Find your Pride at these London events
The largest LGBTQIA+ celebration in the UK may not happen until the end of June, but there are plenty of ways to celebrate queer culture before the parade marches on Piccadilly. This Pride Month, gather your people and celebrate at parties, screenings, and all kinds of gatherings throughout London. Find your Pride at events in London where you can show up and show off who you truly are.
Hear stories of drag queens during the 1700s, secret meetups in the 1920s, and Soho’s connection with LGBTQIA+ communities, as you learn about 2000 years of London's queer history on a guided tour. You'll also hear how equality has advanced over the decades — but not for all.
Bellmaker Bethnal Queers Variety Show
With comedy, drag, live music, and spoken word all being regular fixtures, variety is indeed the name of the game at this monthly showcase, which guarantees a night of entertainment. The fun takes place in a vibey Bethnal Green wine bar serving London-made vino.
LGBTQ+ Positive Voices
This free art exhibition explores and champions diversity and positivity within LGBTQ+ communities through a range of mediums, including music, video installations, painting and other visual art forms — even games. It’s hosted at creative education hotspot Goldsmiths.
LGBTQ+ Ballet
Learn to pirouette and perhaps how to pas de bourré at this inclusive ballet class, suitable for absolute beginners. It’s hosted at the LGBTQ+ Community Centre and open to all. Even if you don’t see yourself as a dancer, it’s a great way to improve core strength and coordination.
Pride in Writing
Get all literary to help Hachette Pride — an employee network of acclaimed publishing house Hachette — celebrate its LGBTQ+ authors. Two sure-to-be-engaging panel discussions with some of those authors explore weighty topics: ‘New Queer Voices’ and ‘Queering the Ages.’
Queer History Walking Tour: Culture Mile
Hear about the historical LGBTQ+ connections of the area stretching between Farringdon and Moorgate, known in the 18th century as a hotspot for gay bars. This guided tour also connects the dots with cultural contributions of contemporary LGBTQ+ communities in modern-day London.
Queer Open Mic
Grab those five sweet minutes of fame you’ve been waiting for at this session for LGBTQ+ performers. Whether you want to flex the vocal cords, crack some gags, tell stories, or bust out your dance moves, you’ve got five minutes to do it in an inclusive and supportive space.
Incept: Pride
Proudly diverse arts and media collective Incept hosts an evening of fun to mark Pride Month. Taking place at the Vauxhall outpost of popular London taproom crew Mother Kelly’s, there’ll be DJs and live music to set the mood, plus all kinds of live performance acts.
Be More Bobu: Charity Cabaret
Head over to Soho institution The Two Brewers for a night of varied entertainment, covering comedy, live music, burlesque, and a “Queer icons bingo” session — plus a charity raffle. The fun is in support of Bobu, an upcoming new public safety app designed for LGBTQ+ communities.
Pride Month Film Fest: “Moonlight”
This celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories onscreen showcases three heralded films throughout June to mark Pride Month. Head to this screening of “Moonlight,” the multi-Oscar-winning tale of Chiron, a young Black man in Miami exploring sexuality and learning to survive.
The Bloomsbury Group: a Queer History
Much has been written about the famous, literary-focused Bloomsbury Group of the early 1900s, but less is known about the second Bloomsbury generation that followed. Learn about this pansexual, gender-defying, and boundary-pushing collective at a free lecture.
Pride: Comedy with Chloe Petts & Guests
Get Pride Month off to a roaring start by, erm, roaring with laughter at this LGBTQ+ comedy gig, where the jokes are guaranteed to be better than that one. Headliner Chloe Petts is a seasoned, superb comic, and guests like Sikisa and Dane Buckley promise further hilarity.
Pride & Prejudice: Queer Brews & True Crime Tales
Learn as you sip four craft beers from Queer-owned breweries, while a co-host of the Switchblade Sisters Social Club podcast recalls true crime stories that have impacted LGBTQ+ communities, both negatively and positively.
