From drag queen brunches to latin parties, CSD Berlin (27.07.2024) is much more than just a pride march. First up: if you need to brush up on your LGBTQ+ history head over to Nollendorfplatz for the Queer & Trans History Tour on Friday (26.07.). The guided walk takes you through 100+ years of successes and struggles courtesy of expert guide Jeff, who uses augmented reality elements to project Berlin’s LGBTQ+ history onto the streets. Meanwhile, over at Keller Kreuzberg they’re celebrating pride as only they can: with a dose of sex positive good vibes. The colorful shop for toys, tees and fetishes will be open extra long during CSD with drinks, competitions and a mid-summer sale (25.–27.07.). Next up, the main event: Saturday (27.07.) will see 75 trucks and tens of thousands of people take to the streets for the annual CSD demonstration. To address grumbles that pride marches are more about big brands than activism, this year’s event hopes to be firmly political, with six policy demands and dozens of campaign groups taking part. The floats to watch (and dance behind) include Deutsche Aidshilfe, Amnesty International and Queerer Sportverein Berlin. The meeting point for the march – which goes through Schöneberg to the Siegessäule – is the corner of Leipziger Strasse and Spittelmarkt at 12 midday.
Rounding off Saturday’s events are the (in)famous pride parties, running well into Sunday. The official celebration takes place at Ritter Butzke in Kreuzberg, with a colorful lineup that includes a DJ set by Hot Chip and an appearance by queer performance icon Amanda Lepore. If you prefer dancing to the off-beat, Lido Berlin is where you’ll want to end up. The Kreuzberg concert venue is hosting Furiosa “Latin Pride” with an all-night program of Latin pop and reggaeton. Doors open at midnight, so round up your pride crew and ¡Vamos de fiesta!.
Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Jason Harrell, Robyn Steffen
The official CSD Berlin and Pride Month program is available online.
@csd.berlin.pride
