Imagine the streets lined with queers and allies – families waving rainbow flags and a weekend-long party that celebrates our community, top it off with tens of thousands singing in unison and you’ve got a pretty spine-tingling picture of what we all want, right? Is it queer utopia? – nope – it’s Stockholm Pride.
This year 50,000 people marched, danced and partied through the Swedish capital, waved on by the 500,000-strong crowd (that’s HALF the city’s entire population)
We went along with Stockholm LGBT and Stockholm Business Region who showed us why we ALL need to put it at the very top of our travel list.
Stockholm – The Open City
Now there’s plenty of tall, blonde reasons we all want to take a trip to Sweden but there’s so much more to the LGBT+ party land.
Stockholm is known as the Open City – because it’s for everyone. Laid back and free-spirited Swedes and their overwhelming acceptance of queer culture have placed the city among the safest places for LGBT travel for years. In fact, there are no gay neighbourhoods – because in their city, everywhere is for everyone.
But QX does make a very handy map which guides visitors to queer nights and venues, available across Stockholm.
It’s YOUR parade
If you’ve ever fancied being in the parade and never been asked (rude) then THIS is the one for you. You can jump in and march with any of the more than 150 floats, and hop out again when you’re done.
There are sports teams, businesses (big up the rainbow IKEA crew) and public services from the police to the fire brigade as well as organisations supporting incredible causes like LGBT refugees.
If you ever wanted to see a perfect mix of protest and party, get that plane booked.
And, along the route, there are tonnes of incredible spots to watch from with brunch and bubbles. We recommend Kung Carl, a stunning hotel with its own resident DJ, a party atmosphere and birds-eye balcony views that will take your breath away.
Is Stockholm Pride Family-friendly?
As well as the roaring sounds from the Dykes in bikes, the blaring ABBA and the cascading water spray from the fire trucks there’s an atmosphere that makes Stockholm pride truly wholesome.
Many Swedes bring their families along to celebrate, dance and support the parade.
Waving their little flags along the route there’s children and well-dressed doggos cheering on the floats because it’s the city’s biggest event and nobody wants to miss out.
Related Article: Our Queer-Friendly Guide to Budapest
Pride Park
The parade stretches along a 4.5km route from Norr Mälarstrand, close to the city hall and ends at Östermalms IP, but the party doesn’t stop.
Pride Park sits at the end of the route, a rainbow-decked playground where the fun is just getting started. There’s food, drinks, bands and shops and of course, a silent disco.
Thousands of people end up here, bagging those pride gifts, dancing in the champagne bar and adding new friends to their crew.
Events for queer women in Stockholm
Across the city, there are plenty of events for women and dedicated club nights for the sapphics. We recommend Moxy – Sweden’s biggest lesbian club for its giant dance floor, incredible DJ’s and all-round great vibe. PLUS it’s all year round. Klubb Moxy hosts a party once a month so if you love it like we think you will, you can head back again.
Stockholm is MORE than LGBT-friendly
Around Pride, there are plenty of aesthetically pleasing brunch spots, bars and clubs that would LOVE to host you and your crew. Mälarpaviljongen is one of them and it’s stunning. In fact, Conde Nast called it one of the best restaurants in the world.
A floating pontoon set amongst a lush green garden with gorgeous views of the water, this once-small cafe has our community at its heart. It’s not only one of the coolest spots to hang out in the capital (Ibiza vibes in the city), it employs LGBT+ refugees to help them settle into Sweden and start life here. The owner describes it as an LGBT business with accepts everyone else AND house wine and beer sales contribute to the Rainbow Fund (Regnbågsfonden) which supports LGBT communities around the world.
Eat and drink (and take a dip afterwards) for a good cause – well you’ve got no reason not to. Want to know more? Visit our friends at Stockholm LGBT and Stockholm Business Region
Let us know if you check it out next year by commenting below,
Enjoy
Team Nonchalant x
