Discover Northern Ireland has compiled a list of LGBTQIA+ friendly and queer-owned businesses in Northern Ireland to celebrate pride season and provide ideas for a short break.
With Dublin Pride marking its 50th anniversary, individuals can extend the celebrations by planning a Pride getaway in Northern Ireland, where Pride events offer inclusive and vibrant celebrations for people from all backgrounds.
Discover Northern Ireland offers a guide to LGBTQIA+ short breaks, including information on top festivals, entertainment options, and accommodations during Pride events and beyond.
Events
- Belfast Pride Festival (19-28 July) hosts over 150 events across 10 days. The wide-ranging programme includes the Belfast Pride Family Fun Day on July 20th and HERe NI’s Plant For Pride event on July 24th, as well as a full schedule of workshops, panels, quizzes and clinics. The celebrations culminate in a colourful display of support and solidarity during the Pride Parade and afterparty on July 27th, with music from one of Northern Ireland’s biggest Abba tribute bands The Bjorn Identity, and a crowd-pleasing performance guaranteed by former UTV presenter Julian Simmons with his Ibiza Dance Show.
- The annual Outburst Queer Arts Festival (15-23 November) is packed with theatre, film, music, visual art and discussions which explore and celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender stories and experiences. It aims to bring you the very best in queer talent.
Entertainment
- The city’s most famous gay club is Kremlin on Donegall Street. A Soviet-style industrial opulence exudes throughout the venue’s extravagant decor. A huge variety of theme nights, celebrity performances and the friendliest up-for-it clubbers gives Kremlin the reputation of being the best gay venue in Ireland.
- Situated in a 19th century shoe factory, Union Street Bar is one of the city’s most stylish bars with a cool yet comfy vibe. Upstairs, the Green Room Cocktail Lounge is particularly worth a visit, and the adjoining Shoe Factory provides wacky entertainment, from bingo and karaoke to quizzes and cabaret.
- Maverick Bar on Union Street is a popular gay bar, well-loved for its eclectic live music nights and comedy shows. The open mic sessions are unmissable, taking place every Wednesday.
- The Reporter, home of Ru Paul’s Britain vs The World winner Blu Hydrangea, has a warm and welcoming interior clad with artefacts and memorabilia, illustrating the city’s colourful history through the eyes of the press.
- Cabaret is a luxurious supper club. Enjoy live burlesque, contortionists, magicians, comedians, bands, even famous local artists, while you enjoy a sumptuous meal served by your own Cabaret Butler.
Stay
- There are a host of eclectic and value for money hotels in Belfast City Centre including the funky Bullitt Hotel, AC Hotel by Marriott overlooking the river, and the centrally located Malmaison Hotel.
- The world famous 4-star Europa Hotel is renowned for its cosmopolitan buzz, prime location and superb facilities. Their ballroom has hosted many fabulous events including the shows of Ru Paul’s drag queen’s Gigi Goode and Gottmik hosted by local queen, Misty Falls.
- The Harrison in Queen’s Quarter are restored, landmark Victorian merchants’ residences dating from 1879 designed to serve the culturally curious traveller. Eccentric curios and surprises await to delight around every corner.
Events outside Belfast
- Foyle Pride Festival (23-25 August) in Derry City has a full programme of events including the Parade on 24th August at 2pm, following a historical route through the city and retracing the steps of the first ever Civil Rights March in 1968.
- Causeway Pride (3 August) held their first rally in 2023 in honour of gay rights campaigner Mark Ashton who grew up in Portrush before moving to London in 1978.
- Mid-Ulster Pride (10 August) celebrates love, diversity, and unity while for the first time, Enniskillen will be hosting Pride at Enniskillen Castle (7 September); an outdoor event with local performers, craft stalls, local and regional charitable information booths, great food and music.
- The English Royal Residence at Hillsborough Castle (County Down) is inviting people to attend LGBTQIA+ tours led by an expert guide on 19th, 21st, 26th July & 2nd, 4th August. The tours will shed light on everything from royal relationships and scandals to activism and shifting societal attitudes. Not only does this promise to fuel interesting discussions on ever-developing understandings of sexuality and gender identity, but the tour will also provide a look at the Castle’s beautiful collection of artefacts and paintings.
Stay
- The Galgorm Resort & Spa (County Antrim) boasts luxurious guestrooms as well as Cottage Suites, Log Cabins, Forest Dens and Shepherd’s Huts, not to mention a selection of restaurants. The unique Thermal Spa Village is the first of its kind in Ireland with an extensive selection of riverside hot tubs, indoor and outdoor heated pools, steam rooms and saunas.
- Me & Mrs Jones (County Antrim) is the North Coast’s original & authentic boutique, luxury hotel in the seaside town of Portrush. The quirky-modern hotel décor has been carefully chosen boasting a sense of space and opulence throughout which includes a restaurant with public bar and beer garden.
For more information, and to help you build your perfect Pride short break itinerary, visit https://discovernorthernireland.com/things-to-do/lgbt-plus
