Get ready to celebrate 25 years of Stockholm Pride

In 2023 Stockholm will celebrate 25 years of Stockholm Pride. From 31 July to 5 August, the city will take a stand, dare to be uncomfortable, spread love and joy, get back up and stand proud together. All over the city there will be music, parties and workshops as Stockholm museums, restaurants and clubs join in the celebrations. Keep reading for our guide to the best Stockholm Pride events in 2023.

In 2023, the theme for Stockholm Pride is Celebrate diversity. The goal of the theme is to pay tribute to all who further increase diversity in society when it comes to identities, sexual orientation, religions, cultures, heritage and much more. And, of course, in the true spirit of diversity, everyone is welcome to join in this year’s anniversary celebrations by attending activities during Stockholm Pride.

So where do you go in Stockholm to celebrate and join in activities? The main festival area is known as Pride Park, which sets up in Östermalm’s IP. Between Wednesday 2 August and Saturday 5 August, every night will feature fantastic artists, stands, restaurants and bars for music and parties.

The park is in many ways the heart of the festival, where festival-goers, exhibitors, performers and volunteers come together to create Stockholm's biggest festival! The main stage is set up in the middle of Pride Park and sees both the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the opera sing-a-long, drag and burlesque shows and the ever popular Schlager party which will be full of surprises.

Throughout Pride Park there will be restaurant tents with classic festival food, though focussed on quality and green options, and a range of food trucks with flavours and influences from around the world. Pride Kinky is a dedicated section in the park for fetish, leather and BDSM. The quarter is intended to be a safe place for play, exploration and curiosity. The area is open to those over 18 years of age.

Pride House is the home of democratic discourse and important meetings during Stockholm Pride. In 2023, the House again takes up residence at the Clarion Hotel and opens its doors every day from Monday 31 July to Friday 4 August from 11 in the morning to 5 in the afternoon. Here organisations, associations, companies, political parties and individuals can meet and exchange experiences and talk about issues and challenges for the LGBTQ community. And you can also join in workshops, author talks, debates and visit an art gallery here.

Throughout the festival there will be special activities for the young, under the banner name of Pride Youth, with dedicated lectures at the House, the Park and theme days at Lava. Lava is the creative heart of Stockholm Pride, set in Kulturhuset in the centre of the city, where you can make pins, paint, borrow books, print shirts and much more.

The entire city embraces Pride and many communities, civil societies and business organise their own events to celebrate Stockholm Pride. You’ll find events in churches, tattoo shops, pastry shops, cinemas and musuems. Fotografiska, for example, opens the exhibition Uncensored by AdeY as well as a specially choreographed performance by AdeY and Bee Brown followed by an artist talk where the artist will tell their story.

The exhibition by the former professional dancer turned photographer opens its doors on 28 July. The works combine photography and performance with depictions of the naked body in playful formations, in minimalist rooms and empty landscapes. The performance and artist talk are in the evening on 3 August, a special ticket in needed for this event but a regular ticket will give access to the exhibition.

Finally there is the big Pride Parade on 5 August, which will wind its way through the city centre from City Hall to Pride Park, along a 4.5 km long route. The parade starts at 1 in the afternoon at Holger Bloms Plats. It will take around 2 hours for the Parade to move to Östermalm’s IP.

The Parade in Stockholm is Scandinavia’s largest with around 50,000 participants and 500,000 spectators in the crowd. The parade is a joyful and colourful manifestation of love for human rights and a demonstration for everyone’s right to love and be who they are.

Other activities to look forward to during Stockholm Pride include a Queer Stockholm tour on 1 August, which gives a historical glimpse at the sexual culture of the city and the diverse lives of LGBTQ people in Stockholm, from the 19th century onwards. Södra Teatern will once again organise Transfesten, a party for trans people and allies, and Nalen will be the site for Moxy Pride with 2 dance floors where everyone can come to celebrate, be proud and most importantly dance!