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LGBTQIA+ Britain

From legendary Pride festivals all over the country, to inclusive hotels, clubs and things to do, we’re proud to be an open and welcoming destination for LGBTQIA+ visitors. Whether you’re exploring our vibrant queer history, or planning a big night out in Brighton – Britain’s unofficial gay capital – you’ll discover drag nights, buzzing bars and irrepressible Pride.

An LGBTQIA+ showcase

Why Britain's best for LGBTQIA+ travel

From the northern reaches of Scotland, to England’s southern coastline, there’s no shortage of LGBTQIA+ celebrations in Britain. Packed with parties, you’ll be singing your heart out at a fiercely energetic drag brunch, or strutting around the streets waving the flag for love during a Pride Parade. Pick up a queer novel from Britain’s oldest gay bookstore, or dive into an LGBTQIA+ film festival – whether you’re there for the party, or wanting a snippet of queer culture, we’ve got you covered.

With over 50 years of celebrating Gay Pride, from the first parade in London in 1972, it’s clear Britain is a nation shining a light on love, inclusivity and freedom. For bold celebrations that break the mould, hit up our cities during Pride Month and throughout the summer. Stride into Britain’s most diverse and biggest Pride in London, look to Brighton for world-famous music superstars and drag artists, or discover two days of non-stop entertainment in Birmingham. So what are you waiting for? There’s never been a better time to embrace the nation with a whole lot of LGBTQIA+ love.

Where to find the best LGBTQIA+ experiences

Whether you’re picking up the party at a renowned Pride festival, or you’re looking for an artsy event celebrating diversity and equality – Britain’s bursting with places to show your love.

Mark your diary for the country’s biggest and one of its most popular Pride events, in Brighton.

Celebrate at Brighton & Hove Pride

Photo by: Robby Dee

Location: South Downs

Brighton Pride
Brighton & Hove Pride

Britain’s biggest Pride celebration takes over the capital every summer – with spin-off events year-round.

Celebrate at London Pride

Photo by: Tristan Fewings

A parade goer during Pride in London in July 2019
London Pride

The city dons its glad rags and rainbow flags for the annual Pride parade, concerts and events.

Discover more about Pride in Liverpool

Photo by: Bryan Fowler

Location: Liverpool, England

Two people celebrating Liverpool Pride by blowing bubbles towards the camera
Liverpool Pride

Manchester Pride

15th - 25th August 2025

Manchester’s Gay Village comes alive with eccentric performers, a parade of colours and loads of love.

Check out Manchester Pride

Photo by: Manchester Pride/Carl Sukonik | The Vain Photography

Woman smiling, celebrating during Manchester Pride
Manchester Pride

Bristol Pride

28th June - 13th July 2025

Big names take to the stage for Bristol Pride, with a jam-packed calendar of queer film, LGBTQIA+ performers and insightful talks.

Check out Bristol Pride

Photo by: Bristol Pride

Peppermint at Bristol Pride
Bristol Pride

Northern Pride

19th - 20th July 2025

Wave the flag for Britain’s Northern Pride, bringing celebrations across the North East with an epic march.

Discover Northern Pride

Photo by: ignite entertainment

Northern Pride
Northern Pride

Sparkle Weekend

27th - 29th June 2025

The world’s largest free-to-attend celebration of gender diversity lands in Manchester for an annual festival full of lively music and entertainment.

Discover Sparkle Weekend

Photo by: Sparkle Festival, Danny Mclaren, Snappitysnaps Photography

Sparkle Weekend
Sparkle Weekend

From contemporary music to debates and visual arts – Brighton Festival brings art and culture to Britain’s number one gay destination.

Discover the Brighton Festival

Photo by: Visit Brighton

Brighton Festival
Brighton Festival

Out & Wild Festival is the UK's first wellness festival designed specifically for queer, questioning and curious women and non-binary individuals.

Find community at Out & Wild Festival

Photo by: Out and Wild Festival

Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales

A woman on a yoga mat holding a pair of mallets and preparing to hit a set of gongs
Out & Wild Festival

Filling the streets with colourful parades, dancing and live music, this is Scotland’s longest-running Pride party.

Party at Pride Edinburgh

Photo by: Pride Edinburgh

Crowd at Pride in Edinburgh
Pride Edinburgh

Join the parade and party at Margate Pride, as the Kent coast is lit up in rainbow colours.

Join the parade at Margate Pride

Photo by: Dan Pick

Location: Kent

Margate Pride
Margate Pride

Belfast Pride

18th - 27th July 2025

From parades and parties to protests and activism, Pride Belfast celebrates the local LGBTQIA+ community.

