“Attitude is Hot” is the motto of CSD 2026. In keeping with this, many of the events surrounding this year’s CSD will also focus on the theme of democracy, such as the event on the eve of the main parade at the Brandenburg Gate. On 25 July, hundreds of thousands of people will march through Berlin on Christopher Street Day to demand more rights and equality for everyone – and, of course, especially for the LGBTQI+ community.
A star-studded line-up for Berlin Pride (CSD)
Pop and soul star Sarah Connor will headline the closing rally at the Brandenburg Gate on Saturday evening, while Berlin rapper Ikkimel takes to the stage on Friday. From the Pride parade and cultural events to parties that keep the celebrations going into the early hours, here are 11 tips for an unforgettable Pride Week in Berlin.
Tip 1: Celebrate Berlin Pride at Christopher Street Day
“Haltung (Attitude) is Hot!” is this year’s motto for Berlin’s Christopher Street Day (CSD). It all kicks off at 11.30 am at the junction of Leipziger Straße and Charlottenstraße; the parade starts at 12 noon and heads along Leipziger Straße to Potsdamer Platz, continuing along Bülowstraße to Nollendorfplatz. From there, the route continues along Kleiststraße, past “An der Urania”, on to Lützowplatz and finally from the Großer Stern along Straße des 17. Juni to the closing rally in front of the Brandenburg Gate. Special guest is the singer Sarah Connor, performing her coming-out song “Vincent”.
This year, for the first time, the CSD programme has been extended to two days! On the eve of the parade – Friday 24 July – the organisers are hosting a ‘Democracy Evening’ from 6 pm to 11 pm, featuring music, artistic performances and speeches on three stages at the Brandenburg Gate. The special guest this evening is the Berlin rapper Ikkimel
Tip: After the parade, the celebrations will continue from 9 pm at the “House of Pride” in the Aquahöfe in Berlin until late on Sunday morning.
When: 25 July 2026 from 11.30 am, departure from 12 noon
Starting point: Leipziger Straße / corner of Charlottenstraße
Closing rally: Straße des 17. Juni | Brandenburg Gate
Tip 2: Join Berlin’s first-ever Drag* March to the Brandenburg Gate
Berlin’s first official Drag* March is bringing a vibrant new event to the CSD weekend programme. Inspired by New York’s long-standing Drag March, it celebrates drag as a powerful expression of queer culture, creativity and activism. Under the slogan “Attitude is Hot!”, participants will make their way from Platz der Republik to the Brandenburg Gate. The march will culminate in the Berlin CSD’s Democracy Evening, with live music, political speeches and artistic performances.
When: Friday 24 July, 5 pm (meeting from 4.30 pm), rally from around 6 pm
Where: Start: Platz der Republik (Bundestag underground station), Finish: Brandenburg Gate / Straße des 17. Juni, Mitte
Tip 3: Wave your pom-poms at the CSD on the Spree
With 20 boats now taking part, the community traditionally sets sail on the Spree just before the CSD weekend. A great atmosphere is guaranteed with commentary and music as you take in the sights. If you’d like to take part in Canal Pride, you’ll need to be quick, as some of the 20 boats taking part this year are already fully booked!
Boarding begins at various jetties, depending on the boat, between 3.30 pm and 5.30 pm. With plenty of music and top-class entertainment, you’ll spend a good two to three hours cruising down the Spree. The ticket price for the boat party includes your pom-poms for the ‘Puschelalarm’ – and, of course, free entry to the big harbour party at Osthafen.
If you’re unable to set sail with Canal Pride,
the official Canal Pride 2026 after-party kicks off at 7 pm at Osthafen, featuring a red carpet, an outdoor rave, a wheel of fortune, a food court and more. From 9 pm, the party continues indoors across two dance floors. Party tickets for landlubbers are available online at Canalpride.berlin – and, by the way, also as a combined ticket for the big harbour party plus Chantal’s House of Shame.
When: 23 July 2026
Where: various boarding points along the Spree
Tip 4: Dyke* March Berlin takes a stand for lesbian visibility
On the eve of Berlin CSD, the Dyke* March makes its way through the city, taking a stand against queerphobia and discrimination. Rooted in an international protest tradition, the march creates a space for visibility, solidarity and collective resistance. Everyone who identifies as a dyke* is welcome, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. This year’s march is held under the slogan “Dykes onto the streets against fascism!” and culminates with a closing rally at Oranienplatz.
When: Friday 24 July, 5 pm
Where: Start: Rotes Rathaus, Mitte · Route via Kreuzberg to Oranienplatz Park
Tip 5: Dance your way into Pride Week at the COSMOPOLITAN Pride Edition
Kick off Berlin Pride Week with some glittering disco vibes. Just a few days before the actual Christopher Street Day, the queer community gathers for the COSMOPOLITAN Pride Edition, the official opening party of CSD Berlin Pride Week. DJs including EMI, Fixie Fate, Paulita and Vio PRG, along with live performances by Symba and Magda von Pfeffer, will get you onto the dance floor with modern disco-house sounds and timeless disco classics. Look forward to a night of partying that’s sure to go on for ages.
