Gay Pride is one of the most popular festivals in the city of Madrid and one of the most eagerly anticipated. It’s being held from 28 June to 7 July and this year will be celebrating elderly LGBTI people and LGBTI history. If you want to enjoy it to the full, don’t miss this guide.
Stonewall 50th Anniversary – 28 June
In the early hours of 28 June 1969, a series of spontaneous protests against a police raid took place at a pub in Stonewall (United States). These events marked the beginning of the struggle against a system that didn’t recognize LGBTI rights. This year, the events are commemorated on the first day of this great festival.
Opening Speech – 3 July
Mónica Naranjo, a prestigious singer and LGBTI icon, will make the opening speech this year. It will take place in the central square of Pedro Zerolo and will be a speech written by the artist herself with the aim of “taking a step forward, because today more than ever just holding our ground is not enough.”
High Heels Race – 4 July
Taking place in Pelayo Street, this is one of the most entertaining activities and celebrates its twelfth year in 2019. What do you have to do? Run to the finish line wearing platform heels which might be up to 25cm high. You can wear sports kit or a skirt, but you should reach the finish looking as attractive as possible. To achieve this, you’ll find two aid posts along the route. In one of these you’ll be given a dress while in the second you’ll be given a lipstick.
Parade – 6 July
At 17:30 the major Gay Pride event will begin. The parade will take place on one of Madrid’s main roads, from Atocha to Colón. Leading the parade will be representatives from the organising bodies and collaborating institutions. Behind them will be FELGTB (National Federation of Lesbians, Gays, Transsexuals and Bisexuals) associations and other lesbian, gay, transgender and bisexual collectives, as well as non-LGTB social entities and organisations. This activist part of the parade will be followed by the more festive and popular. Enjoy the music of the floats and celebrate this ode to diversity with all participants
Other activities
Also taking place over this period will be Mr Gay Pride Spain, the most important National Gay Beauty Contest in Spain. You can also enjoy the concerts which are organised every year. This year, these will include Eleni Foureira, the Cypriot singer who came to fame after appearing on the Eurovision song contest and who returns to Pride after her success last year.
If you want to enjoy every last minute of these festivities but get as much sleep as possible after a long day of celebration, our hotel is perfect and is also in the heart of the city of Madrid. Discover the offers we’ve prepared for you.
