How to Celebrate Pride in London: LGBTQ+ events 2023

The Parade

March in solidarity with the Pride parade. Made up of 32,000 participants and 600 groups, it's the climactic nucleus of Pride in London, and cheering it on at least once is a must for all those who call this city home. This year's parade begins in Hyde Park, then goes through Piccadilly, Haymarket and Trafalgar Square, before finishing at Whitehall Place.

It’s easy and free to get involved. You can join the march at any point – there’s an interactive map here, charting the route, with food, drink and bathroom breaks along the way.

Pride in London: West End Stages

Along with the Pride March, London's West End hosts four stages with non-stop entertainment from noon until 8pm. This year's programme boasts a number of thrilling performers, ranging from DJs and drag-queen collectives to dance troupes and chart-topping pop stars. Our highlights include: performances from West End performers as well as US mega stars Idina Menzel, Adam Lambert and Todrick Hall at the Trafalgar Square stage; the Cocoa Butter Club and Club Kali on the Golden Square stage; and the glorious coupling of drag king LoUis CYfer and queen Victoria Scone on the Dean Street stage.

The stages are free and big crowds are expected.

Violet Chachki at Berners Tavern Pride brunch

A bouji highlight of this year's unofficial Pride programming: Ru Paul Drag Race winner Violet Chachki and designer Henry Holland are heading up a charity brunch at award-winning restaurant Berners Tavern, in support of two organisations working with vulnerable lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people: The Albert Kennedy Trust and Not a Phase. Tickets cost £60pp, but half of proceeds go directly towards the charities, and you'll get to see Violet Chachki perform her latest material live.

Desire, Love, Identity: Exploring LGBTQ Histories at the British Museum

Queer experience is entwined through history, but rarely spotlighted. This ongoing tour, led by British Museum volunteers, reveals the Queer histories contained within the museum. Spanning famous to lesser-known artefacts, the tour takes you on an LGBTQ journey from the ancient world to contemporary life. The meeting point for the tour is the information desk in the Great Court.

Free, but advance booking required to enter the museum.

Nazar: Pride, Southbank Centre

A fabulous free dance party takes over the South Bank's Riverside Terrace, bringing a vibrant line-up of DJs and dancers celebrating South Asian, Middle Eastern and South West Asian / North African queer culture.

Classical Pride at the Barbican

Classical Pride is a one-off charity event that sees conductor Oliver Zeffman and the CBSO present the first Classical Pride concert given by a major orchestra in Europe. Presented by DJ Nick Grimshaw, the concert features performances from the world-renowned City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, an LGTBQ+ community chorus and celebrated international soloists.

Don't Tell the Bishops: An After-Pride Party

If the high spirits of Pride leave you hankering after a party, then head to the Actor's Church (formerly St Paul's Church) in Covent Garden, where musician and party starter Mark Robert Petty is hosting a line-up of West End performers for a night of celebrating the magic of LGBTQ+-themed musicals and pop anthems.

Advance booking is recommended.

Pride of the Royal Opera House Tour

This behind-the-scenes tour teaches you all about the LGBTQ+ heroes who have helped to build the Royal Ballet and the Royal Opera, from visionary choreographers to gender-fluid performances.

Tickets are £20 and must be booked in advance.