28 Fabulous Ways London Is Celebrating Pride Month
Julie Freeman - Staff Writer
The Pride in London Parade may have been moved to September, but that sure won’t stop our capital from celebrating now.
Though we think it should be #PrideMonth all year, it’s still always fun to see the city light up and celebrate loud and proud during the month of June. Due to the lockdown restrictions still in place this month, the official Pride in London Parade has been postponed to the weekend of September 11 & 12, and we hope it will resemble the lively pre-pandemic parades in some way. But until September rolls around and all restrictions have been lifted, we can (and should) still celebrate all things LGBTQ+, just in a smaller capacity than we would like. Here are some of the fun and creative ways London is joining in on the Pride Month celebrations, and you can, too:
1. Pride has taken over Canary Wharf
Canary Wharf is celebrating Pride with rainbow walkways, murals, kaleidoscopic window designs, drag shows, and more.
2. Watch a live show at London’s LGBTQ+ theatre
‘Contact’ tells stories of division and unity, and you can find tickets for various dates at Above The Stag Theatre & Bar in Vauxhall here.
3. Connect with likeminded people during a virtual guided 1:1 conversation
Discuss personal topics such as identity struggle and hope with a likeminded person via video call, while strengthening your connection with guided mindfulness practices. Find more info here.
4. Celebrate Pride Month With This LGBTQ+ Musical-Inspired Candlelight Concert
On June 29, sing along to the best songs of Broadway and the West End at this fabulous socially-distanced Pride candlelight concert, playing your favourite tunes from Hairspray, Kinky Boots, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, and more. Find your tickets here.
5. Try to spot the awesome new pronoun backpacks carried by Deliveroo drivers
The very people we can thank for delivering some of the city’s best foods are celebrating Pride Month with special edition delivery backpacks, raising awareness to the importance of pronouns and LGBTQQIAAP (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual, Allies and Pansexual) rights. Have you seen any of them out and about this month?
6. Get brunchin’ at Dalston Superstore with Just May
Vegan brunch, bloody mary’s and drag fun, what more could you want from a Sunday? Find more info here.
7. Take in these lovely visual reminders on Tottenham Court Road
Love is love, it’s as simple as that!
8. Party for four whole hours at this Gaga-themed bottomless brunch featuring drag queens
Enjoy a two-course brunch, 90 minutes of bottomless bubbles, a live Gaga & Drag-themed show, plus a smashing DJ after party at Bar Salsa! Temple. Get your tickets for Saturday, June 26, here.
9. Raise a glass to Pride at one of these LGBTQ+ bars and pubs
10. Or dance through the night at London’s best gay night clubs
11. Discover London’s many rainbow flags on display 🏳️🌈
The open-air art exhibition ‘Sculpture in the City‘ has taken over Leadenhall Market, displaying a row of 30 unique flags from the LGBTQ+ community.
12. Like these inside The Cheesegrater
13. And this monumental crossing at the London Transport Museum
London’s first ever rainbow crossing was commissioned by TfL’s LGBTQ+ staff group OUTbound for London Pride in 2014, and can now be found at the London Transport Museum.
14. On the streets of Camden
Unlike the last crossing which ended up in a museum, some have become a permanent fixture on our roads. This colourful one in Camden may not be London’s first permanent rainbow crossing (which can be found in Herne Hill), but it matches the vibrant street perfectly. We’re glad it’s here to stay!
15. More rainbow staircases at The O2!
16. Let’s not forget the food — Pride cupcakes!
You can find these delicious vegan rainbow cupcakes at Arapina Bakery in Greenwich, who focus on inventive Mediterranean-inspired bakes.
17. Get your hands on these delicious Pride-themed doughnuts
These ‘Over The Rainbow’ and ‘YAAS QUEEN’ doughnuts are available at Doughnut Time, and 10% of sales from the doughnut 6-packs go to MindOut, a mental health charity for the LGBTQ+ community.
18. Sing and laugh with the Queens of Cabaret at The Royal Vauxhall Tavern
The sensational Lola Lasagne and Holestar are taking to the RVT stage, promising the audience big songs and even bigger laughs during a special Sunday Social session featuring music from DJ legend Simon Le Vans. Find your tickets for Sunday, June 27, here.
19. Marvel at a rainbow-coloured London Eye
The London Eye lit up the city skyline with bright rainbow colours to kick off Pride Month on June 1.
20. Thank the weather gods for blessing us with a fair share of actual rainbows
If the rain leaves us with a few of these beauties, we’ll take it!
21. Find all of London’s pretty Pride-themed flower displays
22. Explore our city’s most iconic LGBTQ+ landmarks with this game
This city exploration game takey you and a pal on a tour of London’s most iconic LGBTQ+ landmarks, including Trafalgar Square, Covent Garden Piazza, and Piccadilly. Discover the LGBTQ history of the Royal Family and more cool facts, and get your tickets here!
23. Check out these adorable pups enjoying a random rainbow sculpture at Soho Square
24. Discover this creative street art in Covent Garden
You can find these colourful sidewalk poles on Floral Street in Covent Garden!
25. Find more rainbows on the road to brighten up your walks
26. Walk through the immersive rainbow tunnel at St Pancras Station
27. Check out the UK’s first transgender flag crossing in Sutton
The UK’s first transgender flag pedestrian crossing was installed in south London back in May, to mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (May 17).
28. And finally, take this empowering street art at Portobello Road Market as a reminder of what Pride is all about ❤️💛💚💙💜
Happy Pride Month, London!