The Best LGBTQ Events in Spain

This year promises to be special, cities and towns all over the country are preparing parties of all kinds, so no matter where you go on holiday in Spain this year you’ll be able to take part in the pride and the fun. 

Madrid is known internationally for being one of the most open-minded and gay-friendly cities in Europe and during the celebrations, the Chueca neighbourhood and the main streets of the centre host a multitude of activities, outdoor concerts and pride parades. 

A cultural exchange space called Pride Village is located in Madrid Río, this space hosts all kinds of educational and cultural activities suitable for the whole family. Madrid Pride is suitable for children, so if you are planning a family holiday to Spain then consider including this event in your list of activities.

Although it is not as big as Madrid Pride, Barcelona Pride is set to be the biggest LGBT event in the Mediterranean and is an unmissable event if you are in renting a holiday apartment in Barcelona. A speech kicks off the celebration in Plaça Universitat which is located just at the beginning of Barcelona’s Eixample district. 

The port of Moll de la Fusta also hosts all kinds of LGBT awareness parties and activities around this time. The whole city takes to the streets for the pride parade, which will start in Plaza España and run down one of Barcelona’s main streets - the Avenida del Paral·lel - until reaching the port. Floats, rainbow flags and more than 20,000 people of all ages and sexual orientations participate in this event and seek to raise awareness for the LGBT community and fight for equality.

The main event of Sitges Pride is the parade which takes place along the promenade. You can expect international DJs, artists, bright floats and thousands of spectators, making this parade one of the best Mediterranean summer festivals and an unmissable event if you are staying in Sitges this year. 

Also taking place in Madrid is the We Pride Festival, another of the biggest gay events in the world. It’s a unique experience, combining the best electronic music with all types of artistic performances from music and dance to decoration and visual effects. It's held in different venues across the city and attracts thousands of young people each year. It’s 10 days of complete madness, freedom and colour.

Over five days, Arona will unleash culture in various forms such as concerts, exhibitions, literary conferences and a film series all celebrating sexual diversity. The Alan Turing Awards will also take place at this festival, which recognises the most outstanding personalities within the world of computing.

This event is loaded with recreational, cultural, sport and pride activities. As well as the best sessions with international DJs, there’s also an incredible water party in the Illa Fantasia waterpark.

Around 12,000 people are expected to attend this festival, where films will be screened and debated between guest speakers and the public. 

If you don’t want to wait until December, there’s always the MadBear Beach which takes place in Torremolinos in August. Festival-goers can enjoy boat, pool and beach parties and of course, the men of the Costa del Sol.

It is held at the end of December and features sessions from some of the best international DJs, shows of all kinds and dozens of dancers to light up the atmosphere. Without a doubt, it’s a paradise of fun and the best commercial music. What better way to say goodbye to the past year than surrounding yourself with the most handsome men and the best energy in one of the craziest parties in Madrid?