When: 28 July 2026, from 11 pm
Where: Mom’s Limousine Service, Wriezener Karree 15, Friedrichshain
Tip 6: Join in with the post-CSD clean-up
Come and help with the post-CSD clean-up. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up on the latest gossip about the parade and the after-parties. You’ll also be joining forces with Berliner CSD e. V. and wirBERLIN to help tidy up the Tiergarten after the colourful Pride weekend. Whether you come on your own, with friends or family:every helping hand counts. Rubbish bags, litter pickers and other equipment will be provided on site. We recommend registering via allesimfluss.berlin, but you’re also welcome to turn up on the day.
And best of all: as a special thank you, two places on a CSD float for next year will be raffled off amongst all participants!
When: 26 July 2026, 2 pm – 5 pm
Where: Großer Stern, entrance to Große Sternallee, Tiergarten
Tip 7: Dance the night away at ‘Love always wins’ – the official Flinta* CSD party
After an emotional day at the CSD, the Pride celebrations really get going at the Frannz Club: at the official FLINTA* party organised by queer garten, you can look forward to an evening full of solidarity, visibility and empowerment. Across three dancefloors featuring pop, rock, house and techno, you can dance, party and meet new people together. Look forward to ice cream, midnight snacks and a relaxing time in the adjoining beer garden.
Or join Girls Town for‘Love is Love’, the second official CSD FLINTA* party on 25 July from 9 pm at Maaya.
Party together until the early hours and experience the special energy of Berlin’s CSD weekend.
When: 25 July 2026, 8 pm
Where: Frannz Club at the Kulturbrauerei, Schönhauser Allee 36, Prenzlauer Berg (Pankow)
Tip 8: Feast at the CSD Breakfast Market in Markthalle Neun
Who says the CSD ends with the parade? At the CSD Breakfast Market at Markthalle Neun, you can round off the Pride weekend in a relaxed atmosphere. Look forward to a varied programme, queer arts and crafts, and meeting new people. There’ll also be Markthalle Neun’s popular breakfast offerings – from savoury to sweet, featuring plenty of regional specialities.
When: 26 July 2026, 10am–4pm
Where: Markthalle Neun, Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, Kreuzberg
Tip 9: Go and see "Wir sind am Leben" at the Theater des Westens
Set against the backdrop of the fall of the Berlin Wall, techno culture and personal reinvention, this new musical by Peter Plate and Ulf Leo Sommer tells a story of family, freedom and the spirit of the times in early 1990s Berlin. At its heart are siblings Nina and Mario, who find an unusual community in a squatted old building. The production combines powerful emotions with humour, whilst also evoking the era marked by the AIDS crisis. Featuring Steffi Irmen, a top-class ensemble, live music and impressive choreography, the post-Reunification era is brought to life on stage in a truly atmospheric way.
When: Running until 28 February 2027
Where: Theater des Westens, Kantstraße 12, Charlottenburg
Tip 10: Experience Carnivale Royale at the Chamäleon in Berlin
Perfect for the CSD weekend: the Amsterdam-based troupe House of Circus is bringing its production Carnivale Royale to Berlin – an energetic mix of spectacular aerial acrobatics, queer comedy and dazzling drag performances. At the same time, it’s about more than just a show, as the storyline also addresses experiences of discrimination and anti-queer sentiment. Over the weekend surrounding Christopher Street Day, you’ll have three chances to experience Carnivale Royale.
When: Until 2 August 2026; three performances over the CSD weekend (Friday & Saturday) as per the programme
Where: Chamäleon Berlin, Hackesche Höfe, Rosenthaler Straße 40/41, Mitte
Carnivale Royale
Tip 11: Pop along to Pride Ride Berlin
Bring your rainbow flags: at the Pride Ride, the community sends a visible message of solidarity and queer freedom. The motorbike ride starts at Pariser Platz and winds its way through Berlin. Queer people, friends, families and allies are all welcome to join in on motorbikes, trikes or scooters. It’s not about putting on a show – it’s all about community: loud, colourful and political.
When: Sunday, 2 pm
Where: Meeting point: Pariser Platz / Brandenburg Gate, Pariser Platz 1, Mitte
Pride Ride
To mark Pride Month, you can also look forward to a whole month of different events and parties where you can chat and network. You’ll find an overview in our events calendar and the full programme here :
When: 25 June to 25 July 2026
Where: various venues
Tip: At the hotels in the pink pillow Berlin Collection, you’ll enjoy relaxed and professional service. These hotels are committed to supporting the queer community. Here, you’re free to be exactly who you want to be!
