It’s been 50 years since the Stonewall riots ignited the modern Pride movement, meaning 2019 is an extra special time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. And with events happening around the world, there’s all the more reason to turn your summer vacay into a Pride-cation.
So pack your SPF and rainbow-print everything, and get your Pride on this summer. Read on for our top Pride picks and the data you need to make 2019 the best Pride yet.
Los Angeles, California
Flight prices to Los Angeles during Pride are down 11% compared with last year, so it’s a great year to celebrate Pride in Southern California. Head to West Hollywood for a warm weather celebration (and one of the largest Pride events in the country). The neighborhood is known for its nightlife, so be sure to grab a cocktail or catch a show at one of the local favorites like Whiskey a Go Go.
While LA Pride Week is technically May 31 to June 9, you’ll want to plan your trip to include the last weekend – when performers like Meghan Trainor and Years & Years will take the stage. And the parade kicks off Sunday, June 9, at 11am at West Hollywood Park. Tickets for the 2-day festival are $20 a day (or $30 for both). But if you’d prefer to save your cash, there’s a free block party on Santa Monica Boulevard from 12-7pm on both days.
Parade date: Sunday, June 9th
Median airfare: $472
Median hotel: $186 /night
Tel Aviv, Israel
Tel Aviv has a lot to offer travelers throughout the year, but if you’re looking to step up your Pride game, the city’s celebration is worth the trip. And, with flight searches up 17% compared with last year, more and more people are catching on. The festivities officially start on Sunday, June 9, with events throughout the city, but be sure to stay for the parade on June 14.
The parade kicks off at Gan Meir Park and weaves through the streets of Tel Aviv before making its way to Charles Clore Beach where it culminates in a giant beach party. If you have extra time to explore, visit the Neve Tzedek Quarter – it’s the oldest neighborhood in the city, extremely Instagrammable and full of funky shops and hip restaurants.
Parade date: Friday, June 14
Median airfare: $624
Median hotel: $204 /night
Vienna, Austria
Flight searches to Vienna for Pride have increased 25% compared with last year (while searches for hotels have increased 55%), and for good reason. Vienna plays host to EuroPride in 2019 – a European celebration that takes place in a different city each year. However, according to our data, flight prices are actually down nearly 30% for Vienna versus last year’s Pride festivities.
Events take place throughout the city from June 1 to 16, but there are a few, in particular, you should add to your calendar. Visit the Pride Village at Rathausplatz (right in front of the city hall) for four days of entertainment and celebration leading up to the EuroPride Parade on June 15. The route starts at the Pride Village and takes participants in a circle along Wiener Ringstrasse. If you need to cool down after all the Pride festivities, take an extra day and relax at one of the city’s outdoor pools.
Parade date: Saturday, June 15
Median airfare: $159
Median hotel: $115 /night
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Pride Toronto is the biggest festival in Canada and one of the biggest Pride festivals in the world. And with median flight prices down 10% compared with last year, it’s a great choice for 2019. While the month of June is packed with Pride events, Festival Weekend is prime time to visit. Head to Cawthra Square Park to catch some of the city’s best Pride events. The parade takes place on Sunday, June 23, and starts at the corner of Church Street and Bloor Street.
While you’re in town, don’t miss the views from the CN Tower. If your legs are tired from all the Pride walking you did, not to worry – a high-speed elevator will get you to the top in less than a minute.
Parade date: Sunday, June 23
Median airfare: $573
Median hotel: $213 /night
São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo hosts one of the largest Pride celebrations in the world – 2017 alone saw 5 million revelers – but even with such a large expected turnout (and flight searches are actually up 10% compared with last year), our data shows that flight prices are down 11% since 2018.
The official celebration lasts five days, but the parade alone is worth the trip. It kicks off Sunday, June 23, in front of the Museum of Art of São Paulo (also worth a visit). It’s easily accessible via the metro. Just take Linha 2 – Verde, which runs along the city’s main street Avenida Paulista, and get off at Trianon-Masp or Consolação stations.
Parade date: Sunday, June 23
Median airfare: $420
Median hotel: $74/night
New York, New York
WorldPride is happening in New York City this year, which means São Paulo may have some competition. It comes as no surprise that interest in this year’s NYC world event has skyrocketed – compared with last year, flight searches for New York during Pride are up more than 30% and hotel searches are up more than 40%.
