.

Plan Your Stay in London During Pride

We've put together some handy hints and tips to help you plan your own gay trip to London for Pride:

How to get there: There are a number of airports serving London, although the largest and most well-known is Heathrow. Budget airlines from within Europe often fly into Gatwick, Stansted or Luton as well. It's quite easy to get into the city center from Heathrow Airport on the tube (underground train system) and there's also a direct train line with the brand new Elizabeth Line.

Visa requirements: If you are from the United States, an EU Member State, or certain Commonwealth countries (including Australia, Canada, and New Zealand), you do not need a visa to visit the UK for up to six months. Make sure you check your personal visa requirements well ahead of time though and organize a visa if you will need one.

Getting around: The easiest (and most fun) way to get around London is either via the tube (underground train system) or on the ubiquitous red double-decker buses! Make sure you purchase an Oyster card at the airport and keep it topped up to swipe in or out on public transport in London.

Vaccinations: The CDC recommends that all travelers to the United Kingdom should be up to date with routine vaccinations for things like measles, mumps, rubella, chickenpox, etc, and, of course, Covid-19. You may also need vaccinations for Hepatitis A, B, and rabies (if you're planning to go anywhere more rural), so make sure you speak to your travel nurse or doctor before heading to London.

Currency: The currency used in London (and the rest of the United Kingdom) is the pound sterling, also called the British pound, and abbreviated to GBP. £1 converts to about €1.12 or $1.23.

Tipping culture: While London doesn't have as much of a tipping culture as the United States, you should probably still tip around 10% for good service in restaurants or hotels. In London cabs, you can generally just round up to the nearest note amount, and it will be appreciated.

When to visit: If you're coming to London for Pride then you want to time your visit with the first Saturday in July! This is the day of the main parade but we also recommend some time before and after if you want to experience some of the parties and related events.

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Safety Tips During London Pride

On the whole, London is a very gay friendly city and you should feel very safe during a fabulous event such as London Pride. Nowhere is perfect though, so we've put together these tips for ensuring you stay safe while enjoying everything London Pride has to offer!

Just like anywhere in the world, be aware of your surroundings, especially in a big city like London. Traffic can be different from what you are used to and obvious tourists are always seen as the easiest pickings for thieves. London can be very packed and a crowd is the best camouflage for someone who might do something nefarious…
Avoid excess drinking and the use of substances. It's far more likely that you will be taken advantage of, scammed, or even robbed if you are obviously intoxicated. Sure, have a few drinks and a good time, but if you're going to get wasted, it's probably better to do that in a familiar environment.
Don't wear valuables in public. Pickpockets operate everywhere, and the flashier your belongings, the more attractive you are as a target. Not to mention that a big excited crowd means lots of targets who might not notice a sly little pickpocket. Leave your valuable and important items in your hotel safe so even if you do find something missing, hopefully, it won't be anything too irreplaceable.
Invest in a good money belt. It's always better not to carry too much cash or credit cards anyway, but having a good money belt that hides under your clothes is another way to ensure nothing goes missing and you can just let loose and enjoy the festivities.