More about Belfast Pride

Photo by: Getty Images/istockphoto/Coldsnowstorm

Location: Northern Ireland

Crowds of people holding rainbow flags at the London Pride parade in London.
Belfast Pride

With A-list performers, glittering cabaret and a vibrant parade, this is always an incredible show.

Visit Birmingham Pride

Photo by: jenlgilmour

Nighttime light display, Birmingham Pride
Birmingham Pride

This annual festival strives for equality and inclusion, and honours the LGBTQIA+ trailblazers.

Celebrate Pride Glasgow

Photo by: acawleyphoto

Pride Glasgow
Pride Glasgow

Dive into Europe’s largest celebration for African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean LGBTQIA+ people in London.

Check out UK Black Pride

Photo by: obvkat

Woman standing in front of Black Pride sign
UK Black Pride

Pride Cymru

21st - 22nd June 2025

Supportive, sociable and spirited: that’s the ethos of Cardiff’s LGBTQIA+ festival every summer.

Explore Pride Cymru
Group of people celebrating Pride on the streets of Cardiff, Wales
Pride Cymru

Iris Prize Festival

13th - 19th October 2025

One of the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ film festivals, this cultural celebration takes place in October.

What’s on at the Iris Prize Festival

Photo by: Iris Awards

Location: Image stage

An audience watching the Iris Awards presentation in Cardiff
Iris Prize Festival

Feel the energy of Blackpool Pride, a vibrant display of diversity and inclusion.

Celebrate at Blackpool Pride

Photo by: Pride Blackpool

A performer on stage in front of a crowd at Pride Blackpool
Blackpool Pride

Fill your trip with the music, colour and fun of Pride – and celebrate all-things LGBTQIA+.

More about Pride Cambridge

Photo by: Cambridge Pride

Location: Cambridge, England

Cambridge Pride
Pride Cambridge

From events and club nights, to film screenings and craft markets, see what’s on during your visit.

More about North Wales Pride

Location: North Wales

SVW-C21-1617-0045
North Wales Pride

A fun-packed day with entertainment for everyone.

What’s on at Chesterfield Pride

Photo by: Chesterfield Pride

Location: Peak District

Chesterfield Pride
Chesterfield Pride

For over 20 years, this loud-and-proud festival has celebrated the city’s LGBTQIA+ community.

More about Oxford Pride

Photo by: Oxford Pride

Crowds of people in front of a rainbow coloured bus as part of Oxford Pride
Oxford Pride

Cornwall Pride

24th May - 25th October 2025

Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with colourful street parades, epic club nights and craft markets.

Discover Cornwall Pride

Photo by: Cornwall Pride / Kai Greet Photography

Location: Cornwall

A crowd of people holding a large Pride flag on the coast in Cornwall
Cornwall Pride

Celebrate with the Exmouth Pride event in Manor Gardens, with live entertainment, music, stalls and workshops for a rainbow-themed day.

Join the celebration at Exmouth Pride

Photo by: Leah Cottam/Exmouth Pride

Location: Devon

Exmouth Pride
Exmouth Pride

The biggest LGBTQIA+ event in North Yorkshire, this annual festival takes place every June.

Party at York Pride

Photo by: York Pride

Location: York

A crowd watching a performance on stage at York Pride
York Pride

Discover Nottingham’s LGBTQIA+ history on this self-guided walking tour, which visits locations all over the city.

More about the LGBTQIA+ Walking tour

Photo by: Claire Jones

Location: Notts

LGBT+ Walking tour
LGBTQIA+ Walking tour

From Regency ‘dandies’ to political activism, discover the stories behind this famously progressive city.

Book the Piers and Queers Tour

Photo by: rictours/onlyinbrighton

Location: Brighton

A tour guide talking to a group outside a historic building in Brighton
Piers and Queers Tour

For four days of big, burly fun, the BBW gets Brighton growling – with club nights, bear-a-oke and more.

Explore the Brighton Bear Weekend

Photo by: Brighton Bear Weekend

A group of men attending Brighton Bear Weekend
Brighton Bear Weekend

Mark your diary for the country’s biggest and one of its most popular Pride events, in Brighton.

Celebrate at Brighton & Hove Pride

Photo by: Robby Dee

Location: South Downs

Brighton Pride
Brighton & Hove Pride

Britain’s biggest Pride celebration takes over the capital every summer – with spin-off events year-round.

Celebrate at London Pride

Photo by: Tristan Fewings

A parade goer during Pride in London in July 2019
London Pride

The city dons its glad rags and rainbow flags for the annual Pride parade, concerts and events.

