There is no right or wrong way to do Pride in London. The epic parade wends its way through central London this Saturday July 4, but the entire weekend is packed with events in central and beyond that are as multifaceted as the LGBTQI+ community itself. Here are seven slightly alternative ways to celebrate Pride in London, including one that lets you dip into the post-parade festivities at Trafalgar Square.
See a queer classic at The Arzner
London’s only dedicated queer cinema, The Arzner on Bermondsey Square, is a real hidden gem. Over Pride weekend, its typically sharp programming includes the sumptuous queer classic Pink Narcissus, subversive sci-fi flick Lesbian Space Princess and an illuminating documentary, Beyond the Fire: The Life of Japan’s First Pride Parade Pioneer. The cocktails are always on point, too.
See Minogueus Sanctus – Hersh Dagmarr sings Kylie Minogue
What if Kylie Minogue had been a torch singer in Weimar Germany? That’s the intriguing conceit behind this Friday night show from cabaret star Hersh Dagmarr. Soho venue Crazy Coqs is a suitably louche location for Dagmarr’s thoughtful theatrical exploration of why so many LGBTQI+ people have entered into a Minogue-amous relationship with this enduring queer icon.
Visit a camp village fete
From 11am on Saturday, St Paul’s Church in Covent Garden will be transformed into The Big Gay Brunch, a “camp village fete” with drag turns, DJ sets, a queer makers’ market, a make-up station and loads of food stalls. Entry is free, with all profits from the fundraising frivolities going to London Friend, the UK’s oldest LGBTQI+ charity. Don’t forget change for the raffle.
Bed in for an all-day cabaret marathon at Halfway to Heaven
Cosy drag den Halfway to Heaven is just a stone’s throw – or should that be a handbag toss? – from Trafalgar Square. From midday on Saturday, Halfway is hosting an all-day cabaret marathon featuring turns from scene stalwarts like Son of a Tutu, Tanya Hyde and Bette Rinse. Entry is free so it’s the perfect spot for a post-parade pick-me-up.
Party for 16 hours at Howl Pride 2026
Of all the alternative Pride events, this one’s the biggest and possibly the kinkiest. Hosted by Howl Worldwide, a sex-positive community for all genders and sexualities, it’s a multi-venue takeover in Hackney Wick featuring performances from Tom Rasmussen, Juliana Huxtable and Mykki Blanco. The party rages for 16 hours from 2pm on Saturday, so you can go hard until you catch the Mildmay line home.
Glitter up at the Slap! Pride Party
Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club was under threat a couple of years ago, so partying at this sticky-carpeted temple of queer mayhem now feels extra special. On Saturday night, a trio of east London icons – Baby Lame, Freida Slaves and Margo Marshall – will be “flipping a middle finger to the pretentious circuit parties” that often dominate Pride. Do bring glitter; don't wear your best shoes.
Rave all day at the Club Camionera Pride Day Party
Daytime ravers can rub shoulders with the party, sleep, repeat brigade at Hackney’s lesbian hotspot La Camionera, which is hosting a Sunday afternoon social from 2pm. It’s promising free shots for the sexiest outfits and a wet T-shirt contest, so it’s definitely the place for the FLINTA+ community to get flirty over Pride weekend.
