Portugal is one of the safest and LGBTQ+ friendliest countries in the world, and its capital city of Lisbon is known for its welcoming nature. It’s no wonder, when it comes to celebrating Pride, that there’s a lot to do around this beautiful and diverse city. Whether you want to march in a parade, hang out with locals, make new friends, drink, dine, or dance until you drop, there’s a ton of fun to be had around the city. Here are some of the best events and places to experience Pride in Lisbon.
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Lisbon Pride
The celebration of Lisbon Pride began in 1997 and has grown steadily over the years to become Portugal’s largest event, with over 75,000 people celebrating and advocating equality for the LGBTQ+ community. The city loves Pride so much that it celebrates with two exciting happenings held on consecutive weekends.
Lisbon Pride Parade (Marcha Do Orgulho)
Lisbon Pride Parade (Marcha do Orgulho) is the kick-off event. The parade offers a fantastic, colorful, joyous walk through Lisbon with a chance to see some of the most beautiful neighborhoods and iconic sites throughout the parade. Rainbow flags, colorful costumes, floats, music, dancing, and a celebratory mood permeate this event where everyone is welcome. The parade highlights the visibility, solidarity, and diversity of the community. The fun and jubilant atmosphere attracts many locals as well as visitors who celebrate love in this beautiful city by the sea.
Lisbon Pride Village (Arraial Pride)
The second exciting LGBTQ+ happening around Portugal’s capital city takes place the weekend after the parade. At Arraial Pride (Pride Village), the party comes to Lisbon’s largest, most beautiful, and historical square: Praça do Comércio (Market Square). The open-air setting by the sea provides the perfect backdrop for an all-day (and all-night) party. There are stands selling merchandise, providing information about LGBTQ+ and other organizations, and selling food and drinks. Throughout the evening, there are DJs, dance performances, special guests, and surprises that keep the fun going. It’s no surprise that people have a great time dancing until dawn at this popular Pride party.
Lisbon Bear Pride
Lisbon also has exciting events for bears, admirers, and friends. Lisbon Bear Pride is a weeklong gathering that includes a variety of activities, including parties, concerts, and cultural events. Pool parties and poolside shows are a favorite. Bar crawls and tours of the city are popular too. Art exhibitions, film screenings, and other cultural events highlight the bear community and celebrate its contributions to the city of Lisbon. Other popular activities are the Bear Cruise and the Mr. Lisbon Bear Pride competition. Lisbon Bear Pride has been growing steadily in popularity and now boasts a large international contingent. The week-long event with an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere is another way to experience Pride in Lisbon.
Best Lisbon Neighborhoods For Experiencing Pride
While it’s fair to say that you can experience Pride all over Lisbon, some of the most exciting spots for Pride fun are in the vibrant neighborhoods catering to the LGBTQ+ community. During Pride, there are plenty of late-night parties and specially themed events at clubs and pop-ups that are popular with locals and visitors alike.
Principe Real
The Principe Real neighborhood is a beautiful area with gorgeous architecture, global cuisine, trendy shops, and an excellent weekly market selling locally made products including food, apparel, and handcrafted items. Especially vibrant on weekends and during Pride, the streets are filled with people ready to party. Many bars and clubs offer great drinks and a welcoming atmosphere. Some of the local favorites include Shelter Bar, Bar TR3S, Finalmente Club, Posh Club Lisbon, Construction Lisbon, and Trumps.
Bairro Alto
Bairro Alto is another LGBTQ+ neighborhood in Lisbon, as well as a picturesque area full of history. Originally the “Bohemian” quarter full of artists, writers, and other creative types, Bairro Alto has developed into one of the most exciting nightlife areas in the city. Bar-hopping on the weekends is a favorite pasttime, especially on the weekends when the narrow cobblestone streets burst with people in a party mood. Its colorful buildings, delicious restaurants, lively atmosphere, and great music scene also make it a favorite for those celebrating Pride. Some popular spots are Bar Portas Largas, Purex Clube, Maria Caxuxa, and Friends Bairro Alto.
Circuit Parties
When it comes to Pride, music, dancing, and live performances pop up in exciting hotspots around the city. The details may change from time to time, but the party vibe is always the same. Great music, fantastic DJs, sexy dancers, and a fabulous party vibe — often around the Principe Real district — these parties are presented by professional planners that pay attention to all the details and produce incredible, top-quality stage shows.
Enjoy Party Lisbon
One of Lisbon’s most prominent promoters, Enjoy Party events include live performances, go-go dancers, and celebrated international guest DJs. Each party makes use of the most exciting venues and provides opportunities for VIP tickets that can take you backstage and offer a table to get up close and personal with the DJ booth and go-go dancers.
Together Party Lisbon
Together Party brings some of the biggest circuit parties from around the globe to the Portuguese capital. Selecting awesome venues with space for plenty of guests, the parties are known for their high-quality lighting, sound systems, and fantastic DJs. The party usually starts late in the evening and lasts until morning.
Bonus Pride: Queer Lisboa International Film Festival
Lisbon gets its Pride on all year round. One of the best-loved events is Queer Lisboa – an International Film Festival that happens in the fall. Dedicated entirely to showing LGBTQ+ themed films (Queer Cinema), Queer Lisboa began in 1997 and is the longest-running film festival in Lisbon. Features, documentaries, shorts, and more also compete for awards and prizes.
The vibrant events and activities surrounding Pride in Lisbon offer a range of exciting experiences for visitors while the beautiful beaches, stunning architecture, friendly people, and phenomenal cuisine make a wonderful landscape for experiencing the best of Pride in Lisbon.
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