LGBTQ+ Book & Film Club
Chat with other bookworms and film buffs about celebrated LGBTQ+ stories at this free, monthly meetup. The chosen title for Pride Month is “Call Me by Your Name,” André Aciman’s novel about 17-year-old Elio Perlman’s infatuation with a visiting intellectual house guest.
Cupping with Pride
Help raise funds for vulnerable LGBTQIA+ communities across Africa while also learning about East African coffee at this event, co-hosted by Omwani Coffee. There’s a cupping session to boost knowledge, food, and a raffle, with funds going to the African Queer Youth Initiative.
Comedy Queers
Kick back and laugh during a night of LGBTQIA+ stand-up comedy, guided by a team of expert side-splitters. Two excellent, razor-sharp comedians — Ania Magliano and Rhys Thorne — provide headline sets, with other talented names offering further funny business.
Queer Book Club
Read, discuss, and repeat at this monthly book club, which focuses on work by queer authors. June’s title is “Hijab Butch Blues” by Lamya H, a memoir by a queer Muslim immigrant from South Asia, writing about childhood in the Middle East and later life in the United States.
Queer Salsa & Bachata Pride Party
Unveil some snappy new dance moves for Pride by heading to this class, which teaches basic salsa and bachata techniques to beginners. It’s a fun and welcoming intro to both of these energetic dance styles, and there’ll be a chance to test out your moves at the end.
That’s Drag Bingo
Prepare for a joyfully raucous night, plenty of laughs, and even a bit of bingo at this full-on-fun evening. Orange Gina, Ariel Bold, and Magik are your venerable and hilarious hosts, guiding you through the rounds and dishing out good-natured sass along the way.
Pride in Strength: Queer Lifting Workshop
Do you know what axle bars, tyre flips, and atlas stones are? Start finding out by pumping some iron at this friendly and inclusive lifting class. It’s partly a practice for the upcoming Queerstrong competition in September, but all are welcome to join, regardless of ability.
LGBTQ+ Out for Sport Festival
Ever wanted to try shorinji kempo, softball, or dragon boat racing? Now’s your chance at this gathering of LGBTQ-inclusive sports clubs from across London. Traditional activities are offered and no experience is needed for these taster sessions, which are all free.
Queer Walking Group
Explore lush woodland forests, calm waterside locales, and wildlife havens, all contained within London’s urban sprawl and all visitable through a monthly walking club aimed primarily at LGBTQ+ communities. A chance for social connections or to soak up nature, or a bit of both.
Jon Savage: “The Secret Public”
Acclaimed music writer and journalist Jon Savage discusses his latest book, which examines how music and wider entertainment helped push LGBTQ+ culture from the fringes into the spotlight over a 25-year period. Jon is joined in conversation by celebrated musician Tom Robinson.
No More Mr Nice Gay: Doug Crossley
Ditch niceties for a night and join comedian and writer Doug Crossley as he delves into the benefits of deleting kindness and becoming, as he puts it, “an evil gay” for a while. Find out the results at this LOL-worthy show, which also features a few songs for good measure.
Emily’s Hampstead Heath Walking Book Club: “Giovanni’s Room”
This ‘walk-and-talk’ literary meetup focuses on a seminal work of gay fiction to mark Pride Month: “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin, a passionate and melancholic tale of an American man in 1950s Paris. Stroll over north London’s green expanse as you chat with other bookworms.
Pride: A Discussion & Poetry Evening with Tolu Elusadé
Photography, poetry, and Pride meet head-on at a richly creative event, where visual artist Tolu Elusadé discusses their accomplished photography and how it showcases LGBTQIA+ communities. Tolu also performs poetry, and so can you as an audience performer!
Queer Drag Life Drawing Class
Get your sketch on at this artist-led class, featuring LGBTQ+ models and two experienced professionals on-hand for advice. Fear not if you’ve got zero drawing experience as all abilities are welcome, and the two expert illustrators will explain techniques as you sketch.
Football Pride
Be part of the conversations helping to propel football into a new era of inclusivity and diversity at this event. Hosted at Chelsea’s own Stamford Bridge, there’ll be activities and talks on LGBTQIA+ football culture, networking, and lunch.