Discover more about Pride in Liverpool

Photo by: Bryan Fowler

Location: Liverpool, England

Two people celebrating Liverpool Pride by blowing bubbles towards the camera
Liverpool Pride

Manchester Pride

15th - 25th August 2025

Manchester’s Gay Village comes alive with eccentric performers, a parade of colours and loads of love.

Check out Manchester Pride

Photo by: Manchester Pride/Carl Sukonik | The Vain Photography

Woman smiling, celebrating during Manchester Pride
Manchester Pride

Bristol Pride

28th June - 13th July 2025

Big names take to the stage for Bristol Pride, with a jam-packed calendar of queer film, LGBTQIA+ performers and insightful talks.

Check out Bristol Pride

Photo by: Bristol Pride

Peppermint at Bristol Pride
Bristol Pride

Northern Pride

19th - 20th July 2025

Wave the flag for Britain’s Northern Pride, bringing celebrations across the North East with an epic march.

Discover Northern Pride

Photo by: ignite entertainment

Northern Pride
Northern Pride

Sparkle Weekend

27th - 29th June 2025

The world’s largest free-to-attend celebration of gender diversity lands in Manchester for an annual festival full of lively music and entertainment.

Discover Sparkle Weekend

Photo by: Sparkle Festival, Danny Mclaren, Snappitysnaps Photography

Sparkle Weekend
Sparkle Weekend

From contemporary music to debates and visual arts – Brighton Festival brings art and culture to Britain’s number one gay destination.

Discover the Brighton Festival

Photo by: Visit Brighton

Brighton Festival
Brighton Festival

Out & Wild Festival is the UK's first wellness festival designed specifically for queer, questioning and curious women and non-binary individuals.

Find community at Out & Wild Festival

Photo by: Out and Wild Festival

Location: Pembrokeshire, Wales

A woman on a yoga mat holding a pair of mallets and preparing to hit a set of gongs
Out & Wild Festival

Filling the streets with colourful parades, dancing and live music, this is Scotland’s longest-running Pride party.

Party at Pride Edinburgh

Photo by: Pride Edinburgh

Crowd at Pride in Edinburgh
Pride Edinburgh

Join the parade and party at Margate Pride, as the Kent coast is lit up in rainbow colours.

Join the parade at Margate Pride

Photo by: Dan Pick

Location: Kent

Margate Pride
Margate Pride

Belfast Pride

18th - 27th July 2025

From parades and parties to protests and activism, Pride Belfast celebrates the local LGBTQIA+ community.

More about Belfast Pride

Photo by: Getty Images/istockphoto/Coldsnowstorm

Location: Northern Ireland

Crowds of people holding rainbow flags at the London Pride parade in London.
Belfast Pride

With A-list performers, glittering cabaret and a vibrant parade, this is always an incredible show.

Visit Birmingham Pride

Photo by: jenlgilmour

Nighttime light display, Birmingham Pride
Birmingham Pride

This annual festival strives for equality and inclusion, and honours the LGBTQIA+ trailblazers.

Celebrate Pride Glasgow

Photo by: acawleyphoto

Pride Glasgow
Pride Glasgow

Dive into Europe’s largest celebration for African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean LGBTQIA+ people in London.

Check out UK Black Pride

Photo by: obvkat

Woman standing in front of Black Pride sign
UK Black Pride

Pride Cymru

21st - 22nd June 2025

Supportive, sociable and spirited: that’s the ethos of Cardiff’s LGBTQIA+ festival every summer.

Explore Pride Cymru
Group of people celebrating Pride on the streets of Cardiff, Wales
Pride Cymru

Iris Prize Festival

13th - 19th October 2025

One of the world’s biggest LGBTQIA+ film festivals, this cultural celebration takes place in October.

What’s on at the Iris Prize Festival

Photo by: Iris Awards

Location: Image stage

An audience watching the Iris Awards presentation in Cardiff
Iris Prize Festival

Feel the energy of Blackpool Pride, a vibrant display of diversity and inclusion.

Celebrate at Blackpool Pride

Photo by: Pride Blackpool

A performer on stage in front of a crowd at Pride Blackpool
Blackpool Pride

Fill your trip with the music, colour and fun of Pride – and celebrate all-things LGBTQIA+.

More about Pride Cambridge

Photo by: Cambridge Pride

Location: Cambridge, England

Cambridge Pride
Pride Cambridge

From events and club nights, to film screenings and craft markets, see what’s on during your visit.

More about North Wales Pride

Location: North Wales

SVW-C21-1617-0045
North Wales Pride

A fun-packed day with entertainment for everyone.

