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The country’s largest celebration of LGBT+ history and culture, London Pride (officially named Pride in London) is an event on a truly global scale. Drawing as many as 1.5 million people in recent years, this diverse and colourful event is a highlight among the capital’s busy calendar.
London Pride is born out of the UK’s first official gay pride rally. This was held in 1972 to commemorate the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, an event considered to be the watershed moment in the emergence of the LGBT+ rights movement. Around 2,000 people marched on that day, and numbers swelled year upon year as the campaign for LGBT+ liberation gained momentum.
Like many pride events around the world, London Pride weekend embraces a carnival-like atmosphere. It promises everything from its legendary parade to live music stages, exhibitions, community-led events, and more.
We’ve compiled all the essential London Pride information you'll need to help you plan your day, including how to get there and things to do.
.png "Photo credit: Monya Talcer")
Photo credit: Monya Talcer
When is London Pride?
London Pride takes place on Saturday 29 June this year.
Where is London Pride?
Photo credit: Matias Altbach
London Pride is hard to miss, as the atmosphere and festivities are spread across the city. Although, there are some hotspots to note.
The West End is the place to be if you want to be at the heart of the action. The parade route runs from Marble Arch to Hyde Park Corner, then along Piccadilly to reach Piccadilly Circus, before finishing just after it passes Trafalgar Square. The live performance stages can usually be found in landmark locations like Trafalgar Square and Leicester Square. And don’t forget to flock the streets of Soho (especially when the sun goes down), where the atmosphere is at its most electric.
How to get to London Pride
You can most definitely expect crowds if you’re heading to London Pride. You could save yourself time and money by taking a train to London rather than battling your way through traffic and road closures.
Via the South Western Railway network, you can travel directly to London Waterloo and Vauxhall stations from a wide variety of locations. We’d suggest heading to somewhere super central like Trafalgar Square before journeying on to the West End. It’s a good place to find a spot on the parade route, track down the stages, explore the street festivities, and more.
If you’re keen to get your steps in, it takes 18 minutes to walk from Waterloo station to Trafalgar Square. Simply exit the station, then head left and cross the Golden Jubilee Bridges. Trek to Northumberland Avenue and you’ll soon spot the square in front of you.
There’s always the tube if you’d prefer to save your energy. Hop on the Northern line northbound then get off at Charing Cross. The square is just around the corner from the station exit.
The walk from Vauxhall to Trafalgar Square is a lengthier 37 minutes but you’ll be able to see some of London’s most historical landmarks like the Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Whitehall along the way.
If you’d prefer to journey on the tube, hop on the Victoria line northbound, then switch at Victoria station for eastbound District or Circle line services. Get off at Embankment and the square’s just a couple of minutes’ walk away.
Travelling by train
If you live near transport hubs like Bournemouth, Southampton Central or Portsmouth, why not leave the car at home and use South Western Railway services to travel to London directly?
We’ve got plenty of different ticket types designed to match your travel plans. Benefit from cheaper train tickets by travelling off-peak, and enjoy additional savings if you’re eligible for any Railcards and discounts. Coming to join the festivities with friends or family? Then you could cut your ticket price just by travelling together, thanks to GroupSave.
Travelling within London
It's not only the South West region that can benefit from our direct trains into London. South Western Railway services call in at many outer areas of London along the way, including popular spots like Surbiton, Wimbledon and Richmond. So grab your London Travelcard, Oyster card or contactless and travel seamlessly across the city.
Things to do at London Pride
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Photo credit: James Gourley
London Pride is a truly special event. While its origins are – and the event remains – grounded in making a powerful statement for progress in LGBT+ rights around the world, today’s Pride in London dials the carnival atmosphere up to 10. A massive bonus is that it’s not a ticketed event. Pride’s open to the public and is free to attend.
Don’t forget London Pride is just one of hundreds of pride events that take place around the UK each year, mostly during summer. So whether you’ve loved London Pride and want more or can’t make it this year, use our SWR Pride guide to see which festivities you could reach via our rail network.
