Belgrade Pride Review

Belgrade Pride isn’t just a one-day march, it’s a week-long program running from Monday to Sunday. Throughout the week, there are panel discussions, workshops, film screenings, and cultural events. I found most of these to be targeted more towards the local audience, often in Serbian and focused on regional LGBTQ+ issues.

As a visitor, it makes sense to plan your trip around the weekend from Friday to Sunday, when the biggest events take place. The weekend includes the main parties and, of course, the Pride march itself easy for tourists to join and experience without any issues.

Safety at Belgrade Pride and First Impressions

Attending Belgrade Pride is an experience full of mixed feelings. Knowing Serbia’s conservative stance on LGBTQ+ rights, and having read about past incidents, I wasn’t sure whether to fully join or just observe from the sidelines.

The sight of hundreds of police officers blocking off the inner city felt intimidating at first. I even heard American tourists say, “Something bad is about to happen.” But it was only preparation and thanks to the strong police presence, the event was safe from start to finish.

The Parade

To join, you pass through police checkpoints and enter Manjež Park after another bag check. The park is fenced and serves as the gathering point, with a stage and stalls. The opening speech started around 5:30 pm, and about 20 minutes later, the crowd moved together to the street to start the parade. For the whole route, check the Belgrade Pride Page.

Unlike in other cities, the leading truck wasn’t blasting music. Instead, it was used to shout out political demands, repeated by the crowd and emphasized with whistles.

The atmosphere was serious, determined, and focused on protest rather than party. To my surprise, many locals stood at their windows, waving or even applauding, including older women, some wearing rainbow shirts. This small but visible support gave the parade an uplifting touch.

A Powerful Moment of Silence

In the middle of the march, the crowd observed 16 minutes of silence, remembering the 16 people who had died the year before when a train station roof collapsed. Standing in the middle of Belgrade in complete silence with thousands of others was both surreal and incredibly powerful.

The march lasted about 1.5 hours. There were no counter-demonstrations, and the heavy police presence ensured it felt safe throughout.

Pride After-Parties in Belgrade

While the march itself is protest-focused, Belgrade knows how to party afterwards. The legendary Drugstore Club hosted official after parties on Friday and Saturday of Pride weekend. These events are an absolute must if you want to experience Belgrade’s vibrant underground nightlife. Check my party recommendations also on the Belgrade Pride Page.

Final Thoughts

Belgrade Pride 2025 wasn’t about glitter and floats, but about visibility, protest, and resilience. It reminded me of the roots of Pride and why it still matters today. For anyone who wants to experience Pride in its raw, authentic form, Belgrade is one of the most meaningful places to do it. And if you’re a visitor, simply plan to come from Friday to Sunday: You’ll get the best mix of protest, culture, and nightlife. If you got interested, check the Calender to make sure to not miss out on next year’s event.