Drag Comedy Cabaret
Find out why British South Asian drag queen and TikTok sensation Lady Bushra (comedian Amir Dean) was shortlisted for a BBC New Comedy Award during a night of cabaret-style comedy. Bushra entertains the audience as only she knows how, which should be immensely fun.
The Big Pride Science Party
Delve into Pride-themed scientific exploration, courtesy of the Royal Institution and the Pride in STEM network. The science behind rainbows and colours will be examined, and there’ll be a surprisingly deep dive into glitter (the eco kind, naturally) and Pride-adjacent topics.
Pride Boat
Fancy arriving at the Pride Parade in nautical style? Hop aboard this boat party (organised by equality charity Metro) and sail a scenic stretch of the Thames as you dance to ’80s belters, arriving at Westminster Pier a few hours later to continue the Pride celebrations.
Yoga for Acceptance: An Event for Pride
Ease into the day of the London Pride Parade with a free yoga and meditation class. Before you hit the busy, buzzy streets, this 90-minute session is designed to provide relaxation through breathwork and stretches, as well as celebrating the power of positivity and kindness.
Club de Fromage: Pride Special
If you want to keep partying post-Pride Parade, this much-loved club night is the place to channel positive pop energy, all while throwing yourself about to undisputed bangers and Pride anthems from the likes of Madonna, Britney, and Wham! amid confetti and glitter.
Pride Zine Workshop
Get crafty to celebrate Pride by making a zine at this hands-on workshop. The theme is LGBTQIA+ associations with ‘pride’ and is very much open to individual interpretations. You’ll get an envelope of cut-outs for collages and there’ll be creative exercises for inspiration.
A Flash of Pride: A Reading
What can be done in 100 words? A lot, as this event celebrating ‘flash fiction’ proves. Micro-stories from new and emerging writers — collaborating with the Gay Authors Workshop — will be read out, whisking the audience through meticulously created universes.
Find your Pride at these London events
The largest LGBTQIA+ celebration in the UK may not happen until the end of June, but there are plenty of ways to celebrate queer culture before the parade marches on Piccadilly. This Pride Month, gather your people and celebrate at parties, screenings, and all kinds of gatherings throughout London. Find your Pride at events in London where you can show up and show off who you truly are.
A Queer History of London: The LGBTQIA+ Walking Tour
Hear stories of drag queens during the 1700s, secret meetups in the 1920s, and Soho’s connection with LGBTQIA+ communities, as you learn about 2000 years of London's queer history on a guided tour. You'll also hear how equality has advanced over the decades — but not for all.
Bellmaker Bethnal Queers Variety Show
With comedy, drag, live music, and spoken word all being regular fixtures, variety is indeed the name of the game at this monthly showcase, which guarantees a night of entertainment. The fun takes place in a vibey Bethnal Green wine bar serving London-made vino.
LGBTQ+ Positive Voices
This free art exhibition explores and champions diversity and positivity within LGBTQ+ communities through a range of mediums, including music, video installations, painting and other visual art forms — even games. It’s hosted at creative education hotspot Goldsmiths.
LGBTQ+ Ballet
Learn to pirouette and perhaps how to pas de bourré at this inclusive ballet class, suitable for absolute beginners. It’s hosted at the LGBTQ+ Community Centre and open to all. Even if you don’t see yourself as a dancer, it’s a great way to improve core strength and coordination.
Pride in Writing
Get all literary to help Hachette Pride — an employee network of acclaimed publishing house Hachette — celebrate its LGBTQ+ authors. Two sure-to-be-engaging panel discussions with some of those authors explore weighty topics: ‘New Queer Voices’ and ‘Queering the Ages.’
Queer History Walking Tour: Culture Mile
Hear about the historical LGBTQ+ connections of the area stretching between Farringdon and Moorgate, known in the 18th century as a hotspot for gay bars. This guided tour also connects the dots with cultural contributions of contemporary LGBTQ+ communities in modern-day London.
