PHOTOS: Europe’s 11 Best Prides for Summer 2013

06aSummer’s nearly here, which of course means that Pride season is about to return with a bang.

But if you think Prides are pretty much the same everywhere, maybe it’s time to check out one (or more) these European versions, where national differences – and all those gorgeous old buildings as backdrops – add some truly unique flavors to the celebrations.

To jump start you in your travel planning, we’ve picked out the top Prides happening on the European continent this summer. And to give you a taste of what you’re in store for once you get there, we’ve gathered a bunch of hot Europics from previous years’ events.

So enjoy the view. And Happy Pride.

Click through for a veritable smorgasbord of photos from Europe’s top Pride events.

Don’t forget to enter the GayCities Pride Photo Challenge to win a Greek isle cruise.

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Rome
June 15
Italy may be lagging a bit behind the rest of Western Europe in terms of gay rights, but Rome snagged Lady Gaga as a headliner when it hosted World Pride in 2011. This year, Saturday’s Pride parade kicks off at 3pm on Piazza della Repubblica.

rome2 rome3 rome5Photos by usadifranci, NO VAT Facciamo Breccia, carlo busi, Mattia Belletti

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Berlin
June 15-22
The only city in the world with two concurrent Prides, Berlin’s main CSD (for Christopher Street Day) parade winds through the city before ending at the iconic Brandenburg Gate. Meanwhile the (intentionally) more ragtag and non-commercial Transgenialer CSD wends queerly through through the cool Kreuzberg ‘hood and dumps out onto Oranienstrasse.

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Photos by Dan Allen

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Barcelona
June 20-30
A late comer to the Pride bandwagon, Barcelona’s first event was in 2009 – but it’s quickly made up for lost time with a great event, this year themed “Kiss Proudly.”

barcelona2 barcelona3Photos by Dan Allen

Pride London Parade, July 2011

London
June 23-29
After logistically stumbling a bit while hosting World Pride last year, London is back on track with a full week of Pride-related events, to be kicked off by none other than Martina Navratilova. The parade, scheduled for 1 to 4pm on Saturday the 29th, will head down Oxford Street and past Trafalgar Square before ending at Whitehall.

london2 Pride London Parade, July 2011Photos by Nicky Rowbottom & Simon Rowe

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Paris
June 29
Paris’ huge Pride parade draws some 650,000 spectators every year. It kicks off this year at 1:30pm on Place du 18 Juin 1940. There’s more to celebrate than ever with the passage of marriage equality.

paris2 paris3Photos by Marcus Povey & Sébastien Bertrand

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Madrid
July 3- 7
Madrid hosts what’s not just the biggest Pride in Spain, but in all of Europe, with some 2 million people (including a great many straight folks) attending Saturday’s main event.

madrid2 madrid3jpgPhotos by Dan Allen

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EuroPride
July 10-20
France’s second city of Marseille is shining this year as both a European Capital of Culture and the host of this year’s EuroPride. Expect a stellar lineup of parties and performers, including Rossy de Palma and Boy George.

europride2 europride3Photos by Jon Åslund, usadifranci, pink_daisy

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Amsterdam
July 27-August 4
The Pride with floats that really float, Amsterdam‘s highlight – extremely popular with local gays and straights alike – is the Saturday Canal Parade. Some 300 other Pride-related parties and cultural events are also slated for the weekend.

14 15aPhotos by Dan Allen

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Stockholm
July 30-August 3
Scandinavia’s biggest Pride returns to gayrific Stockholm, with the usual half a million spectators expected for Saturday’s parade. This year’s theme, Go West, urges Russian LGBT people to participate in a country where they and Pride are respected.

stockholm2 stockholm3Photos by Dan Allen & Jon Åslund

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Prague
August 12-18
After its first two very successful incarnations, Prague Pride returns for another year of cutting-edge events, capped off by its popular Saturday parade through the city.

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Photos by Dan Allen

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Manchester
August 23-26
While its main events happen over what’s called the Big Weekend in the city’s renowned Gay Village, Manchester‘s Pride also includes the excellent Pride Fringe Festival, featuring more than 40 performances, exhibits, and events over several weeks.

04 15Photos by Dan Allen

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