PRIDE Abroad: Global Destinations Embracing LGBTQ+ Travelers
TOPSHOT - Aerial view of the 28th Gay Pride Parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, taken on June 2, 2024. ... More (Photo by Miguel SCHINCARIOL / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL SCHINCARIOL/AFP via Getty Images)
The first PRIDE celebrations were held in June 1970, marking the first anniversary of the Stonewall uprising.
Over time, the protests and marches for resistance and acceptance evolved into massive lively festivals that represented progress while continuing to strive for equality.
Today, across America, the month of June is filled with members of the LGBTQ+ community and their allies celebrating equal love and acceptance.
However, under the current political climate and social hostilities, the light around PRIDE celebrations in certain areas has been dimmed.
Government regulations have impacted funding for affiliated organizations, affecting the scale and resources of celebrations and heightening safety concerns surrounding large gatherings.
Since January 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has tracked nearly 600 anti-LGBTQ state legislative bills across the United States targeting transgender youth, restricting access to affirming services and limiting public expression of LGBTQ+ identities.
As stateside PRIDE events face growing uncertainty, many in the community are looking beyond domestic borders. Safety concerns, especially for transgender individuals and other marginalized identities have made some feel less comfortable participating in home based events.
In response, international PRIDE celebrations have become more than just travel opportunities, they're affirming escapes.
LGBTQ+ travelers account for over $218 billion in global travel spending, with 80% choosing destinations that are openly inclusive, supportive of queer rights and LGBTQ+-led businesses .
According to an Expedia survey of 1,000 queer travelers, 54% plan to attend a PRIDE event this year. Seventy-six percent plan to travel outside of their hometown for the occasion, with 43% attending with friends and 10% going solo or bringing a parent.
PRIDE is currently celebrated in at least 101 countries, with Google Trends reporting Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Spain and France as some of the top ten destinations where individuals searched for PRIDE celebrations.
PRIDE celebrations in other countries are increasingly sought after for the opportunity to have unique experiences in welcoming spaces.
Here are a few standout locations and destinations that provide a sense of solidarity that transcends borders.MELBOURNE, VICTORIA STATE, AUSTRALIA - 2025/02/09: A participant wears a special costume adding to ... More the colorful atmosphere of the festival. Victoria's Pride marks the grand finale of Midsumma Festival 2025, drawing thousands to Gertrude and Smith Streets for a day of music, dance and celebration. Supported by the Victorian Government, this event honors LGBTQIA+ communities and their ongoing fight for equality. The festival's roots trace back to the 40th anniversary of decriminalizing homosexuality in Victoria reflecting a legacy of resilience and progress. (Photo by Ye Myo Khant/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Victoria, Australia's lineup of PRIDE activations celebrates LGBTQIA+ communities across both metropolitan and regional areas. Top events include the GALA and People's Choice Awards in Fitzroy North, a semi-formal evening hosted by Euphoria Social that honors queer achievements and supports mental health initiatives and the Gippsland Pride Gala at Lardner Park. Melbourne plays host to Southern HiBearnation, a week-long VicBears festival featuring dance parties, BBQs and the Mr. Australasia Bear competition along with the RISING Festival, which amplifies diverse artistic voices. Pride Cup events blend sports and inclusion statewide and state-supported regional pop-ups bring celebrations to towns like Daylesford and Ballarat. Looking ahead, Victoria's largest LGBTQIA+ cultural celebration, the Midsumma Festival, returns January 18–February 8, 2026, with more than 200 events spanning queer arts, music and family-friendly programming.Playa Pride attracts people from across Playa del Carmen, Cancun, and even Tulum.