Queer Open Mic
Grab those five sweet minutes of fame you’ve been waiting for at this session for LGBTQ+ performers. Whether you want to flex the vocal cords, crack some gags, tell stories, or bust out your dance moves, you’ve got five minutes to do it in an inclusive and supportive space.
Incept: Pride
Proudly diverse arts and media collective Incept hosts an evening of fun to mark Pride Month. Taking place at the Vauxhall outpost of popular London taproom crew Mother Kelly’s, there’ll be DJs and live music to set the mood, plus all kinds of live performance acts.
Be More Bobu: Charity Cabaret
Head over to Soho institution The Two Brewers for a night of varied entertainment, covering comedy, live music, burlesque, and a “Queer icons bingo” session — plus a charity raffle. The fun is in support of Bobu, an upcoming new public safety app designed for LGBTQ+ communities.
Pride Month Film Fest: “Moonlight”
This celebration of LGBTQIA+ stories onscreen showcases three heralded films throughout June to mark Pride Month. Head to this screening of “Moonlight,” the multi-Oscar-winning tale of Chiron, a young Black man in Miami exploring sexuality and learning to survive.
The Bloomsbury Group: a Queer History
Much has been written about the famous, literary-focused Bloomsbury Group of the early 1900s, but less is known about the second Bloomsbury generation that followed. Learn about this pansexual, gender-defying, and boundary-pushing collective at a free lecture.
Pride: Comedy with Chloe Petts & Guests
Get Pride Month off to a roaring start by, erm, roaring with laughter at this LGBTQ+ comedy gig, where the jokes are guaranteed to be better than that one. Headliner Chloe Petts is a seasoned, superb comic, and guests like Sikisa and Dane Buckley promise further hilarity.
Pride & Prejudice: Queer Brews & True Crime Tales
Learn as you sip four craft beers from Queer-owned breweries, while a co-host of the Switchblade Sisters Social Club podcast recalls true crime stories that have impacted LGBTQ+ communities, both negatively and positively.
LGBTQ+ Book & Film Club
Chat with other bookworms and film buffs about celebrated LGBTQ+ stories at this free, monthly meetup. The chosen title for Pride Month is “Call Me by Your Name,” André Aciman’s novel about 17-year-old Elio Perlman’s infatuation with a visiting intellectual house guest.
Cupping with Pride
Help raise funds for vulnerable LGBTQIA+ communities across Africa while also learning about East African coffee at this event, co-hosted by Omwani Coffee. There’s a cupping session to boost knowledge, food, and a raffle, with funds going to the African Queer Youth Initiative.
Comedy Queers
Kick back and laugh during a night of LGBTQIA+ stand-up comedy, guided by a team of expert side-splitters. Two excellent, razor-sharp comedians — Ania Magliano and Rhys Thorne — provide headline sets, with other talented names offering further funny business.
Queer Book Club
Read, discuss, and repeat at this monthly book club, which focuses on work by queer authors. June’s title is “Hijab Butch Blues” by Lamya H, a memoir by a queer Muslim immigrant from South Asia, writing about childhood in the Middle East and later life in the United States.
Queer Salsa & Bachata Pride Party
Unveil some snappy new dance moves for Pride by heading to this class, which teaches basic salsa and bachata techniques to beginners. It’s a fun and welcoming intro to both of these energetic dance styles, and there’ll be a chance to test out your moves at the end.
That’s Drag Bingo
Prepare for a joyfully raucous night, plenty of laughs, and even a bit of bingo at this full-on-fun evening. Orange Gina, Ariel Bold, and Magik are your venerable and hilarious hosts, guiding you through the rounds and dishing out good-natured sass along the way.
Pride in Strength: Queer Lifting Workshop
Do you know what axle bars, tyre flips, and atlas stones are? Start finding out by pumping some iron at this friendly and inclusive lifting class. It’s partly a practice for the upcoming Queerstrong competition in September, but all are welcome to join, regardless of ability.
