This summer, rainbow flags will fly in cities throughout the world to honour the LGBTQ+ community during annual Pride events. Combining activism, celebration and community, these events often include colourful parades, live music, exhibits and much more.
Our ferry routes offer a fantastic way to get to some of Europe's best Pride celebrations. Below, you’ll find every Pride festival taking place in cities we call home – or within a short drive from our ports. Sail with us into the heart of Pride Month and beyond for an experience at sea where “all aboard” truly means all are welcome.
***Every effort has been made to ensure information is correct at the time of publication. Please check directly with organisers before booking or travelling to any Pride event as details may change.***
Distance from our Fishguard terminal: 183km
Cardiff's Pride Cymru is promoting equality and diversity this year with a two-day music festival and market, and of course a much-loved Pride Parade on Saturday 17 June. Get yourself to Cardiff Castle for performances by The Feeling, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Claire (from Steps) Richards amongst many more!
Book your ferry from Rosslare to Fishguard.
Date: 24 June
Distance from our Cairnryan terminal: 202km
After a scaled-back event in 2022 due to Covid-19, Scotland’s longest running celebration of diversity, Pride Edinburgh, is back in all its glory. More details to be announced soon.
Book your ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan.
Date: 1 July
Distance from our Harwich terminal: 137km
Distance from our Liverpool terminal: 373km
Last year, Pride in London put on a spectacular show, bringing together more than 1.5 million people to celebrate across five central London stages. Event organisers are looking to build on this success in 2023, especially by building relationships with LGBT+ grassroots communities. More details to be released shortly.
Book your ferry from Hook of Holland to Harwich or Belfast to Liverpool.
Date: 15 July
Distance from our Cairnryan terminal: 130km
In 2022, Glasgow Pride hosted the biggest Pride March in Scottish history. In 2023, organisers are hoping to have even more impact, with a theme that celebrates the women of the LGBTQ+ community and movement. More details to be announced soon.
Book your ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan.
Date: 29 July
Distance from our Harwich terminal: 118km
Norwich Pride’s focus this year is on delivering an event that mixes wellbeing with lively entertainment – all to support and showcase the talents of the local LGBTQ+ community. Alongside the main parade, enjoy acoustic stages, live performances, a Makers’ Market, a Pride art exhibition, DJs, an education hub and a food and drinks area. The medieval city of Norwich is a short drive from the Stena Line terminal in Harwich, linking Europe to England’s east coast.
Book your ferry from the Hook of Holland to Harwich.
Date: 19 August
Distance from our Liverpool terminal: 30km
Distance from Holyhead terminal: 134km
Chester Pride is painting the city rainbow this year, with a fantastic parade through the city centre – make sure to look out for our Stena Line participants! Continue the party at Castle Square, where four stages will host an array of music, Runway Drag, Glitterlounge cabaret and burlesque entertainment. There’s also a full programme of family-friendly entertainment as part of the Youth Pride event.
Book your ferry from Belfast to Liverpool or from Dublin to Holyhead.
Date: 21–30 July
Distance from our Belfast terminal: 3.2km
One of the city’s biggest festivals, Belfast Pride brightens up the city with over 150 events, including the centrepiece Pride Parade on Saturday 29 July. Both a protest and a celebration, Belfast Pride is the main event in the city’s LGBTQ+ calendar and a truly cross-community event that Stena Line is proud to take part in – make sure to give us a wave! For more fun, visit the Pride Village at the Big Fish on Donegall Quay and join in the party at nearby Custom House Square.
Book your ferry from Liverpool to Belfast or Cairnryan to Belfast.
Date: 20–25 June, with events throughout the month.
Distance from our Dublin terminal: 6.6km
It is a big year for Dublin Pride Festival as it celebrates 50 years since the first LGBQT+ group was set up in Dublin, 40 years since the first protest march, and 30 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in Ireland. The city is super easy to reach from the Stena Line terminal, and you’ll soon be enjoying festival highlights such as the Dublin Pride Parade on Saturday 24 June, the Pride village at Merrion Square and the Mother Pride Bloq Party.
Book your ferry from Holyhead to Dublin.
Date: 30 July–6 August
Distance from our Rosslare terminal: 191km
Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival returns in 2023 with a programme bursting with events and activities to support the LGBT+ community. The week-long festivities will finish in an eruption of everything rainbow on Sunday 6 August, when the colourful Pride Parade takes to the streets of the city. Make the most of your travels by exploring Ireland’s stunning southern coastline while you are there.
Book your ferry from Fishguard to Rosslare or Cherbourg to Rosslare.
