Madrid Pride: Spain's Colourful LGBTQI+ Festival

Every June, Madrileños get ready to celebrate Orgullo Madrid (MADO) – unfurling the bunting, unpacking their brightest clothes and swathing the streets of the Chueca district in rainbow-coloured murals. During Madrid Pride, up to 2 million visitors from across the world flock into Madrid to join local LGBTQI+ residents, their families and friends in celebrating the sheer diversity and inclusion of the Spanish capital city. The celebrations kick off around June 28 (International Pride Day), with the electric energy and fun building up to Madrid Pride Parade up to the afternoon of the first Saturday in July. And while all is bright, shiny and glittery on the surface, the week’s festivities are also an homage to political activism and multiculturalism; the mantra of Orgullo Gay de Madrid is:

After General Franco’s dictatorship ended in 1975 and Spain transitioned to a monarchy, the country began to look towards the future and gay liberation became part of the political agenda. On June 28, 1978, around 7,000 people took to the streets of Madrid for the city’s first LGBTQI+ demonstration in memory of New York’s Stonewall riots on the same date in 1969. From those small beginnings, Madrid Pride grew into one of the biggest – and possibly the most flamboyant – urban events in Europe.

During the 1980s, the LGBTQI+ community made the run-down, city-centre district of Chueca their own domain, transforming it from a depressed area to one alive with gay-owned bars, clubs and shops, and known for its tolerance and diversity. It was here that the first gay rights demonstrations were held later in the same decade, and here where the seeds of today’s Madrid Pride celebrations were sown. In 1997, floats participated in proceedings for the first time, bringing together political demonstration and wild festivities. MADO as we know it today was born, and currently shows no signs of slowing down. Landmarks along its journey include the legalisation of gay marriage in 2005 (Spain is proud of being the third country in the world to recognise homosexual rights to marry), 2.5 million people marching at EuroPride in 2007, and millions more processing through the streets at WorldPride Madrid a decade later.

Here are the main events of this week-long celebration.

• Chueca Pride: Orgullo de Barrio kicks off with events and activities in venues around Chueca.
• Feathers & Paws: A celebration of pets and movement against animal abuse held in Plaza de Pedro Zerolo.
• Pride Proclamation: The beginning of the official Pride celebrations, again in Plaza de Pedro Zerolo.
• Concerts: Stages are set up in squares across the city. Concerts and parties are all free.
• Carrera de Tacones (High Heel Race): A good-natured sporting affair where participants abandon their trainers for sky-high heels and run the length of Calle Pelayo.
• Mr Gay Spain: The final of this pageant is held in Plaza de España, along with international DJ sets and live music from big-name stars.
• The Pride Parade: The week’s exuberant highlight of Madrid Pride events sees the city centre come to a standstill as the vibrant parade dances, sings and shimmies its way from Carlos V roundabout at 7pm to Plaza de Colón. Vast themed floats, party buses and thousands of walkers turn the streets into a sea of rainbows. Parties carry on until very late at night.
• The Closing Ceremony: It’s curtains down on the final event of Madrid Pride, with a final concert in Plaza de España.

While many activities take place in Chueca (and its metro station is always painted in rainbow colours), the whole city joins in with Pride. Expect street parties until dawn and themed after-dark events in bars and clubs. Museums and galleries join in with related exhibitions, and there are several free concerts around the city, usually starring artists from the LGBTQI+ scene – think Conchita Wurst or Kylie Minogue. Of course, there is a serious side to all the gentle mayhem too, at conferences discussing human rights, promoting equality and raising awareness of LGBTQI+ issues.

Other gay areas to explore include hipster Malasaña, known for its alternative vibe and with bars and clubs that appeal to a diverse crowd. The lively nightlife of Barrio de La Latina also has a large LGBTQI+ presence, and is popular with foreign visitors looking for inclusive fun. Other districts including Salamanca, Moncloa and Chamberí also hold gay-friendly events, running from fetish and dance parties to Madrid Pride pool parties.

The five squares listed below play a pivotal role in MADO and the week-long run-up to the Pride Parade, when you can catch anything from free open-air concerts to cultural happenings.

Drag performances, rowdy street parties and the speech that kick-starts the festival all take place here.

A mixed bag of concerts from South American stars, DJ sets and ballet performances.

DJs and free concerts throughout the festival.

Primarily a welcoming space for LTB+ women, with concerts, workshops and debates from an all-female cast.

Hosts the final street party at the end of the week's festivities.

Follow these tips for your comfort and safety and you’ll love your time at MADO.

1. Public transport stays open until 2:30am most nights, but pretty much everywhere in central Madrid is eminently walkable.
2. Plan the night-time route back to your hotel, and remember to drink responsibly.
3. If you use the metro, take lines 1, 2 or 3 to Puerta del Sol, or line 5 for Chueca.
4. Hot, sunny weather is almost guaranteed in June/July, so take lots of water and stay on top of your hydration.
5. Keep travel documents, money and credit cards at your accommodation, and only take what you need for the day.
6. Paint your face, wear bright colours and wave that rainbow flag!

Of course, Madrid’s not just about MADO. Here are the best year-round LGBTQI+ venues.

A welcoming gay bar with a diverse, unpretentious crowd grooving to retro pop. Bring out the sparkles and glitter for Eurovision night!

• Calle de San Bartolomé 8, 28004 Madrid
• Open Thur 9pm–3am, Fri–Sat 8pm–3:30am
• Metro line 5 to Chueca

An iconic lesbian bar hosting cultural activities by day and morphing into themed party time after dark, with live music and dancing until early doors.

• Calle Cabeza 33, 28012 Madrid
• Open Thur midnight–5:30am, Fri–Sat midnight–6am, Sun 7pm–midnight
• Metro line 1 to Antón Martín

LGBTQI+ bookshop also selling e-books, magazines, DVDs and erotica. There’s a cosy upstairs café that holds regular gay-themed cultural events.

• Calle Hortaleza 62, 28004 Madrid
• Open Mon–Fri 10am–9pm; Sat 11:30am–9pm; Sun 12pm–2pm, 5pm–8pm
• Metro line 5 to Chueca

Although the whole city gets involved in Madrid Pride, you’ll want to be within walking distance of all the main activities while also staying in accommodation where inclusivity and openness are not only valued, but celebrated. Much of the queer action is around Chueca, so book a budget stay nearby and put the money you’ve saved towards having your best time at Pride events. Other central options include Mercure Madrid Centro, in a quiet area with air-conditioned guest rooms, and ibis Madrid Calle Alcalá, right next to a metro stop. If you've got an early flight to catch after a late night of partying, ibis Madrid Aeropuerto Barajas is a great choice. However, be warned! Hotel rooms sell out really early so it’s best to plan your Madrid accommodation ahead of time.

Madrid’s not the only city gearing up for Pride in June. There are events all across Europe, including in the UK, Berlin, Paris and Amsterdam too. See you there!