Pride Month might be behind us, but in Stockholm, the rainbow shenanigans are just getting started. From 29 July to 3 August, the Swedish capital will once again roll out the welcome mat for Stockholm Pride 2025 – a week of celebration, protest, and pure queer joy in one of the world’s most LGBTQ+ embracing cities.
This year’s edition marks the final hurrah for Pride Park at Östermalms IP, the beloved venue that’s been at the heart of the festivities for years. Expect a send-off worthy of the moment, complete with headlining acts, community events, and the kind of euphoric energy that only Stockholm in summer can deliver. If you’re joining us this year, here’s what to expect.
Stockholm Pride 2025 Main Events
There’s a lot to look forward to during Stockholm Pride 2025 – and we mean a lot. The centrepiece of the week is, of course, the Stockholm Pride Parade (the biggest in Scandinavia), which will take place on the Saturday. Expected to welcome over 60,000 participants this year, the 4.5km procession will wind through the heart of the city led by dancers, drag queens, dykes on bikes, and thousands of LGBTQ+ locals, visitors, and allies marching for love and liberation, before culminating at Pride Park.
Pride Park runs from 30 July to 2 August, with each evening offering something different — live music, late-night dancing, talks, food trucks, and the much-loved Kinky Quarter for those who like their Pride with a little bit of edge. This year’s headliner is none other than 90s pop group A*Teens, reuniting for their first Swedish gig in over 20 years!
For those seeking something more reflective, Pride House offers a daily programme of talks, workshops and exhibitions from 29 July to 1 August at Clarion Hotel Sign. From activist panels to youth-focused meetups and art installations, this is where the political heart of Stockholm Pride beats loudest – a vital reminder that Pride is more than just a party.
Out and about
During Pride Week, the energy spills far beyond the parade route. Stockholm doesn’t just host Pride, it lives it, with clubs, cafés, museums and royal landmarks all getting in on the action.
Queer nightlife runs every night of the week, with Backdoor (AKA the “best gay club north of Berlin”) leading the charge with four nights of parties, each promising a different flavour of fun, from high-octane house to drag takeovers. Over at Moxy, Sweden’s biggest lesbian club night is taking over Friday with an all-women DJ line-up including DJ Fride, Fanny Arnesson and DJ Austinat. If you’re after something with a looser, more eclectic feel, The Blue Oyster will be buzzing too – a go-to for those who are seeking a more ‘neighbourhood bar’ vibe.
For something more relaxed, there’s always Mälarpaviljongen, the queer-owned floating bar and garden café where people come for an Aperol and end up staying for the DJ sets and spontaneous dance breaks. It’s reliably packed during Pride, and for good reason – sun, waterfront views, and a guaranteed good time.
If your plans call for something slower, head to the green parks of Djurgården, where locals and visitors alike stretch out with picnic blankets, or visit ABBA The Museum, which – let’s be honest – is basically Pride in museum form. Even the Royal Palace is joining in, with guided tours highlighting LGBTQ+ themes in royal history, offering a rare peek behind the curtain of Stockholm’s regal past.
Where to stay
With so much happening across the city, choosing the right base can make all the difference, and luckily, Stockholm has no shortage of stylish, Pride-ready stays that know exactly how to welcome LGBTQ+ travellers.
For those who want to stay close to the action, Hotel Kung Carl is hard to beat. Located just off Stureplan, this stunning boutique property brings a sense of occasion to every stay, with elegantly designed interiors, a resident DJ, and a rooftop balcony with direct bird’s-eye views of the parade that will leave you in awe.
If you’re craving a more restorative retreat, consider staying at Villa Dagmar. Just a 20-minute walk (15 in gay speed) from Pride Park, this elegant hotel is home to the Dagmar Spirit & Retreat spa and a trifecta of eateries – Dagges, The Garden, and Salon – perfect for fuelling up or winding down, depending on where your Stockholm Pride 2025 schedule takes you. It’s the ultimate recharge spot after a night of dancing (or before the next one begins).
Check out the full event program and grab your tickets for Pride Park on the official Stockholm Pride website.