Madrid Pride
Madrid Pride or Madrid Orgullo is one of the biggest Pride celebrations in the world and the biggest event of its kind in Europe. It turns the city into a non-stop party, especially in the Chueca district, which is known for the gay bars and clubs. The event has to offer many concerts at different stages, drag performances, and a passionate crowd while sunshine is almost guaranteed.
Madrid Pride Date
Madrid Pride Parade usually takes place on the first week of July with the highlight being the parade on the first weekend of July.
When did Madrid Pride take place in 2025?
In 2025, the Pride Festival was taking place from July 2 to July 6, with the parade taking place on Saturday, July 5.
Preceding the pride march is a whole week of activities. The official kick-off begins on Wednesday evening at 20:00 with the traditional “pregón” (opening proclamation) at Plaza de Pedro Zerolo. There will be also concerts from 20:00 to 23:00 at the other stages of Puerta del Sol and Plaza del Rey.
We Pride Festival
Along with the Pride, the We Pride Festival puts up top-class events, making it one Europe’s biggest LGTBIQ+ events, with parties of the XLSIOR or PERVERT party series. On Saturday it will host the main party with 4 main areas at Fabrik Club.
When does Madrid Pride take place in 2026?
The official date is not yet confirmed, but it is likely, it will take place again in the first week of July. With the We Pride Festival parties and the offical kick-off usually starting on a Wednesday, it would be recommended to arrive by Wednesday, July 1 and stay till Sunday, July 5 to experience the parade and main party on Saurday, July 4.
Madrid Pride Route
The Pride Parade is set to start from at Glorieta del Emperador Carlos V (Atocha), in front of the Botanical Gardens and it proceeds along Paseo del Prado, passing Plaza de Cibeles and Neptuno, continuing up Paseo de Recoletos. It finishes at Plaza de Colón. Best viewing spots are Cibeles and Recoletos, offering the most vibrant and scenic views. Bring your own drinks: The parade isn’t inside a security zone, public drinking along the route is common and accepted.
Madrid Pride Starting Time
The Parade usually starts at 07:00 pm and concludes around well past midnight, transitioning everything into a big and wild street party.
Madrid Pride History
Madrid Pride was first held on June 28, 1978, when 7,000 people marched in tribute to the Stonewall riots.
The Chueca district, once run-down, became a hub of queer life in the 1980s—home to bars, clubs, and the first local gay rights demonstrations. By 1997, parade floats joined the mix, blending activism with celebration and giving birth to the MADO we know today.
Milestones include Spain legalizing same-sex marriage in 2005, hosting EuroPride in 2007 with 2.5 million marchers, and welcoming the world for WorldPride Madrid in 2017.
How many visitors to Madrid pride?
The event draws nearly 2 million attendees, It has become one of the world’s most powerful and influential marches for equality.
What is the theme of Madrid Pride this year?
The theme of 2025 is: “20 years advancing rights: Not one step back” to commemorate two decades of equal marriage in Spain.
Madrid Pride 2025 Review
Madrid Pride (Orgullo Madrid) isn’t just one the biggest LGBT celebration in Europe, it’s a huge party taking over the whole city for a couple of days. If you’re thinking about going, or just want to relive this year’s festivities, here’s everything you need to know.
Pride Hotspots: Chueca and Gran Vía
The heart of Pride week is Chueca, Madrid’s most famous gay neighborhood. It’s a buzzing hub of LGBTQ+ life all year round, but during Pride, it transforms into something even more powerful. Chueca Metro Station is surrounded by iconic gay bars and widely covered with rainbow flags.
If you’re planning your trip for next year, the best place to stay is somewhere between Chueca and Gran Vía. Not only are you in the middle of all the action, but you’re also steps away from multiple stages and major Pride events.
Four Stages, One Nonstop Street Festival
Madrid Pride hosts four main stages spread across central Madrid. Here’s a breakdown:
- Plaza del Rey
- Plaza de Pedro Zerolo
- Puerta del Sol
- Plaza de España
The first two stages (Plaza del Rey and Plaza de Pedro Zerolo) are located in the same security zone, which means once you’re in, you can move freely between them. These stages kick off their line-ups every evening around 8 PM during Pride Week. Even though it’s technically early by Madrid standards, the plazas are already filling up by then. Expect to find crowds chilling in the sun, dancing, and soaking up the early performances.
Security Note: To enter the stage zones, you’ll pass through bag checks. You can bring drinks, but bottles must be opened, and refillable bottles aren’t allowed. People may bring cans or plastic bottles with the lids removed.
Further south, the Puerta del Sol stage is larger and more centrally located, with higher-profile performances. But the biggest stage of them all is at Plaza de España. Be warned: by 11 PM, the crowds are intense and getting in can take time due to the sheer volume of people and the security perimeters, which have limited entry points. Sometimes you’ll need to take longer routes to access certain areas.
The Parade: A Massive March Through Madrid
The main Pride parade takes place on Saturday evening, officially starting around 7 PM near Atocha Station and marching all the way to Plaza de Colón. But this is Spain, time is flexible. If you arrive at 8:30 PM, like we did near Recoletos, you’ll still catch the early wave of walking groups.
These groups include community organizations, performers, and drum troupes that create a vibrant, rhythmic lead-up to the floats. The parade keeps going well into the night. It wasn’t until around 11 PM that we saw the first trucks roll through Cibeles, complete with booming speakers, DJs, and wild crowds dancing in the streets.
Cibeles is a great spot to watch the parade, it’s scenic and iconic. The fountain was lit up in rainbow colors, and the backdrop of Madrid’s Palacio de Cibeles (also bathed in Pride lighting) added a dramatic flair.
And here’s the beauty of it: there are no security zones for the parade route. That means you can bring your own drinks and most people do. Groups come prepared with massive shopping bags full of mixers, canned drinks, even ice and coolers. Some even prep their own cocktails. It’s self-sufficient, and totally acceptable.
Expect to dance, cheer, and party long after midnight. The final floats are still cruising through when other cities might be asleep.
One thing that sets Madrid Pride apart from many other Pride events I’ve experienced is the separation between the parade and the public. For security reasons, the entire march route is lined with barricades, meaning spectators cannot join the parade spontaneously from the sidelines. While this makes sense for crowd control and safety, it also creates a more passive experience. Unlike other prides where you can jump in and march alongside the floats, here you’re firmly a spectator, not a participant. It’s still thrilling, but it slightly shifts the vibe from community march to large-scale spectacle.
Final Tips for Future Madrid Pride-Goers
Arrive early for the stages if you want a good spot. At 8 PM is already busy.
Be ready for heat and crowds: Hydration, sunscreen, and comfy shoes are essential.
Plan your routes: security zones mean you might have to walk around to get in.
For the parade, bring your own drinks and plan to stay a while.
Stay central: Anywhere between Chueca and Gran Vía is perfect.
Let loose: Madrid Pride is wild, loud, political, and unforgettable.
Madrid Pride is more than a party. It’s a full-spectrum celebration of visibility, love, and community. Whether you’re dancing in the streets, watching performances with thousands of strangers who feel like friends, or marching for equality, you’ll leave with memories that stick.