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Madrid celebrates its largest and most significant festival in terms of tourism every year and, furthermore, the program for Madrid Gay Pride 2024 has already been published. At LOCK & enjoy!, we encourage you to visit the capital to experience this event, which we are sure will not disappoint you.

We have two locker facilities near the city centre where you can store your belongings while you enjoy any of the scheduled activities.

What is it and when is it celebrated?

It is the annual celebration of the LGBTQI+ community in Madrid, starting on June 28th (International LGBTQ Pride Day). For more than a week, specifically until July 7th, Madrid transforms into a city of light, love, and numerous activities for all audiences.

Its significance is undeniable in any context:

  • In 2023, it generated an economic impact of 519.9 million euros.
  • Hotel occupancy can reach up to 100%.
  • The number of tourists visiting the city during those days has reached two million people, with 35% of them coming from outside Spain.

2024 Programming

This year’s program has already been made public by the associations in charge of its organization. From LOCK & enjoy!, we encourage you to continue reading the selection of activities we have prepared so you can choose the one you like best with your loved ones.

Chueca’s Pride

It is the first activity of MADO (Madrid Pride), on Friday, June 28th. It consists of a series of cultural and recreational initiatives carried out in the bars, shops, and restaurants of the famous Chueca neighborhood.

If it’s your first time at Madrid’s Gay Pride, you will be surprised by the activity in the streets. The reason is that this celebration invites you to drink, dance, and socialize with others in public thoroughfares, and the good weather always helps.

Pride Proclamation

The proclamation marks the official start of the festival, but it is also known for the fun that fills every corner of Pedro Zerolo Square. It is the most important event after Saturday’s march.

This year it will be held on July 3rd, from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. This year’s host will be the famous drag queen: La Plexy.

Once the proclamation ends, a series of stages are set up until Sunday, July 7th with live performances in different areas of Madrid:

  • Plaza del Rey, known during Gay Pride in Madrid as Plaza de las Reinas, where Soraya, Nya de la Rubia, and La mare, among other artists, will perform.
  • The works in Sol have already finished, therefore, the stage has been set up again. Although the schedule or specific dates are not yet known, we know that Samantha Ballentines or Vypper will be in Puerta del Sol.
  • In Plaza de España, Nebulossa, Merche, or la Grande Dame will take center stage.

Heels Race

The heels race is one of the most fun activities on the program. It is a sporting event but with a playful nature, as it combines speed, balance, and glamour.

This year’s celebration will take place on July 4th at 6:00 PM on Pelayo Street, right in the Chueca neighborhood.

Anyone can participate, regardless of gender, age, or sexual orientation. If you’re up for it, all you need is a desire to have fun, respect rules, and have some skill wearing heels with a maximum platform of 15 centimetres.

State March and Central Act

On Saturday, July 6th, the most powerful activity of the entire program takes place. This year’s slogan is “Education, Rights, and Peace: Pride that Transforms.”

The starting point is the roundabout at Carlos V in Atocha. At LOCK & enjoy!, we advise you to follow it from this area, which is also the most frequented by families and older people and, consequently, the least crowded. The official route is as follows:

  1. Atocha Station (Carlos V Roundabout).
  2. Paseo del Prado.
  3. Cibeles Fountain.
  4. Paseo de Recoletos.
  5. Colon Square.

Once the march reaches its end, the parade of advocacy floats begins. It is the central act and the one that attracts the most tourists, as all the aforementioned areas fill with music, dance, and colour. Companies like Google, Facebook, or Amazon also do not miss the opportunity to be present at this party, hence they have their own floats.

There are numerous stalls to buy drinks, food, and all kinds of merchandise so that you can have a nice souvenir of this experience.

We recommend wearing comfortable footwear, as this event starts at 7:00 PM and lasts until dawn.

When the parade ends, the nighttime party continues in the pubs and nightclubs throughout central Madrid, especially in Chueca.

Mr. Gay Spain Contest

This year marks 18 years since the creation of Mr. Gay Spain. The operation is very similar to that of other recognized beauty contests, as each participant represents his province, among whom there will be a winner who will be the image of Spain in international contests.

This year it takes place on July 5th in Plaza de España. It is another of the most important events of Pride, as it gathers thousands of people.

Although most of the programming takes place in the centre of Madrid, always use the Metro to move around comfortably and freely, as it is considered one of the best means of transport.

Come and discover Madrid’s most popular festival: Gay Pride 2024! Book one of our lockers in Madrid to forget about your most valuable items. However, if you have any questions, you can contact us, LOCK & enjoy!, through the channels indicated on the website.

Victor Salgado

CEO of LOCK & enjoy! and tourism expert, with experience in leading hotel chains such as Hyatt, Marriott, or IHG. His mastery of Oracle's Opera and its integrations drive excellence in management through any tourism software.