Discover the key events happening in Nordic cities this Pride Month
While inclusivity and openness are high on the Nordic agenda all-year around, Pride Month marks an important time in the calendar to celebrate and empower all LGBTQ+ communities, creating a united movement.
Back in full force after years of pandemic constraints, this year’s Pride events are much more than just parades and parties - each program is brimming with workshops, exhibitions, lectures, debates, performances and cultural events.
Start planning your boldest and brightest outfits as we round up some of the key Scandinavian Pride festivities ahead.
Stockholm (1 - 7 August)
This year, Stockholm Pride comes with a cue: it’s time to confess colour.
For the largest Pride parade in Scandinavia, march to the Swedish capital on Saturday 6 August. But the parade is just the tip of the iceberg, with the city set to offer up a mix of parties, politics and culture to both inspire and spread knowledge. Those who wish to watch the parade go by with a drink in hand can gather at Taverna Brillo's all-day pride party. Host Jonas Andersson dubs this year's iteration of Brillo Pride as "XXXL – bigger, better and back again."
The extensive program will address concerns about the current setbacks for LGBTQ+ people, both in Sweden and wider Europe, to create a united and meaningful movement.
Photo: Getty.
Reykjavik (2 - 7 August)
Pride has been celebrated in Reykjavik since 1999, when about 1,500 guests came together in Ingolfstorg one day in June. Now, the Icelandic event has blossomed into one of the capital’s most vibrant cultural events, with the 10-day celebration drawing both local and international attendees.
Reykjavik Pride will take place in the first week of August, promoting visibility and courage, and providing an important platform for all LGBTQ+ spokespeople. Don’t miss the event’s mainstay Pride Ball or queer cruises.
Photo: Getty
Copenhagen (13 - 21 August)
‘Freedom’ is the theme when Copenhagen Pride returns this August.
Rådhuspladsen will be enveloped in lights and rainbows and fitted out with food stalls, bars, and a stage for various performances including Drag Night and Pride Night concerts.
On August 20, the Copenhagen Pride Parade will come to life, starting from Frederiksberg City Hall to Pile Allé, Frederiksberg Allé and Vesterbrogade, finishing in the Town Hall Square.
A broad cultural and human rights program will also take place in the Danish capital, will more than 50 debates and conversations set to take place in the Rainbow Tent at Regnbuepladsen, at Vartov and at Copenhagen City Hall.
Helsinki (27 June - 3 July)
The theme of ‘Encounters’ captures Helsinki’s mission for Pride 2022: to allow people to encounter each other, creating a basis to build communities.
Referred to as Finland’s biggest human rights event (over 100,000 people attended last year, Helsinki Pride spotlights the rights, inclusion and wellbeing of people belonging to sexual and gender minorities.
The packed 2022 program includes workshops, a queer book exchange, exhibitions and arts and crafts events - all culminating in the Pride Parade on Saturday 2 July which will journey from Senate Square through to Kaivopuisto Park.
Photo: Helsinki Pride
Oslo (18 - 27 June)
This year’s Pride festivities in Norway are especially significant, marking 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised across the country.
The capital will come to life with Oslo Pride, a 10-day festival described as Norway’s “largest celebration of queer love and diversity” which invites everyone to be exactly who they are. Locals and visitors alike can participate in events and parties at a range of designated locations in the city, including Pride Square on Youngstorget, the Pride Park festival arena in Spikersuppa and Pride House, a neutral space for open debate and conversation at Kulturhuset.
Gothenburg (13 - 19 June)
Throughout mid-June, Gothenburg is home to West Pride 2022: an arts and culture festival that creates a safe meeting point for LGBTQ+ people of all ages, including families with children, the elderly and everyone in between.
The week-long program includes dance and theatre performances, a city walk to discover Gothenburg’s queer history, and a series of talks at Gothenburg City Library leading up to the Pride Parade - West Pride’s biggest event - both a colourful party and an open demonstration for the rights of LGBTQ+ people.
West Pride also includes 'Ambassadors for Pride', an important initiative driving change in the asylum process for LGBTQ refugees in Sweden.