Vienna will once again be the rainbow capital of Europe this year: June is Pride month and this is to be celebrated. For weeks now, the city has been celebrating equal love and respect for all people. The highlight of Vienna Pride, however, is the Vienna Rainbow Parade, which celebrates cosmopolitanism, joie de vivre and solidarity.
The parade is Austria’s largest annual demonstration and sends a strong signal for acceptance, respect and equal rights for all people – regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender characteristics.
On Saturday, the Vienna Rainbow Parade will parade along the Ringstrasse for the 29th time. Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, heterosexuals, trans, cis, intersex and queer people will demonstrate together for acceptance, respect and equal rights in Austria, Europe and around the world.
Schedule and program
The parade will circle the Ringstrasse in the opposite direction to the direction of travel, passing central Viennese landmarks: Parliament, Heldenplatz, State Opera, Stubenring, Urania, Schwedenplatz, Franz-Josefs-Kai, the Stock Exchange, the University of Vienna and returning to Rathausplatz. The schedule for the Vienna Rainbow Parade is already set:
- from 9:30 am: groups line up in the assembly zone between Rathausplatz/Burgtheater and Franz-Josefs-Kai
- 12:00: Official start of the parade at Rathausplatz, parade against the direction of travel around the entire Ringstraße
- approx. 15:00: Moment of remembrance for victims of queer violence and HIV/AIDS
- approx. 16:00: Arrival of the front of the procession at Rathausplatz, the end follows approx. 1.5-2 hours later
- 18:00: Pride Celebration with speeches by activists and politicians at Rathausplatz
- 22:00: Final rally and colorful stage program
- from 22:30: Start of the official Pride Night
Further events on the occasion of the Vienna Rainbow Parade
Throughout the weekend, Rathausplatz will be transformed into the “Pride Village”: a queer village with live acts such as Melanie C. or Conchita Wurst, food trucks, information stands, culture, shows and culinary offerings.
The Pride Run Vienna (5 km) will take place on the Ringstrasse on Friday. A sporting symbol of diversity and inclusion will be set here before the celebrations on the same streets one day later.
The Vienna Rainbow Parade is sure to be an event like no other: over 250,000 to 300,000 participants and visitors are expected to celebrate together and set an example against discrimination. You don’t have to dress up or pay admission. The parade is free and everyone is welcome. Join us and stand up for equality!