LGBTQ+ Out for Sport Festival
Ever wanted to try shorinji kempo, softball, or dragon boat racing? Now’s your chance at this gathering of LGBTQ-inclusive sports clubs from across London. Traditional activities are offered and no experience is needed for these taster sessions, which are all free.
Queer Walking Group
Explore lush woodland forests, calm waterside locales, and wildlife havens, all contained within London’s urban sprawl and all visitable through a monthly walking club aimed primarily at LGBTQ+ communities. A chance for social connections or to soak up nature, or a bit of both.
Jon Savage: “The Secret Public”
Acclaimed music writer and journalist Jon Savage discusses his latest book, which examines how music and wider entertainment helped push LGBTQ+ culture from the fringes into the spotlight over a 25-year period. Jon is joined in conversation by celebrated musician Tom Robinson.
No More Mr Nice Gay: Doug Crossley
Ditch niceties for a night and join comedian and writer Doug Crossley as he delves into the benefits of deleting kindness and becoming, as he puts it, “an evil gay” for a while. Find out the results at this LOL-worthy show, which also features a few songs for good measure.
Emily’s Hampstead Heath Walking Book Club: “Giovanni’s Room”
This ‘walk-and-talk’ literary meetup focuses on a seminal work of gay fiction to mark Pride Month: “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin, a passionate and melancholic tale of an American man in 1950s Paris. Stroll over north London’s green expanse as you chat with other bookworms.
Pride: A Discussion & Poetry Evening with Tolu Elusadé
Photography, poetry, and Pride meet head-on at a richly creative event, where visual artist Tolu Elusadé discusses their accomplished photography and how it showcases LGBTQIA+ communities. Tolu also performs poetry, and so can you as an audience performer!
Queer Drag Life Drawing Class
Get your sketch on at this artist-led class, featuring LGBTQ+ models and two experienced professionals on-hand for advice. Fear not if you’ve got zero drawing experience as all abilities are welcome, and the two expert illustrators will explain techniques as you sketch.
Football Pride
Be part of the conversations helping to propel football into a new era of inclusivity and diversity at this event. Hosted at Chelsea’s own Stamford Bridge, there’ll be activities and talks on LGBTQIA+ football culture, networking, and lunch.
Drag Comedy Cabaret
Find out why British South Asian drag queen and TikTok sensation Lady Bushra (comedian Amir Dean) was shortlisted for a BBC New Comedy Award during a night of cabaret-style comedy. Bushra entertains the audience as only she knows how, which should be immensely fun.
The Big Pride Science Party
Delve into Pride-themed scientific exploration, courtesy of the Royal Institution and the Pride in STEM network. The science behind rainbows and colours will be examined, and there’ll be a surprisingly deep dive into glitter (the eco kind, naturally) and Pride-adjacent topics.
Pride Boat
Fancy arriving at the Pride Parade in nautical style? Hop aboard this boat party (organised by equality charity Metro) and sail a scenic stretch of the Thames as you dance to ’80s belters, arriving at Westminster Pier a few hours later to continue the Pride celebrations.
Yoga for Acceptance: An Event for Pride
Ease into the day of the London Pride Parade with a free yoga and meditation class. Before you hit the busy, buzzy streets, this 90-minute session is designed to provide relaxation through breathwork and stretches, as well as celebrating the power of positivity and kindness.
Club de Fromage: Pride Special
If you want to keep partying post-Pride Parade, this much-loved club night is the place to channel positive pop energy, all while throwing yourself about to undisputed bangers and Pride anthems from the likes of Madonna, Britney, and Wham! amid confetti and glitter.
Pride Zine Workshop
Get crafty to celebrate Pride by making a zine at this hands-on workshop. The theme is LGBTQIA+ associations with ‘pride’ and is very much open to individual interpretations. You’ll get an envelope of cut-outs for collages and there’ll be creative exercises for inspiration.
A Flash of Pride: A Reading
What can be done in 100 words? A lot, as this event celebrating ‘flash fiction’ proves. Micro-stories from new and emerging writers — collaborating with the Gay Authors Workshop — will be read out, whisking the audience through meticulously created universes.