12 events to celebrate Dublin Pride 2025

The Pride parade will take over O’Connell Street, transforming Dublin’s main thoroughfare into a vibrant celebration of flamboyant floats and colourful costumes. This year’s theme, ‘Taking Liberties’, marks ten years since marriage equality and the Gender Recognition Act. You can just turn up on the day and cheer on from the sidelines or join in the march, which will be led by this year's Grand Marshall, activist Ruadhán Ó Críodáin, Executive Director of ShoutOut, an educational charity for the LGBTQ+ community. 

The parade is divided into two sections, the first reserved for LGBTQ+ support, advocacy, youth and social groups, while corporate organisations get to wave their flags in the second part. Participants will gather along O’Connell Street before marching down by Liberty Hall, crossing the River Liffey and finishing up at the Pride Village in Merrion Square. Wear your colours with pride and make some noise.

O’Connell Street | Saturday, June 28, 12:30pm.

Media captionTake part in the iconic Pride Parade.

Media credit@clem_mason

To kick off Pride Month, the National Gallery of Ireland are offering a guided tour which weaves through work by LGBTQIA+ artists and considers the community's history in fine art. Can't make the event? You can still follow along with the self-guided tour online.

National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square, Dublin 2 | Various dates and times | Free.

Media captionExplore the LGBTQIA+ history and context of works at the National Gallery.

Today, you can find Oscar Wilde lounging in Merrion Square, his statue decked out in a nephrite jade smoking jacket, his pink collar and cuffs carved from thulite. But back in his day, the Irish writer was seen as anything but an icon due to his flamboyance and sexuality, so much so that he was imprisoned for two years. 

Celebrate Pride and Wilde's queer identity with a visit to the Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI) for the museum's new film installation on De Profundis – a love letter Wilde sent to his lover Lord Alfred Douglas during his incarceration. The film presents key passages from the emotional correspondence with the help of prominent LGBTQ+ writers, artists and activists, sharing raw insight into the love the men shared and Wilde as a man and artist.

Museum of Literature Ireland (MoLI), Stephen's Green, Dublin 2 | Friday March 2 - Wednesday October 1 | €14.50.

Media captionDive into the love life of Oscar Wilde.

Want to know what it feels like to perform in one of the city's most intimate venues? Temple Bar's Button Factory is used to welcoming musical performers from around the world, but for this year's Pride Month they are opening the doors of the Crowbar Terrace to the everyman for QUEERaoke Sing it Loud and Proud on June 12. So, make sure your pipes are warmed up and prepare to blow the roof off with your song of choice. 

The Button Factory, Temple Lane South, Dublin 2 | Thursday June 12, 6pm-10pm | €10.09.

The Queer Spectrum Film Festival – Ireland's first film festival dedicated to the stories of LGBTQ+ people of colour and immigrants – is back in the Irish Film Institute (IFI) for the second year in a row. Organisers Queer Asian Pride Ireland are joining in the festival's wider celebration of the Marriage Referendum by considering how the milestone inspired queer immigrants from around the world to settle down in Ireland.

Irish Film Institute, Temple Bar, Dublin 2 | Friday June 13 - Saturday June 14th | €11.40-€15.50.

It's no secret that Dublin has a rich history behind it, but what has been kept pretty hush hush are the many LGBTQ+ figures who were kept behind the scenes. If you want to learn all about them but your boots weren't made for walking, hop on board Vintage Tea Trips' queer history tour of the city. With a finger sandwich in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, listen along to your friendly guide Leah as she points out key details in the city's architecture and shares stories of colourful LGBTQ+ members from Dublin's past. This is an alcohol-free event so feel free to bring the kids along, too.

Vintage Tea Trips, Stephens Green North, Dublin 2 | June 21-22, 11am-12:20pm | Tickets from €15.

Media captionTake in Dublin facts and afternoon tea on the go.

This year, the Gate Theatre welcomes the Dublin Gay Men's Chorus for a special concert, playfully titled "Pride Gatecrashes."  In honour of the campaigners, allies and advocates who fought for marriage equality, the chorus will perform a vibrant mix of songs, from toe-tapping pop chunes to moving ballads. 

Gate Theatre, Dublin 1 | Sunday June 22, 3pm and 6pm | €28.

DJ, activist and archivist Tonie Walsh is a national treasure. He’s been there, marched the long march and shimmered with pride throughout. His breadth and range of knowledge is what makes him such a fascinating guide for this series of walks. Expect passion, scintillating insider information and humour as he guides you through the streets and stories which weave the narrative of our queer past.

Barnardo Square, Dame Street (beside City Hall) | Monday June 23 to Friday June 27, times vary depending on the day | Advance booking advised, €15 - €20.

Media captionGo back in time with Tonie Walsh.

Media creditKieran Rose / Queer Culture Ireland

Waving the Pride flag is one way to support the LGBTQ+ movement, another way is supporting local artists and entrepreneurs within the community. Block off time on your calendar for the Gauche Pride Weekend Market at Wigwam on Middle Abbey Street. The vibey cocktail bar turns into a market on a monthly basis, each time with a different theme — for June, they're showcasing quality jewellery, cool art and more, all made by queer artists and business owners. Tickets are free and everyone is welcome, including your doggo. 

Wigwam, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1 | Sunday June 29, 12pm-5pm | Free.

Media captionWalk with Pride in 2024.

Media credit@sparklesoftly

Donegal-born writer and actor Aoife Sweeney O’Connor is bringing their award-winning play An Evening With Wee Daniel  to the New Theatre stage. Fresh off its sold-out run at the Dublin Fringe Festival, the absurdly funny autobiographical cabaret dives into what it's like growing up queer in Donegal and the county's obsession with wee Daniel O'Donnell. It's a true love letter to Ireland's rural LGBTQ+ community that will have the audience laughing and crying at the same time.  

The New Theatre, Essex Street East, Dublin 2 | Wednesday June 18 - 21, 7pm-8pm | €16-€20.

Mother are the club promoters behind the main Block Party, which will take place in the storied grounds of the National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks. Headline international acts including The Blessed Madonna and Trixie Mattel will glitter bomb alongside a line-up of local talent including Samantha Mumba. 

The cream of drag performers including Avatar Guille, Annie Queeries, Donna Fella and Anziety will be joined by DJs Jamie G, Ghostboy and Glamo. Add in some Drag Aerobics and Sing Along Social and you have all the ingredients for a mighty hoopla.

National Museum of Ireland, Collins Barracks | Saturday June 28, 4pm-11pm | From €54.57.

Vicar Street are hosting their own blowout Pride extravaganza. Bow in the presence of drag royalty at Davina Devine and Victoria Secret's Pride Party on Saturday. Alongside performances by Davina and Victoria, the night will also see stars like JAMELIA, Diana Vickers and Bailey J Mills, with even more acts to be announced. Wear your comfiest dance shoes because it's going to be a late one.

Vicar Street, Thomas Street, Dublin 8 | Saturday June 28, 6pm - 2am | €51.50.

Media captionSpend a colourful night at Vicar Street.

Discover the history of Dublin Pride

In 2024, LGBTQ+ activist and founder of the Irish Queer Archive Tonie Walsh shared his thoughts on 40 years of Dublin Pride.