The ultimate guide to Madrid Gay Pride 2016
From a 2 million-strong parade to fiestas across the city, the Madrid Gay Pride Festival 2016 promises to be one of the best yet. The Local takes a look at the highlights.
This week, Madrid's getting ready to celebrate one of the biggest LGBTQ pride festivals in the world. From June 29th - July 3rd, rainbow flags will be waving all around the Spanish capital as the city celebrates the eleventh anniversary of gay marriage in Spain with a parade, parties, and a whole lot of pride.
Whether gay, straight, or bi, all locals and tourists are welcome to come together for one of the world's largest and most inclusive fiestas.
Music (Wednesday June 29th - Sunday July 3rd)
Photo: Juan Medina/Flickr.
Spanish and internationally famous artists will take the stage at various locations across the city this weekend: Plaza de España, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Chueca, Plaza del Rey, and Puerta del Sol. This year's highlights include artists the likes of Regina do Santos, Amistades Peligrosas, and a swing machine orchestra.
Inauguration of Plaza Pedro Zerolo (Wednesday June 29th, 8:30 pm)
Pedro Zerolo in 2011. Photo: Juanjo Zanabria Masaveu/Flickr.
This festival will kick off by inaugurating Plaza Pedro Zerolo, a plaza near Cibeles recently named after one of the biggest advocates for LGBT rights in Spanish history who passed away last year.
Stiletto Race (Thursday June 30th, 6 p.m.)
Photo: AFP
The famous race, now a classic and one of the festival's highlights every year, will probably be your one and only opportunity to see drag queens racing each other in high heels down Calle de Pelayo in Chueca.
Mr Gay Pride 2016 (Friday July 3rd, 10 pm)
Photo: mrgaypride.es
Candidates from across the country will compete for the coveted title, up for grabs at Puerta del Sol this Friday.
The Parade (Saturday July 2nd)
Photo: Jose María Mateos/Flickr.
This Saturday, an estimated two million people from all over Madrid, Spain, and the rest of the world will take to the streets of the capital for the biggest pride parade in Europe, joining floats from dozens of different associations. Starting at Atocha station, the parade will march north through the centre of Madrid down to the Plaza de Colón.
The Grand Finale and Closing Party (Sunday July 3, 10:30 pm)
Photo: Barcex/Flickr.
Plaza del Rey will be packed with performances and contests until the early hours of Monday for one last fiesta as the festival draws to a close.
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This week, Madrid's getting ready to celebrate one of the biggest LGBTQ pride festivals in the world. From June 29th - July 3rd, rainbow flags will be waving all around the Spanish capital as the city celebrates the eleventh anniversary of gay marriage in Spain with a parade, parties, and a whole lot of pride.
Whether gay, straight, or bi, all locals and tourists are welcome to come together for one of the world's largest and most inclusive fiestas.
Music (Wednesday June 29th - Sunday July 3rd)
Photo: Juan Medina/Flickr.
Spanish and internationally famous artists will take the stage at various locations across the city this weekend: Plaza de España, Puerta de Alcalá, Plaza de Chueca, Plaza del Rey, and Puerta del Sol. This year's highlights include artists the likes of Regina do Santos, Amistades Peligrosas, and a swing machine orchestra.
Inauguration of Plaza Pedro Zerolo (Wednesday June 29th, 8:30 pm)
Pedro Zerolo in 2011. Photo: Juanjo Zanabria Masaveu/Flickr.
This festival will kick off by inaugurating Plaza Pedro Zerolo, a plaza near Cibeles recently named after one of the biggest advocates for LGBT rights in Spanish history who passed away last year.
Stiletto Race (Thursday June 30th, 6 p.m.)
Photo: AFP
The famous race, now a classic and one of the festival's highlights every year, will probably be your one and only opportunity to see drag queens racing each other in high heels down Calle de Pelayo in Chueca.
Mr Gay Pride 2016 (Friday July 3rd, 10 pm)
Photo: mrgaypride.es
The Parade (Saturday July 2nd)
Photo: Jose María Mateos/Flickr.
This Saturday, an estimated two million people from all over Madrid, Spain, and the rest of the world will take to the streets of the capital for the biggest pride parade in Europe, joining floats from dozens of different associations. Starting at Atocha station, the parade will march north through the centre of Madrid down to the Plaza de Colón.
Photo: Barcex/Flickr.
Plaza del Rey will be packed with performances and contests until the early hours of Monday for one last fiesta as the festival draws to a close.
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