London Pride Parade
Undoubtedly the heart and soul of the event, the Pride in London Parade is simply unmissable. With up to 30,000 people marching in over 500 groups, expect the streets of the West End to be awash with colour. See the likes of community groups and charities, dance troupes, drag artists, sports clubs, local businesses, and more. Each year’s parade comes with a distinct theme, and you can expect to see some truly magnificent efforts as the floats and entrants pass by.
The route starts at Marble Arch around noon and finishes at Whitehall Place around four to five hours later. If you’re journeying into London Waterloo or Vauxhall stations, Hyde Park Corner and Piccadilly Circus are ideal spots to head for respectively.
Concerts and stages
Key to Pride in London’s party atmosphere is live music and performance that’s open for all to enjoy. There are usually several London Pride stages scattered across the West End, with up to five distinct performance areas. These can usually be found at immediately recognisable locations like Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square, Soho Square and Golden Square.
Top billed London Pride acts in recent years have included Emeli Sandé, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Billy Porter, and the cast of musicals like Everybody’s Talking About Jamie and & Juliet. With the stage areas free to enter, this is easily some of the best live music in London that you can enjoy without spending your cash.
Queer Britain Museum
Looking for LGBT+ oriented things to do if you’re sticking around in London for 48 hours or more? Then Queer Britain is the perfect pick. Situated over in the bustling and recently regenerated Kings Cross area, Queer Britain sprung up in 2022 to mark 50 years since the UK’s first pride march. It pieces together over 100 years of LGBT+ life through objects, images and artefacts, alongside a busy calendar of special events and one-off exhibits.
You can visit Queer Britain from Wednesday to Sunday. It’s free entry and you won’t need to book in advance.
Parties and events
When London Pride weekend rolls around, it feels like the whole city gets in on the action. As you explore the West End, you’ll see a myriad of street parties and pop-up stages that spill from bars, restaurants and shops. If a party vibe is what you’re after, head to areas like Old Compton Street, Wardour Street and Dean Street.
Tips for a hassle-free London Pride
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Photo credit: Carlos Calika
Keep your day as hassle-free as possible by following these handy tips.
There won’t be anywhere to keep luggage - But if you have large bags or suitcases, you could always take these to a left luggage facility at one of the city’s train stations.
Keep your valuables protected - Particularly given the large crowds, it’s best to keep your phones and wallets in tight pockets, drawstring bags or bum bags.
Prepare for any type of weather - Hopefully the weather will be super warm and sunny. Make you bring sun cream, sun glasses and plenty of water to stay hydrated.
Reach out to volunteers if you need help - On the day, there'll be people all over the parts of the city that celebrations are taking place giving information, assistance, and escalating any safety concerns people may have.
Food and drink
London’s West End isn't short of places to eat and drink. On the day, you'll be spoilt for choice but if you'd like to plan in advance we thought we'd share some places that are worth a look in.
If you’ve finished watching the parade along Piccadilly, you could head for the spectacular HIDE to enjoy modern European food in a stylish three-floor setting. There’s also a charming and contemporary pub called White Horse, and delicious Pan-Asian food over at Titu.
There are also some great options close to the largest stage in Trafalgar Square. YORI’s Korean inspired menu is a real highlight, while Farzi London serves up unforgettable Indian delights. If you’re in Old Compton Street around dinner time, give local favourites like SOLA, Dozo Sushi and Lobos Tapas a visit.
Places to stay near London Pride
You should find plenty of places to stay just a stone’s throw from the action. There’s something to suit all price points and groups too, whether you’re visiting as family, friends or partners.
If you’re on a budget, Travelodge London Covent Garden and Hub by Premier Inn London Soho are among the more affordable stays. Four-star rated hotels The Grand Hotel and The Clermont are just off Trafalgar Square, and both offer comfort and style at a reasonable price. Try the super-luxe W Hotel if you want great views of Leicester Square.
London Pride accessibility
The Pride in London team are committed to making sure everyone can enjoy this incredible event. To provide the best possible experience, they ask that anyone who needs to use accessible facilities across the day submit an Access Requirements Form before arriving. The team will then be able to arrange and direct you towards the right facilities for your needs.
For more information, visit the Pride in London accessibility page.
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