Date: 1–11 June
Distance from our Hoek van Holland terminal: 30km
Holland’s second-largest city is within easy reach of Stena Line’s Hook of Holland terminal. Make the trip to join in the 10th anniversary of Rotterdam Pride and you’ll discover a perfectly balanced mix of glitzy entertainment and thought-provoking discussion. From ballroom showcases, drag brunches and catwalk lessons to Pride Talks that take on topics such as queer masculinity, body image, families and connecting generations, Rotterdam Pride has it covered. A full programme of events organised by community partners will accompany the festival.
Book your ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.
Date: 1–6 August
Distance from our Hoek van Holland terminal: 82km
The fabulous Amsterdam Pride has become one of the most iconic gay events in world. Watch the floating Canal Parade from the bridges and riverbanks, join the street parties at Amstelveld, Dam square or Rembrandtplein, and take in the many arts and cultural events that complement the carnival atmosphere. From open-air cinemas, photography exhibitions and theatre performances to a Senior Pride concert that honours pink pioneers, Pride Amsterdam is a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
Book your ferry from Harwich to the Hook of Holland.
Distance from our Gothenburg terminal: 1.7km
Western Sweden’s biggest Pride event is a city-wide celebration of the LGBTQ+ community featuring the iconic parade (10 June) and Pride Park, plus concerts, competitions and exhibits at museums throughout the city. This year, West Pride coincides with Gothenburg’s 400th anniversary celebration, making our home city a prime destination for a summer full of activities.
Book your ferry from Kiel to Gothenburg or Frederikshavn to Gothenburg.
Dates: 5–8 July
Distance from our Trelleborg terminal: 33km
Located a short 30-minute drive from our Trelleborg Port, bustling Malmö’s annual Pride festival brings southwest Sweden’s Skåne region together to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. The event centres around the Pride House and includes parties, workshops and a closing day parade and party and more. Additionally, a Youth Pride festival takes place from 5-9 July.
Book your ferry from Rostock to Trelleborg.
Date: 1–8 August
Distance from our Nynäshamn terminal: 57.6km
Take a short drive from our Nynäshamn port this August and immerse yourself in Sweden’s biggest Pride celebration as Stockholm celebrates its 25th anniversary in grand style. The citywide event includes author talks, international exhibits, workshops, concerts, performances, the free Pride House and more leading up to what is sure to be a Pride parade to remember.
Book your ferry from Ventspils to Nynäshamn.
Date: 12 August
Distance from our Karlskrona terminal: 12km
A baroque maritime treasure on Sweden’s southeast coast, Karlskrona’s storied naval history has earned it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This year, the LGBTQ+ community is making its own history with the 10th annual Karlskrona Pride parade, which will march through the winding streets of this gorgeous seaside city in August.
Book your ferry from Gdynia to Karlskrona.
Date: 19–26 August
Distance from our Trelleborg terminal: 44km
Distance from our Halmstad terminal: 127km
A scenic 45-minute drive from Trelleborg and 90 minutes south of Halmstad, the medieval university town of Lund offers a fairytale backdrop during its week-long Pride celebration. Along with the city’s parade, the festival includes drag performances, concerts and much more.
Book your ferry from Rostock to Trelleborg or Grenaa to Halmstad.
Date: 24 June
Distance from our Grenaa terminal: 66km
Denmark’s second-largest city is less than an hour’s drive from our port in Grenaa, and the annual Pride parade is a great reason to get to know this beautiful and artistic city. The parade winds through the city before arriving “under the rainbow” at Musikhusparken, where the party continues with food, drinks and more.
Book your ferry from Halmstad to Grenaa.
Date: 8 July
Distance from our Kiel terminal: 500m
Kiel commemorates Christopher Street Day with its annual parade through the streets of this historic maritime city. This year, the chosen anti-discrimination slogan “STOP - Don't step back!” takes centre stage. The parade following a full week of events centred on the LGBTQ+ community, including readings, parties, karaoke nights and much, much more.
Book your ferry from Gothenburg to Kiel.
Date: 29 July – 6 August
Distance from our Kiel terminal: 97km
Distance from our Rostock Terminal: 199km
Always-energetic Hamburg is aglow during its annual Pride week, and getting there to partake in the festivities from Rostock or Kiel is incredibly easy. Once you arrive, you’ll experience a full week’s worth of activities in one of Germany’s most exciting cities. And once the Christopher Street Demonstration kicks off 5 August, more than 100,000 people are expected to take to the streets in unity to combat transphobia.
Book your ferry from Gothenburg to Kiel or Trelleborg to Rostock.
Date: 19 August
Distance from our Kiel terminal: 86km
Distance from our Rostock terminal: 131km
Germany's remarkably preserved medieval city provides a surreal historic backdrop for one of northern Germany's largest Christopher Street Day parades and demonstrations. Check back with the Lübeck Pride website for more details closer to the event.
Book your ferry from Gothenburg to Kiel or Trelleborg to Rostock.