Wave those rainbow flags up high — Pride Month is in full swing across the capital, with a diverse spectrum of events celebrating LGBT+ history and identity. This year's theme is Jubilee, and marks the 50th anniversary of New York's Stonewall riots.
As usual, the festivities culminate with the Pride in London parade, which this year takes place on Saturday 6 July. But before we get into all that, let's have a look at some of this year's highlights, shall we?
V&A LGBTQ Tour
For the fourth year running, the world's leading art and design museum is running free guided tours dedicated to LGBTQ identity. Explore gender and sexuality through a selection of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer-related objects in the museum's collection.
Victoria & Albert Museum (South Kensington), free, just turn up, 4pm-5pm, 8 June/29 June
Pride's Got Talent
An utterly fabulous group of finalists battle it out to be crowned the winner of Pride's Got Talent 2019 at the Apollo — and you're invited to watch. The competition has two strands: one for cabaret, and another for musical acts. Whichever you opt for, it's a brilliant chance to discover rising stars from the LGBT+ community, and get a sneak preview of the parade day entertainment (each winner will nab a spot on the Trafalgar Square Stage.
Apollo Theatre (Shaftesbury Avenue), from £11.50, book ahead, 6.30pm-10.30pm, 9 June (music)/16 June (cabaret)
Pride Jubilee
Former Attitude Magazine editor and Stonewall employee Matthew Todd chats about the fight for equality, his career and his new book, which charts half a century of LGBT+ activism in his talk, Pride Jubilee: From the Stonewall Uprising to the Present.
The Pilot (Chiswick), from £8, book ahead, 8pm-9pm, 11 June
Rebel Dyke Live
Karen Fisch, AKA drag king Frankie Sinatra, shows off lesbian London in a whole new light in a one-woman jukebox musical that traces 40 years of pride.
The Two Brewers (Clapham), from £6, book ahead, 7pm-9.30pm, 27 June
Stonewall Warriors
Travel through centuries of LGBT+ history at this musical and dramatic celebration, featuring The Fourth Choir, London’s LGBT+ classical-to-jazz chamber choir. After the performance, over-18s are invited to party the night away at G-A-Y.
Heaven (Soho), from £10, book ahead, 7pm-10.30pm, 28 June
Browse all Pride in London events here.
Pride in London Parade 2019
When is the Pride in London parade 2019?
Saturday 6 July at 12pm, until around 5.30pm.
Where is it?
The parade begins at Portland Place, moves down Oxford Circus, along Regent Street to Piccadilly Circus, Lower Regent Street, Pall Mall and then passing Trafalgar Square before finishing on Whitehall.
What's it all about?
Celebrating the LGBT+ community, of course! The organisers promise that this year's parade will be the biggest and most diverse yet, with over 300 groups and floats marching through central London. Only registered groups can march, but everyone is welcome to watch for free.
Where should I watch?
If you're after a prime viewing spot, and don't fancy standing for hours on end, you can splash out on a seat at the Grandstand — tickets here. Otherwise, it's up to you to pick a spot somewhere along the parade route. Trafalgar Square and Piccadilly Circus get the busiest.
Anything else I should know?
Over one million people attended last year's parade, so expect heavy crowds. If you're going with friends, it's a good idea to meet them before getting into central London: with so many people, you'll have your work cut out battling through the throng and phone reception can be pretty patchy. Failing that, settle on a viewing spot beforehand and stick to it.
Also, bring water! Especially if you're drinking booze — the queues in local shops will massive.
Finally, there's the Pride in London app, which tells you the parade route and stage timings. It works offline, so it could be a real life-saver if you're lost on the day.
