Copenhagen Gay Pride 2023

Copenhagen Pride 2023 in August – Pure Hot Danish Fun

Every year in August, Copenhagen Gay Pride hosts a colourful and political festival with awards, parties, concerts and film, centred around City Hall Square. The pride is held in late August by which time most hot Danish boys have returned from their annual Summer holidays, looking bronzed and buff for a weekend of partying. The Parade together with the Pride Week has taken place since 1996.

• Visiting for Pride? Book your hotel close to the gay bars in the centre along Studiestraede. Stay at the Hotel Sp34 featuring sleek minimalist Scandi-design rooms and steps from the city’s bustling gay life.

Copenhagen Pride Square

• Tuesday 15th to Sunday 20th August, 2023 – The city’s main square is transformed into Pride Square (at Radhuspladsen and Stroget), during Pride Week, complete with a stage featuring live entertainment each night.
• Copenhagen Pride square is also home to various shops offering food and drink. Access to the square is free, however you can show your support for the Pride by buying the official Pride bracelet.
• Each night the stage show is different, from a 70’s and 80s night to a Swedish/Eurovision music evening. Don’t miss the Friday Night Drag spectacular.
• Stay close to the Pride Square and consider the Citizen M, just 150m from the square offering stylish rooms with a modern design.

Copenhagen Pride Parade

• Saturday, 19th August 2023 – More than 20,000 visitors attend the Pride Parade. It is the most important day of the Copenhagen Pride week and is held on the second Saturday.
• At 1 pm, the Copenhagen Gay Pride Parade departs Frederiksberg Rådhusplads consisting of 160 groups with 40.000 participants marching along the 3.3 Km long route from the Frederiksberg City Hall to Copenhagen City Hall. The parade is viewed by over 300.000 spectators along the route.
• If you would like to transform your parade look, head to Alhambra’s cosy garden from 11pm for a complete transformation by some of the city’s top make up artists. Arrive early.
• Stay close to the Parade at the Radisson Collection Royal Hotel and spoil yourself with epic views and classic scandi design.

Fetish Pride Parties

• SLM Copenhagen (Scandinavian Leather Men) is the largest gay fetish club in Scandinavia and hosts the popular Bears “Beard” Party and Jock and Full Fetish Nights during the Copenhagen Pride. Check out the full program of events.

Big Summer Party at the Gay House

• Saturday August 19th 2023, 20:00 – 06:00 – The Gay House throws another summer party. Kick off Pride Week at the legendary summer party with more than 600 other guests. Come in your most adventurous outfit. Or just as you. But come party.
• The Bøssehuset (Gay House) is a cultural and meeting space featuring regular theatre and music performances, exhibitions, speaker events and parties.

Copenhagen Pride Street Parties

• Saturday August 19th 2023, – from 12.00 to 00.00 – Centralhjørnet Pride Street Party with outside beer, DJS and the traditional pride party both inside the bar and on the street outside. It is the oldest gay bar in Denmark.
• Saturday August 19th 2023, – from 12.00 to 00.00 – Studiestraede Street Party. As always, the street is close to traffic and transformed into a fabulous street party organised by all of the bars along the street.

Pride Closing Party

• Saturday August 19th 2023, – from 23.00 to 05.00 – Red Shoe Presents the official Pride Closing Party with performances by Miz Cracker, Hosted by Tinus, with DJ Bebulah and Schaarup, at Stagebox from Refshalevej 189, from 11pm to 5am.

Other Copenhagen Pride Events

• Rainbow Art – The National Gallery of Denmark, Copenhagen Contemporary and event Saint Stephen’s Church host special exhibitions and collections during the entire week.
• Human Rights Conference – More than 80 different events on Human Rights take place over the 7 days of pride. It is one of the most extensive programs in Europe.
• Canal & Walking Tours  – Take a unique canal tour with a drag queen as your guide or explore the history of the city with a Copenhagen Pride walking tour. – Information is available in the Pride Square.

Copenhagen’s Gay Bars, Clubs & Parties

Copenhagen’s gay bars and clubs are in the city center around the famous Strøget shopping street, one of Europe’s longest, and within easy walking distance of each other. Many of the bars are clustered around Studiestræde in the city’s historic Latin Quarter which runs parallel to Strøget.

• Centralhjørnet – The city’s oldest bar with popular shows. (over 100 years old)
• Kiss Kiss – Mixed and busy bar with cute boys and their friends.
• Men’s Bar – Old School, dark and cruisy bar.
• Cosy bar – Gay bar with small dancefloor; attracts a younger audience.
• G*A*Y Copenhagen – Gay bar with a club vibe, dance floor and drag shows.
• Jailhouse CPH – Basement floor bar, (not a cruising club) poplar with bears.
• Masken Bar – Another long standing bar attracting all ages, spread over two floors with great street views.
• Oscar – Gay cafe and bar, popular with everyone and home to a large Summer terrace.
• Café Intime – More than 100 years old, a city institution with live music and great beer.
• Red Shoe – Cocktails, sexy staff and late night DJs.
• Never Mind – The city’s late night dance club, high energy and great fun.

Where to stay during Copenhagen Gay Pride

The following Copenhagen hotels are currently trending with our readers. All are close to the gay bars and Pride events:

Hotel Herman K,    Hotel Danmark,   Hotel Alexandra,    Scandic Palace,