Not all queer events and festivals hit the same – and that’s okay. Some are a fun night out, some fade into the group chat archive, and some stay with you long after the flight home. We’ve all shown up excited, hoping for that feeling – connection, chaos, joy – and sometimes it lands, sometimes it doesn’t.
If you’re going to spend your money, energy and limited annual leave, it should be for events that genuinely deliver – culturally, socially, spiritually, and on the dancefloor.
Which is where we come in. We’ve searched high and low (and attended more than a few ourselves) to bring you this list. From desert dance floors to alpine pride, here are 26 queer events worth travelling further for, in no particular order.
1. The Dinah – Palm Springs, USA
If you’re a long-term reader of Nonchalant, then you’ll know that we’ve been a media partner of The Dinah many times because we love it. The Dinah is still the world’s biggest lesbian party weekend and has even featured in The L Word. Massive pool parties that blur into nights, headline DJs, celebrity appearances, and thousands of queer women, femmes and theys all in one sun-drenched bubble.
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- When: March (Sometimes September)
- Cost: Festival passes from $350+, day event tickets $40 – $100
- Closest airport: Palm Springs or LAX
Related article: The Ultimate Guide on How to do ‘The Dinah’ in Style
2. Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras – Sydney, Australia
More than a parade. Expect weeks of parties, art, talks, club nights and one of the most joyful Pride marches on earth.
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- When: Feb – March
- Cost: Parade viewing on the street is free
- Closest airport: Sydney Airport (SYD)
3. EuroPride 2026 – Location TBC (Europe)
EuroPride moves city every year, and wherever it lands in 2026 will become Europe’s queer epicentre. Think large-scale pride events, political visibility, and a serious international crowd.
- When: Feb – March
- Cost: Parade viewing on the street is free
- Closest airport: Sydney Airport (SYD)
4. Amsterdam Pride – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam Pride is loud, political, horny and genuinely fun — with canal parades, street parties, club nights and one of the strongest dyke scenes in Europe showing up properly.
- When: Late July – early August (annual Pride; e.g., 26 July–3 August 2025, with the Canal Parade during this period)
- Cost: Watching the Canal Parade and most outdoor Pride Amsterdam events is free (some ticketed parties and private boat/party experiences cost extra)
- Closest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS)
5. Velvet Ibiza – Ibiza, Spain
A queer women’s takeover of the White Isle. Velvet Ibiza blends day parties, boat trips, beach hangs and late-night club nights – all curated specifically for queer women.
- When: 21 May – 25 May 2026 (annual spring lesbian festival in Ibiza)
- Cost: Festival passes/tickets start around €430 – €490+ (access to day & night parties; accommodation typically separate)
- Closest airport: Ibiza Airport (IBZ) (serves Ibiza and the Balearic Islands)
Related article: Velvet Ibiza: What we got up to
6. Lesbos Eressos Women’s Festival – Lesbos, Greece
A pilgrimage for queer women. Hosted in the birthplace of Sappho, this week-long festival blends beach life, workshops, nightlife and deep community energy.
- When: Early–mid September (two-week festival each year in Skala Eressos, often around 7 – 19/20 September)
- Cost: Festival wristband (gives access to most official events) is around €125 (some smaller activities or excursions may have extra charges)
- Closest airport: Mytilene International Airport (MJT) on Lesbos Island — the main airport to reach Skala Eressos (≈1.5–2 h drive from there)
7. European Snow Pride – Europe, locations vary
Europe’s biggest gay ski week and one of the most electric LGBTQ+ winter festivals on the calendar. For seven days each March, the French Alps turn into a snowy queer playground with skiing, après-ski parties, pool events, themed nights and a pride parade — plus an international crowd hitting the slopes together in one of the most beautiful mountain settings in the world.
