Your 2023 Bucket List of LGBTQ+ Events

Feb. 02 2023

by Lachlan

It’s a new year, which means a heap of new LGBTQ+ events to attend. 2023 is already packing a punch in terms of great events, and we’ve already got our party wear ready! From iconic gay ski weeks and one epic WorldPride, to a host of different festivals and parties, here’s our round-up of the best LGBTQ+ events for 2023. And if you love gay circuit parties? Well we've also jotted down some of the globe's hottest dance-a-thons to help you plan your gay circuit party calendar too! So, how many will you tick off for the year? 

Mardi Gras: New Orleans, February 16 - 21

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Mardi Gras is a unique annual event in the sense that its date changes every year. While Mardi Gras traditionally falls 47 days before Easter, Easter changes every year, so as a result - so does Mardi Gras! For 2023, the official Mardi Gras will fall on Tuesday, February 21, however, celebrations will kick off the week before on the 16th, and run right through to the big day. New Orleans will shine brighter than ever with a host of great parades, masquerade balls, clubbing nights, and more. Plenty of merry-making is to be had!  

WorldPride 2023: Sydney February 17 - March 5

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The world is waiting with bated breath for WorldPride 2023, and for good reason. This will be WorldPride’s first venture in the southern hemisphere, and Sydney is already decked out in rainbow, waiting for us! Running in conjunction with the iconic Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, WorldPride 2023 will transpire over two weeks, and include everything from a Harbor Bridge Pride walk, pool party, live performances from some of Australia’s leading stars like Kylie Minogue and Courtney Act, and plenty of street parties. In keeping with the Pride vibes, Sydney will transform into a rainbow city, with many of the city’s important landmarks decked out in rainbow. 

Elevation Mammoth Gay Ski Week: Mammoth Lakes, March 15 - 19

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Ready to skis the day in 2023? Get yourself to Elevation Mammoth Gay Ski Week, and hit the slopes with pride. Kicking off towards the end of February, Elevation Mammoth will include a jam-packed itinerary of skiing, après-skis, snowboarding, themed parties, and even wine tasting. A highlight of the event is the Rainbow Run, which as the name suggests, is an organized run down Mammoth Hill. Runners are encouraged to dress up in bright colored costumes, so be sure to pack something wild for the day.  

European Snow Pride: Tignes, France March 18 - 25

Can’t get to the US this February? Don’t fret, European Snow Pride is one of Europe’s favorite gay ski weeks, and it’s happening this March. Taking place in the beautiful French alpine town of Tignes, you can enjoy 300 kilometers worth of interconnected slopes to spend your days on. Outside of skiing and snowboarding, European Snow Pride will also offer plenty of off-slope entertainment, including après-skis, themed parties, raclette and fondue nights, and the hugely popular pool party. What sets European Snow Pride apart from other gay ski weeks is that it also hosts a Pride parade on the slopes. So we’ll meet you there? 

Kings Day: Amsterdam, April 27

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Come Kings Day, the entire city of Amsterdam comes out in orange for one lively celebration that is on par with Canal Pride. So grab your fave orange tee and we’ll meet you in the Dutch capital for a big outdoor party. The celebration is in honor of the Dutch King, Willem Alexander, and it is the nation’s most popular holiday. In Amsterdam, the canals are filled to the brim with party boats, and the city streets offer loads of different outdoor concerts, performances and general entertainment to keep the festivities afloat - so to speak. 

Eurovision 2023: Liverpool, May 9 - 13

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Whether you’ve got tickets or not, Eurovision is a great opportunity to get your inner kitsch on, round up your mates, and have some fun as the nations take to the stage and sing for their life. While Ukraine took home the crown in 2022, the UK is stepping in to host for 2023, so we’ll see you up in Liverpool. Liverpool was the birthplace of the iconic British pop band, The Beatles, so it makes sense that it will host Europe’s biggest singing contest this year - the city has music in its blood. While Liverpool is not as gay-friendly as other cities in the UK like London or Brighton, the UK is generally LGBTQ+ friendly, so you’ll have no problem finding some fun local gay bars in between Eurovision nights. 

