Pride Vienna: Everything about Pride Month

Written by Christina Pichler, 15.05.2025

June is Pride month! That means: visibility, safety and celebration of the LGBTQI+ community, rainbow flags, the Rainbow Parade, the Pride Run and more! In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Pride Month and show you the most important events you shouldn’t miss.

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Pride Vienna: Understanding Pride Month

Pride – but what does it mean? Pride in one’s own identity, in one’s own life, in who you are. And this pride is something every person is entitled to, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. No one should have to hide, conform, or justify themselves just to be accepted.

Unfortunately, people in the LGBTQI+ community still face exclusion, discrimination, hatred, and disadvantage. That’s exactly why Pride Month exists: every year in June, it stands for tolerance, diversity, and equality – and for a visible, confident LGBTQI+ community.

At its core, it promotes self-determination, dignity, and visibility, as well as a clear commitment to an open and equal society. Pride Month is a time for celebration – colorful, loud, and united. At the same time, it is also a political demonstration for rights and recognition.

In the following sections, you’ll find out where Pride Month comes from, what the Rainbow Parade is all about, and which Pride events await you in Vienna this June.

What does LGBTQI+ mean?

The acronym LGBTQI+ represents different sexual orientations and identities: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer und Intersex. The + is a wild card for all kinds of identities and orientations. Everybody should feel welcome in this community.

Symbol of Pride Month

The most well-known symbol of Pride Month is the rainbow flag. It represents the LGBTQI+ community worldwide and embodies pride, diversity, and visibility, as well as peace and change.
Originally, the flag was designed in 1978 by American artist Gilbert Baker, inspired by the U.S. flag and the colours of the rainbow as a reflection of the diversity within the queer community. The original version consisted of eight colors, each with its own meaning. Today, the six-stripe version is most commonly seen:

  • Red stands for life
  • Orange for healing
  • Yellow for sunlight
  • Green for nature
  • Blue for harmony
  • Violet for spirit and spirituality

You can find out more about the other Pride flags and what they stand for here!

Why do we celebrate Pride Month?

Unfortunately, there are still a lot of prejudices against the LGBTQI+ community, which leads to exclusion and disadvantages. “Gay” is still used as a cuss word and in many countries, people are still persecuted because of their sexual orientation. Those who openly live and express themselves are still side-eyed on the street, insulted and attacked. In some parts of society, homosexuality is even still seen as a mental illness, even though in 1990, the WHO declared that it is not a disease. That is exactly why we need to continue to fight for the rights, tolerance and equal rights of all people.

Pride Month draws attention to the issues faced by the LGBTQI+ community. It raises awareness in society and politics, creating the opportunity to work together to find solutions. In Austria, same-sex marriage was legalized in January 2019, and since autumn 2022, same-sex individuals are no longer excluded from donating blood.

Let’s fight for a world without prejudice and discrimination! ©Adobe Stock
Let’s fight for a world without prejudice and discrimination! ©Adobe Stock

Love is love and every single person is perfect the way they are – and that’s what we are standing up for!

Fun fact: Did you know that the LGBTQI+ Community influenced the Austrian history and culture? For example, the Castle Belvedere was the summer residence of Prince Eugen von Savoyen who enjoyed the company of men not only on the battlefield but also in his free time. Eduard van der Nüll and August Sicard von Sicardsburg were both homosexual architects who designed the Viennese State Opera. The composer Schubert was part of what we call LGBTQI+ Community today and expressed his sentiments in his music.

How do we celebrate Pride Month?

Celebrate Pride month with other positive and fun people at parades, marches, events, workshops, parties and more! Take a look at the event calendar for the Vienna Pride 2025!

Wear it. Take advantage of this month to add some colour to your wardrobe. All of the colours of the rainbow fit perfectly. You can also add little rainbow flags to your clothes.

Support the LGBTQI+ community with donations or volunteer work. Many organisations and charities try to support members of the LGBTQI+ community and your donation can help them continue their work. Here are some organisations based in Vienna that you can support financially or volunteer for: HOSI Vienna, Queer Base and Courage.

During Pride month, we want to shine a light on LGBTQI+ art and culture, including its artists, creators and authors. Read some LGBTQI+ books, visit the Queer Museum Vienna or listen to queer music!

Pride month is the perfect time to get educated! For example, learn more about the queer history of Vienna on this guided LGBTQI+ city tour!

Don’t forget that Pride is primarily a protest with an important message! ©Adobe Stock

Christopher Street Day (CSD): How did June become Pride Month?

In June 1969, a police raid at the Stonewall Inn, a LGBTQI+ bar in New York, turned violent. While fighting for equal rights many gays, lesbians and especially black people were injured and abused by the police.

These instances were not uncommon at that time. However, in June 1969, for the first time, gays, lesbians and transgender rioted and stood up against this injustice. Since these violent incidents spread quickly, an LGBTQI+ movement emerged that became increasingly visible and deliberately provocative. They met in front of the Stonewall Inn and protested for equality and liberation of LGBTQI+ people. Since the Stonewall Inn was at Christopher Street, the anniversary of these protests has been called Christopher Street Day “CSD” since the 1970s.

