Celebrate Pride and use your points to get there

It’s almost June, and you know what that means: Pride is right around the corner. With dozens of celebrations around the globe throughout the summer, there are so many festivals to choose from, whether you’re staying stateside or traveling abroad. WorldPride, considered to be a global capital of Pride, is held in a different destination each year. This year, the WorldPride party kicks off in Amsterdam on July 25. 

Pride celebrations commemorate the June 28, 1969 Stonewall Uprising, which followed police harassment at the Stonewall Inn in New York City. Queer people fought back in a protest that lasted for six days. A year later, protestors met at the Stonewall Inn and marched to Central Park, and the very first Pride parade was born. Today, Pride is an open, accepting, loving, and positive event, but it’s still deeply rooted in activism by and for the LGBTQ+ community. 

No matter where you choose to celebrate, using points or miles for your flight lets you save money for meals, hotels, and experiences once you arrive. Since Pride happens during peak summer travel season — and fuel costs are on the rise — it’s a smart moment to save on airfare. 

Pride getaways don’t have to cost a fortune

Award travel means you can have once-in-a-lifetime experiences for pennies on the dollar. While we often think of business class long-haul flights or suites at The Ritz-Carlton as our aspirational trips, points and miles are incredibly flexible and can be used for all kinds of trips. 

If you’re traveling for a specific event during a busy time of year, as is the case with Pride, cash flights tend to be expensive. Points and miles tend to be more immune to market factors that raise prices, especially if you fly an airline that uses a fixed award chart. 

For instance, a nonstop from New York (JFK) to Amsterdam (AMS) on KLM might cost just 16,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points, and you’d arrive a few days before the WorldPride march and closing concert. You’re saving hundreds of dollars, if not more, by using points for your flight. 

To get to Europe, take advantage of Flying Blue Promo Rewards, which offer fantastic rates on transatlantic flights. If you’re staying in the U.S., look beyond the major domestic airlines if you want to get the best deal. For instance, Virgin Atlantic Flying Club offers great rates on domestic Delta flights — often far cheaper than you’d find using Delta SkyMiles. 

The best Pride celebrations around the world

Traveling for Pride has never been easier. Use point.me’s interactive Pride travel hub to find award flight deals to top Pride festivals all over the world. First, enter your origin city and pick from the suggested Pride destinations. You’ll automatically see the best award flight deals (and their cash equivalents) to get there. Don’t worry — recommended flights arrive one to two days before the festival, so you can rest up before the party begins. 

São Paulo (June 3-7)

You’ll need to act quickly to visit São Paulo for Pride, as the main parade happens on June 7, 2026. It’s one of the biggest events in the world, routinely bringing in anywhere from three to five million people. This year’s theme, “The street calls. The ballot box confirms,” celebrates 30 years of Pride in São Paulo. 

Los Angeles (June 14)

Three of the biggest Pride celebrations in the U.S. and Canada — New York, San Francisco, and Toronto — happen on the same weekend. Luckily, LA Pride missed this memo, and it will happen a few weeks earlier on June 14. The theme this year is “Rise With Pride,” celebrating a community that continues to rise throughout challenges. 

Sydney (June 21-30)

Sydney Pride runs from June 21 to June 30. Keep in mind that the month of June falls in  Australia’s winter, so you’ll want to pack a jacket. This year’s theme, “Connected in Colour” celebrates the 15th anniversary of Pride in Sydney.

New York City (June 28)

It doesn’t get more iconic than New York City Pride, which happens on June 28, 2026. This year’s theme is “For All of US,” which promotes activism and inclusivity for every member of the LGBTQ+ community. 

San Francisco (June 27-28)

San Francisco is one of the most popular queer hubs in the country, so it’s no surprise that it hosts a stellar Pride festival culminating on June 28. Join for two days of resistance and joy and stay for the various activations, ranging from cheerleading performances to a community street fair. 

Toronto (June 28)

Also on June 28 is Toronto Pride — the largest celebration in Canada and the second largest in the world. If you want to extend your trip, there are tons of celebrations leading up to Pride, including a pool party with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” Season 18 contestants Juicy Love Dion and Athena Dion. 

Madrid (July 1-5)

Madrid hosts one of the biggest Pride celebrations in Europe, and the world. This year, the parade will be hosted on July 4. This is the perfect celebration if you already have a couple of days off for the Fourth of July holiday. You can normally snag great award flights with Iberia, Spain's flagship carrier.

Amsterdam (July 25-August 8)

Amsterdam is hosting WorldPride 2026, so if you have to choose one global festival, this is the one. The Amsterdam Pride march will take place on July 25, with the WorldPride march on August 8. If you work remotely, you can enjoy several weeks of celebrations. This year’s event focuses on unity, and the themes of love, connectedness, and tolerance. 

Taipei (October 31)

One of the last major Pride parades for 2026 will be in Taipei on October 31, 2026. Taiwan was the first country in Asia to legalize same sex marriage, and though celebrations here are on a smaller scale, Taipei Pride hosts the largest Pride parade in Asia. 

Bottom Line

There’s truly nothing like Pride. It’s a time to celebrate love and acceptance, while also advocating for equality for everyone. Luckily for travelers, points and miles put these celebrations within reach, and without spending a lot of money. For inspiration on where to go and how to get there, check out point.me’s interactive deals dashboard for Pride 2026.