- When: March
- Cost: Event passes + lift pass packages / accommodation vary (~€820+ depending on options)
- Closest airport: Geneva (GVA), Lyon (LYS) or Chambéry (CMF) — all within a few hours transfer
8. Copenhagen Pride & Queer Summer Events – Denmark
Copenhagen quietly hosts some of the most thoughtful, design-led and community-focused queer events in Europe, especially around Pride season.
- When: August (annual Pride Week usually early–mid August)
- Cost: Most events and the Pride Parade are free (support wristbands available for Pride Square access and to help fund the festival)
- Closest airport: Copenhagen Airport (CPH) (major international airport serving the city)
9. NYC Pride – New York City, USA
New York always delivers, but Pride in NY takes it to a whole new level. Expect major marches, grassroots dyke parties, and legendary club nights across Brooklyn and Manhattan.
- When: June (main Pride events/Parade usually the last Sunday in June, e.g., 28 June 2026)
- Cost: Parade and most official Pride events are free (ticketed parties and club events are extra)
- Closest airport: John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) / LaGuardia Airport (LGA) / Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) – all serve NYC Pride visitors (about 30–75 min to Manhattan)
10. Cape Town Pride – South Africa
One of the most important Pride events on the African continent. Cape Town Pride blends celebration with activism, visibility and community-building.
- When: February – March
- Cost: Pride parade attendance is free; some ticketed events (like Mardi Gras parties or festival shows) have a cost (often modest local rates)
- Closest airport: Cape Town International Airport (CPT)
11. Oslo Pride – Norway
Thoughtful, political and genuinely inclusive. Oslo Pride balances celebration with serious conversations, while still delivering great parties and cultural events.
- When: June
- Cost: The parade and most Oslo Pride events are free (with some optional ticketed parties or specific festival events)
- Closest airport: Oslo Airport (OSL) – Oslo Gardermoen Airport, the main international airport serving Oslo and the region
12. Tokyo Rainbow Pride & Queer Weekenders – Japan
Tokyo’s queer scene is layered, exciting and growing fast. Pride plus club nights, pop-ups and art events make this an unforgettable trip.
- When: June (Pride Month celebrations with parade & events, typically the first weekend of Pride Month)
- Cost: Parade and many Pride events/festival activities are free (some after-party or specific ticketed events may cost extra)
- Closest airport: Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) or Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) – both major international airports serving Tokyo
13. Ella Festival – Mallorca, Spain
A long-running lesbian festival set in the Balearic sun. Ella Festival mixes pool parties, beach days and late nights with a loyal international crowd.
- When: Summer (typically June)
- Cost: Festival passes from €80+
- Closest airport: Palma de Mallorca (PMI)
14. Girl Splash – Various locations (Europe)
Girl Splash is all about high-energy sapphic parties with big DJs and unapologetic dancefloor chaos.
- When: Multiple dates throughout the year
- Cost: Tickets from €20 – €50
- Closest airport: Depends on host city
15. Mighty Hoopla – London, UK
Pop-forward, camp-heavy and proudly queer. Mighty Hoopla attracts a massive LGBTQ+ crowd with big-name acts and pure party energy.
- When: June
- Cost: From £70
- Closest airport: London Heathrow (LHR)
16. Body Movements – London, UK
A queer rave for electronic music lovers. Body Movements centres queer joy, liberation and proper underground energy.
- When: August
- Cost: From £40
- Closest airport: London Heathrow (LHR)
17. Dykonic Festival – Dublin, Ireland
A brand-new queer music festival built by and for queer women, non-binary and FLINTA* communities – and, honestly, one of the most exciting additions to the queer festival calendar in years. Born from Dublin’s beloved Dykon club night and designed to take queer celebration out of the club and into the daylight, Dykonic is all about joy, music and community energy in a proper outdoor setting.
- Closest airport: Dublin Airport (DUB)
- When: August 9, 2025 (dates for 2026 TBC – likely similar late summer slot)
- Cost: Day passes typically from around €60–€100 (early bird sells fast)
18. Fiesta Rose Girls – Paris, France
A cult-favourite queer women’s party series known for packed dancefloors and strong DJ line-ups.