Vienna Pride 2025

The Vienna Pride takes place from the 31st May to the 15th of June 2025. During these weeks, numerous events and activities are organised for, from and with the LGBTQI+ community. Information events, marches, sports events, workshops, art exhibitions about pride await you!

A special highlight of the celebrations is the Rainbow Parade. It was held for the first time in Vienna in 1996 and was inspired by Andreas Brunner, head of the Center for Queer History in Vienna. After attending the 25th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York in 1994, he brought the idea of hosting a Pride Parade to Vienna.

Rainbow parade: The most colourful demonstration in Vienna

he highlight of Pride Vienna is on the 14th of June 2025: the Rainbow Parade! For the 29th time, thousands of people will walk along the “Ring” in Vienna to demonstrate for the rights, acceptance and respect of the LGBTQI+ community in Austria and in the whole world. HOSI Vienna encourages you to show your positive message on posters, shirts, signs, etc.!

The Rainbow Parade is a public demonstration, which means that you can attend with your friends without prior registration. If you want to participate “officially” or want to ride your parade waggon, you must register. You can register for the Rainbow Parade beginning on the 31st of May 2025. If you are in the mood for fun, positivity and acceptance and want to celebrate that with thousands of people, then the Rainbow Parade is a must-see!

Meeting point: from 9:30 at the Rathausplatz, Vienna

Start: 12pm

Announcements: 6pm at Rathausplatz (politicians and activists)

End: 10 pm

Route: It starts at Rathausplatz and continues along the Ringstraße towards the parliament, opera, Urania and back to Rathausplatz.

Off to the Pride – Celebration and protest for tolerance, diversity, and acceptance! ©Adobe Stock
Off to the Pride – Celebration and protest for tolerance, diversity, and acceptance! ©Adobe Stock

Pride Run: Running for the rights and visibility of the LGBTQIA+ Community

The other big event at the Vienna Pride is the Pride Run on the 13th of June 2025. Athletes come together to fight for equality, respect and visibility of the LGBTQI+ community.  There are single, pair and team competitions for runners, Nordic walkers and people in wheel chairs.

Registration: You can register for this run until the 5th of June 2025. The entry fee is between €42 and €57, depending on the starting position.

Route: The route is 5km. The run is along the Ringstraße and you start and end the run at the Rathausplatz.

Start: 8pm

Getting your running number: You can get your running number on the 12th of June 2025 from 4-7pm in WeMove Running Store in Wien Mitte The Mall.

More events: the best highlights of Pride Vienna in June 2025

In addition to the two main events, the Rainbow Parade and the Pride Run, countless events will take place from May 31st to June 15th. From panel discussions and workshops to museum tours, readings, and the Pool & Beach Day, there’s something for everyone.
Here are more highlights of Pride Vienna 2025.

  • Pride Brunch at Café Savoy on June 1st, 8th, and 15th 2025
  • Pride DJ Cocktail at “Der Dachboden” on May 27th 2025
  • Pride Beach Day at Vienna City Beach Club on June 1st 2025
  • Pride Pool Day at Badeschiff Wien on May 31st 2025
  • Drag Show Miss*ter Vienna Pride on June 7th at the Ottakringer Brewery
  • Guided tour “Que(e)r through the Literature Museum” of the National Library on June 4th and 6th 2025

You’ll find all the events happening during these two weeks in the event calendar. Take advantage of these fantastic opportunities to start meaningful conversations, meet new people, and make a bold statement for love and acceptance.

Queer Clubs and Bars: Trendy locations to celebrate

The queer clubbing and party scene in Vienna is loud and proud! The club “Why Not” in the 1st district is the perfect address for parties, amazing beats and tons of fun! There are numerous gay and lesbian bars, for example the Felixx and Marea Alta in Gumpendorfer Street. For more trendy locations take a look at this list of the best queer clubs and bars in Vienna!

There are also many queer-friendly clubs and bars in Graz. The Cafe Silber, the Postgaragen Cafe and the Vintage are locations that you should definitely give a try.

Do you live in Innsbruck and are looking for fun and safe spaces for your night out? Visit Bacchus or Dom Cafe. Great music, fun people and enough space to dance and celebrate!

In June rainbow flags decorate the city landscape and the famous same-sex, as well as mixed couples in the traffic lights shine bright. We celebrate the LGBTQI+ community with beautiful colours, the Rainbow Parade, the Pride Run and the numerous events in June. We are making a statement for the rights, equality and tolerance of all people. Because love is love!

If your sexual orientation or identity are currently a difficult subject for you and you want to talk to somebody, you can find counselling centres for LGBTQI+ people that can help you and give you advice. Maybe in the future you can also celebrate the Pride month loud and proud!

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