What’s on at Chesterfield Pride

Photo by: Chesterfield Pride

Location: Peak District

Chesterfield Pride
Chesterfield Pride

For over 20 years, this loud-and-proud festival has celebrated the city’s LGBTQIA+ community.

More about Oxford Pride

Photo by: Oxford Pride

Crowds of people in front of a rainbow coloured bus as part of Oxford Pride
Oxford Pride

Cornwall Pride

24th May - 25th October 2025

Celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with colourful street parades, epic club nights and craft markets.

Discover Cornwall Pride

Photo by: Cornwall Pride / Kai Greet Photography

Location: Cornwall

A crowd of people holding a large Pride flag on the coast in Cornwall
Cornwall Pride

Celebrate with the Exmouth Pride event in Manor Gardens, with live entertainment, music, stalls and workshops for a rainbow-themed day.

Join the celebration at Exmouth Pride

Photo by: Leah Cottam/Exmouth Pride

Location: Devon

Exmouth Pride
Exmouth Pride

The biggest LGBTQIA+ event in North Yorkshire, this annual festival takes place every June.

Party at York Pride

Photo by: York Pride

Location: York

A crowd watching a performance on stage at York Pride
York Pride

Discover Nottingham’s LGBTQIA+ history on this self-guided walking tour, which visits locations all over the city.

More about the LGBTQIA+ Walking tour

Photo by: Claire Jones

Location: Notts

LGBT+ Walking tour
LGBTQIA+ Walking tour

From Regency ‘dandies’ to political activism, discover the stories behind this famously progressive city.

Book the Piers and Queers Tour

Photo by: rictours/onlyinbrighton

Location: Brighton

A tour guide talking to a group outside a historic building in Brighton
Piers and Queers Tour

For four days of big, burly fun, the BBW gets Brighton growling – with club nights, bear-a-oke and more.

Explore the Brighton Bear Weekend

Photo by: Brighton Bear Weekend

A group of men attending Brighton Bear Weekend
Brighton Bear Weekend

Top LGBTQIA+ experiences and city guides

Discover LGBTQIA+ things to do all over Britain. Whether it’s getting stuck into a queer book or a night under a disco ball, there’s loads of experiences to uncover.

Pride parades, film festivals and bear parties: the UK’s LGBTQIA+ calendar is jam-packed with fun and flamboyant events.

Photo by: Dan Regan

Bristol Pride marches through the city centre

London frequently tops the list of best LGBTQIA+ destinations and it’s not hard to see why.

Photo by: Getty Images/Flux Factory

Young male gay couple talking outside a bar in the sunshine.

Explore our guide to LGBTQIA+ Birmingham for a rundown of the best events and venues in the city.

Photo by: West Midlands Growth Company

Two women, linking arms, walking beside a canal in evening

Home to the largest gay scene in Scotland, Edinburgh’s vibrant ‘Pink Triangle’ is the place to visit for low-key pubs, lively clubs, and day-time hangouts.

Photo by: Pride Edinburgh

Crowd at Pride in Edinburgh

This seaside city is known for its open attitude, vivacious clubbing scene and two-day Pride extravaganza.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Andrés Balcazar

Jetski in sea below a seaside pier with a funfair

Discover Cardiff's top LGBTQIA+ events, clubs, bars and more. From Wales' annual Pride Cymru parade to Pulse Nightclub where you can celebrate with live DJs.

Group of people having their photograph taken at an event

Home to stylish hotels, famous street art, lively bars, and the largest free Pride event in the UK, Bristol is a dream destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers.

Photo by: Bristol Pride

Peppermint at Bristol Pride

Manchester claims world-famous football teams, a rich cultural heritage and one of the liveliest LGBTQIA+ communities in the UK.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Jacob Niblett

Bar Pop, Canal Street

Modern and sophisticated with a down-to-earth attitude, Glasgow has a large LGBTQIA+ community and plenty to do.

Photo by: acawleyphoto

Pride Glasgow

Liverpool is a creative hotspot with plenty of LGBTQIA+ events and venues to explore. Check out the city's annual gay pride, plus bars, shops and nightclubs.

Photo by: Bryan Fowler

A crowd of people celebrating Liverpool Pride

Newcastle is home to a booming LGBTQIA+ scene and is packed with bars, pubs and late-night clubs! Discover the latest LGBTQIA+ events taking place here.

Photo by: Rich Kenworthy

Location: Newcastle, England

Two men skateboard along the River Tyne in Newcastle

Top LGBTQIA+ destinations

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