- When: Various dates
- Cost: Tickets from €15–€30
- Closest airport: Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG)
19. Backlot Bash – Los Angeles, USA
An annual lesbian party tied to LA Pride weekend, pulling a stacked queer women crowd.
- When: June
- Cost: Tickets from $50+
- Closest airport: Los Angeles International (LAX)
20. UK Black Pride – London, UK
One of Europe’s biggest and most important queer celebrations, UK Black Pride brings together LGBTQ+ people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent – and anyone celebrating with them – for a massive day of visibility, culture, community and joy. It’s equal parts party, protest, performance and gathering of chosen family, set in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
- When: August 2026 (exact date TBC, traditionally mid-August)
- Cost: Free to attend (donations encouraged; after-party tickets vary)
- Closest airport: London Heathrow (LHR) / London City (LCY) / Gatwick (LGW) — all easy links into London
21. Stargaze Festival – Western Massachusetts, USA
A weekend queer women, non-binary, and trans-inclusive camping festival where community, music and nature collide. Think: dance parties under the stars, lakeside chill, workshops, yoga, bonfires and brand new friends you didn’t even know you needed. This is not a club – it’s a community retreat with rave energy.
- When: August 28–30, 2026 (early check-in available)
- Cost: Festival passes ~ $225–$250 (includes camping, activities, live music & parties)
- Closest airport: Bradley International Airport (BDL, Connecticut; ~40 min drive)
22. Out & Wild Festival – UK
The UK’s largest outdoor lesbian and queer women’s festival, blending camping, comedy, music and workshops.
- When: June
- Cost: From £180 (weekend)
- Closest airport: Birmingham (BHX)
Why travel for it: Community, nature and big lesbian energy.
23. Stadtfest (Berlin Lesbian & Gay City Festival) – Berlin, Germany
One of Europe’s largest queer street festivals, with a strong lesbian presence and serious party atmosphere.
- When: July
- Cost: Free
- Closest airport: Berlin Brandenburg (BER)
24. Queer East Festival – East & Southeast Asia (Various locations)
A cultural festival spotlighting queer East and Southeast Asian art, film and performance across multiple Asian cities.
- When: Varies by location (typically spring)
- Cost: Many free or low-cost events
- Closest airport: Depends on host city
25. LICK Weekender – Crete, Greece & future destinations
A queer women- and non-binary-focused weekender – founded by Teddy Edwards. Born from London’s LICK nightlife culture – the legendary queer women party brand that’s been reshaping queer clubbing in the UK and beyond – the LICK Weekender brings hundreds of queer women together for a long weekend of sun, sea, dancing and community energy. The first edition on the Greek island of Crete drew a global crowd and delivered exactly the kind of international queer women vibe you don’t get at every event.
- When: Late spring / early summer (2025 edition was May; 2026 dates TBC)
- Cost: Weekend passes vary by destination and timing (typically early bird and general access tiers)
- Closest airport: Heraklion (HER) when in Crete (Varies for future locations)
26. Queer Ranch Festival – Skala Eressos, Lesbos, Greece
A uniquely queer women and FLINTA-forward festival set in the birthplace of Sappho, where beach parties, ranch life, workshops and electronic music collide for six days of free-spirited celebration. Queer Ranch is part dance festival, part community-gathering, part creative expression – all set against the wild Mediterranean backdrop of Lesbos.
- Closest airport: Mytilene International Airport (MJT), then a short transfer to Skala Eressos
- When: May 18–23, 2026 (dates confirmed)
- Cost: Ticket prices vary by package; early birds and full-festival passes are available
So there you have it, get your suitcase ready. And if we’ve missed any that you think deserve a spot on this list, just drop us an email, and we will have it added.
Happy queer travels,
Nonchalant x
This article was written by one of our creative team writers here at Nonchalant Magazine.