Known for its stunning beaches and welcoming atmosphere, Tulum, Mexico is steadily becoming a popular destination for LGBTQ+ travelers and allies. Its PRIDE scene has been growing with standout events like Playa Pride and the debut of Kismet Pride—its first-ever Black LGBTQIA+ Pride experience. Playa Pride draws revelers from Tulum, Playa del Carmen and Cancún for beachside parties, a vibrant parade and regional solidarity. Meanwhile, Kismet Pride organized by Nubia Younge's Black in Tulum offers a luxury sapphic-focused weekend at Secrets Tulum Resort and Beach Club featuring wellness sessions, rooftop foam parties, beach club events and curated mixers that elevate and celebrate Black LGBTQIA+ identity. Several restaurants, bars and resorts in the area have summer-long activations and deals celebrating PRIDE that reflect Tulum's evolving inclusivity.TOPSHOT - A masked participant cheers during the Prague Pride parade in Prague on August 12, 2023. ... More (Photo by Michal Cizek / AFP) (Photo by MICHAL CIZEK/AFP via Getty Images)
Now in its 15th year, Prague Pride stands out as one of Central Europe's most inclusive and defiant Pride celebrations. Prague's Pride is both a joyful festival and a powerful act of resistance. The 2025 theme, "Where Is My Home?"—a poignant line from the Czech national anthem—touches on questions of identity, belonging and safety for queer people in today's hostile political climate. With over 200 events across the city, Prague Pride offers a diverse range of activities including open-air concerts, art exhibitions, debates, community forums and nightlife. The highlight is the annual parade through the UNESCO-listed historic center. The festival also features a Pride Village on the Vltava River, the Pride Café in Kinský Garden for English-speaking visitors and an international football tournament promoting inclusivity through sport.LIMA, PERU - 2016/07/02: Thousands of members of the LGBT community marched through the streets of ... More Lima downtown under the slogan "we are neighbors, we are not criminals". (Photo by Fotoholica Press/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Lima's PRIDE celebration, known as Marcha del Orgullo Lima, is an annual parade that draws over 50,000 participants marching from Campo de Marte through the historic center to Plaza San Martín in support of LGBTQ+ rights. Beyond the parade's festive atmosphere, the march also serves as a political demonstration advocating for equality, transgender rights and social justice. Lima has grown increasingly accepting of its queer community, with expanding visibility reflecting comprehensive progress. The march now benefits from coordination with city authorities and the presence of civil organizations, embassies and inclusive spaces across Lima.REYKJAVIK, ICELAND - AUGUST 17: University of Iceland students take part in the Reykjavík Pride ... More parade on August 17, 2019 in Reykjavik, Iceland. The festival, organized by Reykjavík Pride, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and will take place from August 8th to the 17th. (Photo by)
Reykjavík Pride is one of Iceland's most joyful celebrations, lighting up the capital every August and September with a colorful parade, concerts and community events that draw nearly 100,000 locals and visitors alike. Reykjavík remains welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers year-round thanks to its progressive values, vibrant queer community and strong legal protections. Consistently ranking high on the Legatum Prosperity Index and the Spartacus Gay Travel Index, Iceland stands out as a global leader in LGBTQ+ travel. Locals praise Kiki Queer Bar as the heart of the city's LGBT+ scene, providing a space for endless dancing and socializing. Pink Iceland, a local travel agency that specializes in destination weddings for LGBT+ couples, has compiled a list of queer-owned businesses in Reykjavík worth visiting.Curaçao Pride Walk 2018
The lively capital of Curaçao, Willemstad, shines as a beacon of LGBTQ+ inclusivity in a region where PRIDE and affirming celebrations remain rare. Every year from late September to early October, Curaçao Pride transforms the UNESCO-listed streets of Punda and Otrobanda into a colorful parade and a week-long series of events that draw international visitors and approximately 3,000 parade-goers. The island's LGBTQ+ community benefits from progressive protections such as the legalization and protection of same-sex marriage since July 2024. The island also boasts several queer-friendly businesses and accommodations that hold events and activities welcoming LGBTQ+ patrons. The Curaçao Marriott Beach Resort, situated on Piscadera Bay, is renowned for its inclusive hospitality. The resort offers tailored Pride programming including artistic and wellness classes that focus on providing a safe space and peace of mind for LGBTQ+ guests and allies.Yihao from Queerest
Kowloon City, located in the eastern half of the Kowloon Peninsula, is one of Hong Kong's most diverse districts. The urban metropolis is the perfect backdrop for Hong Kong's colorful and captivating Pride scene, offering a striking contrast to the more conservative currents of the rest of the city. Beginning in June and continuing into July, Eaton HK on Nathan Road serves as the epicenter of Kowloon's PRIDE celebrations with its annual Pride at Eaton festival—this year themed "Reorient to the Future"—a robust interweaving of queer arts, disability pride and refugee solidarity that defies social norms. This year's activations include drag concerts, pop-up markets, several art exhibitions, theatre performances centered on queer artists and a reprise of their popular "Love is Love" package in partnership with Benefit Cosmetics, gifting beauty and relaxation products to all queer couples staying at the Eaton HK property.
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