Honoring the 50 years since Stonewall – which happened in the city’s Greenwich Village in 1969 – makes it an extra special year to celebrate Pride in NYC. More than 50 events are happening throughout the month of June culminating in the NYC Pride March, which steps off at noon on June 30 from 26th Street and 5th Avenue.
If you’re thinking about making the trip to New York for WorldPride, you’ll find everything you need to get started in our WorldPride NYC Guide.
Parade date: Sunday, June 30
Median flight: $563
Median hotel: $237/night
Paris, France
The Marche des Fiertés LGBT has been happening in Paris for more than 40 years, but recently got a name change. While median flight prices are slightly more expensive compared with last year (15% up), you may make some of this up when it comes to finding a hotel. Our data shows hotel prices are 6% lower compared with 2018.
The annual festivities kick off on the Place de la Concorde, near the National Assembly on Saturday, June 29. The route is especially scenic (it is Paris, after all), taking revelers past the Louvre, along Rue de Rivoli and through the central district of Châtelet-les-Halles. It ends at Place de la République, where the festivities continue until 10pm.
Parade date: Saturday, June 29
Median airfare: $687
Median hotel: $182/night
San Francisco, California
Happening over two days at the end of June, San Francisco PRIDE is one of the oldest and most well-known Pride events in the world. And it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, flight searches have increased by nearly 40% compared with last year. However, even with increased interest, you can rest easy – our data shows hotel prices down 15% compared with 2018.
The events start downtown on Saturday, June 29, and are free of charge to attend (although a $1 to $5 donation is suggested). The Parade kicks off Sunday morning down Market Street from the Embarcadero to the Civic Center. If you’d like to score a prime vantage point, you can purchase tickets for Grandstand seating on the northside of Market Street ($40).
Parade date: Sunday, June 30
Median airfare: $673
Median hotel: $216/night
Madrid, Spain
There’s a lot to celebrate about Madrid Pride (known as MADO’19), and its popularity is increasing. Interest in hotels during Pride is up 46% compared with last year. Free outdoor concerts and parties are happening throughout the city’s Chueca neighborhood, a hub for Madrid’s gay community where you’ll find hip cocktail bars and tasty twists on Spanish cuisine.
Fuel up for Saturday, when the MADO parade winds its way through the main streets of Madrid from Atocha to Colón. For food and views in Chueca, head to Mercado de San Antón – a three-story market with tons of food options on offer and a rooftop bar perfect for sipping cocktails.
Parade date: Saturday, July 6
Median airfare: $851
Median hotel: $111/night
Amsterdam, Netherlands
If Amsterdam is on your travel list, Pride is a pretty ideal time to check it out. And with flight prices for Pride Amsterdam down 37% compared with last year, 2019 may be the year to see it for yourself. The events on offer over the course of the weekend are vast and varied.
While you’d be hard pressed to find a Pride celebration without an epic parade, Amsterdam adds a local spin. Spend some time by the city’s scenic waterways and get your Pride on at the Canal Parade, which takes place on Saturday, August 3, beginning from Oosterdok. You’ll also find multiple festive street parties throughout the weekend.
Parade date: Saturday, August 3
Median airfare: $297
Median hotel: $187/night
Start planning your Pride trip with confidence, or explore more Pride Destinations to see which celebrations are the right fit for your budget.
Methodology
Search dates for flights and hotels used are six months before travel for Pride dates as follows. YoY compares data for Pride dates in 2019 with Pride dates in 2018.
NYC: June 28-July 1, 2019 vs. June 22-25, 2018; LA: June 7-10, 2019 vs. June 8-11, 2018; Paris: June 28- July 1, 2019 vs. June 29-July 2, 2018; San Francisco: June 28- July 1, 2019 vs. June 22-25, 2018; Toronto: June 21-24, 2019 vs. June 22-25, 2018; Amsterdam: August 2-5, 2019 vs. August 3-6, 2018; Tel Aviv: June 13-16, 2019 vs. June 7-10, 2018; Vienna: June 14-17, 2019 vs. June 15-18, 2018; São Paulo: June 21-24, 2019 vs. June 1-4, 2018; Madrid: July 5-8, 2019 vs. July 6-9, 2018