White Party - Gay Circuit Party: Palm Springs, May 12 - 14

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If one of your new year’s resolutions for 2023 was to enjoy more dancing, then you’ll sure tick this off by attending White Party Palm Springs. For three days, enjoy a series of gay circuit parties curated by some of the globe’s best DJs. Transpiring across a series of different venues in Palm Springs, White Party will offer everything from pool parties, to ski-themed nights and T-Dances. So grab your best set of Speedos, and prepare for some top notch gay circuit parties down in Palm Springs this May.  

Pride Month,  June

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Sure, you might often say this about Christmas, but for us, it’s hands down Pride Month. For the entire month, cities across the globe shine in rainbow light, uniting the LGBTQ+ community in one incredible celebration of unity, love, and of course, pride. Whether you’re planning to slay the streets of NYC, ride down one of the canals in Amsterdam, or hit up some epic street parties in Madrid, Pride Month is THE time to be out, proud, and fabulous. Check out our global Pride Calendar for deets on your favorite Prides.  

Circuit Asia: Pattaya, Thailand June 23 - 25

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In terms of key gay circuit parties to attend for 2023, we have to say Circuit Asia is a frontrunner. Taking place at the end of June, you can enjoy a calendar of gay circuit parties all in the one, gorgeous location. In keeping with a classic gay circuit party, expect world-class DJs, go-go dancers, new people to meet, and everything else in between! While Circuit Asia is only running for three nights, why not extend your trip and stay a little longer in Pattaya? The destination is super LGBTQ+ with a great mix of bars and clubs to keep you entertained - even after attending a gay circuit party!  

La Demence Cruise: Ravenna, Italy July 9 - 16

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Let’s go cruising together - on La Demence Cruise to be specific. La Demence is renowned for its regular gay circuit party calendar, and as you can imagine, things reach new levels at sea. Setting sail from beautiful Ravenna on July 9, you can enjoy seven days of non-stop entertainment on the Explorer of the Seas. Think drag nights, T-Dance parties, themed nights, and more. And of course, thanks to the great itinerary of La Demence Cruise, you will be able to explore the wonders of Albania, Greece, Malta and Sicily - could summer get any better? 

Fit Lad Mountain, Tignes Le Lac, July 9 - 16

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Fancy getting fit this July? Why not pencil in Fit Lad Mountain, and meet other gay guys while exercising? Taking place in the picturesque alpine town of Tignes Le Lac, Fit Lad Mountain promises seven days of exercise and fun - and yes, they can coexist. Enjoy a series of fitness and relaxation activities led by trained coaches, or alternatively benefit from free access to sport equipment for tennis, beach volleyball, archery and more. Come evening, Fit Lad Mountain will also host social events so you can meet other gay guys and come away with a host of new friends.   

Southern Decadence: New Orleans, August 31 - September 4

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Southern Decadence festival is one of the year’s most iconic LGBTQ+ events, falling over Labor Day weekend every August. For five days, New Orleans comes alive with a series of different street festivals, parades, and gay circuit parties, putting on a true spectacle. Often referred to as Gay Mardi Gras, this is a great occasion to celebrate your pride and connect with other gay guys who have come to soak up some of  the festive atmosphere. Sunday hosts the iconic parade led by Marshalls through the French Quarter, so be sure to get your best frock on and prepare to slay it.  

Folsom Street Fair: San Francisco, September 25

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Get your leather on, and we’ll meet you in San Francisco this September for the legendary Folsom Street Fair. BDSM, kink, bondage, you name it, this fair is all about letting go of your inhibitions and embracing your naughtiest self. Covering 13 blocks of Folsom Street, you can enjoy everything from live fetish performances, top-notch DJs, and gay circuit parties to some 200 street stand vendors selling loads of kinky merchandise and more. And of course, there’s a host of new people to meet, it’s Folsom Street Fair after all, everyone will be out and proud. 

Gay Games: Hong Kong, November 3 - 11

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The Gay Games 2023 will be transpiring in Hong Kong, and is all about celebrating unity in diversity through nine days of sports, culture, and fun. The event will be co-hosted with Guadalajara, Mexico, making it the first Gay Games to take place in Asia and Latin America - now that's worth celebrating. Participate in the sports, or just spectate, and enjoy a great line-up including badminton, fencing, dragon boating, sailing, marathons and more. Along with sporting events, there'll be plenty of different Arts & Culture activities to attend, so book your place now and enjoy one of Asia's most vibrant cities.

Loved this? Check out what's best in LGBTQ+ travel for 2023 and discover somewhere new.