Pride in the UK – which are the best cities?
This month, we’re making space for one of those voices.
When Tony Patrick, a young writer with a passion for travel and inclusivity, approached us with a piece on Pride events across the UK we knew it was something we wanted to share. So, for the first time, we’re handing the mic over to a man, enjoy!
For travel-loving members of the LGBT community, visiting new countries can be daunting. Unfortunately, even in 2025, you never quite know how accepting new countries are until you’ve been there. That’s why many LGBT travellers choose to combine their passion for travel with Pride season, safe in the knowledge that they’ll be joined by other members of the LGBT community. When looking for safe countries to visit, the UK comes out on top for most. Fortunately, the UK also offers some of the best Pride events. Here’s our rundown of the UK’s best cities for Pride.
London
Unsurprisingly, London offers the biggest Pride event. So big in fact that some of the city’s most famous streets shut down to allow over 1,000,000 revellers to enjoy the sights and sounds of London Pride.
This year, London Pride will take place on Saturday, 5th July, with Trafalgar Square housing the main stage, with other stages dotted around the city. The parade itself is one of the most impressive in Europe, and if you are seeking safety in numbers, London offers this in abundance.
The sheer size of London Pride means there’s something for everyone, whether you are travelling as a couple, a friendship group or even as a family with small children. If it’s your first time in London, braving London’s Tube system is worthwhile and is the most efficient way of getting around the city.
Also, if London’s accommodation prices are leaving you startled, look to the outskirts for cheaper prices. Areas like Hackney, Camden Town, Notting Hill, Greenwich and Brixton are located within 30 minutes of Central London if taking the Tube.
Manchester
If you’re looking for a lively Pride event that’s a little less busy than London, you may want to head north to Manchester. From the 22nd-25th August, Manchester’s iconic Gay Village comes alive (even more than usual) to host Manchester Pride.
Manchester’s iconic Canal Street has long been a hub of the gay community, and remains a prominent spot for LGBT partygoers today. If you’re looking for a boozy Pride in the UK, Manchester will likely be up your street.
Outside of the fun-filled events on Canal Street, you’ll find various other rallies and workshops, with Manchester’s Pride Parade taking place on Saturday, 23rd August.
Brighton
Often referred to as the gay capital of the UK, it’s no surprise that Brighton is capable of putting on a showstopping Pride event. This year, Brighton Pride will take place across the weekend of 2nd/3rd August.
As such an iconic city in the gay community, the beauty is that you don’t have to wait until Pride weekend to be surrounded by fellow LGBT members. However, if you are considering Brighton Pride this year, expect to be joined by a whole host of superstars, including Mariah Carey, Fat Boy Slim, and the Sugababes, who’ll all be performing at Pride On The Park.
Brighton also comes with being recognised as home to one of the UK’s best seaside resorts, which can make it the perfect destination if you are travelling with children.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Pride offering is by far the smallest event on our list, but don’t let that put you off. In fact, if you feel like you’re getting a little too old to be surrounded by large crowds or you are travelling as a family, Scotland’s capital may offer the perfect Pride destination.
This year, Pride Edinburgh will take place on Saturday 21st June, featuring a diversity-celebrating march through Edinburgh’s historic streets and a festival taking place at Bristo Square.
Although a bigger city than Brighton, Edinburgh’s smaller-scale celebrations make it the easiest to access. If you are travelling as a family, the majority of events will take place within walking distance of Edinburgh’s main train station, where you can utilise Waverley Station Car Park if travelling by car.
By Toby Patrick
