The world's biggest LGBT pride celebrations - Every year, thousands of people gather in cities all across the globe to celebrate sexual diversity and gender variance. Some of the largest pride events, such as the festival in São Paulo, Brazil, attract millions of people from all over the world.

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Pride celebrations - Various events are held throughout the world, mostly during the summer months, to celebrate the LGBT community, promote visibility, and take a stance against violence and discrimination.

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Maspalomas, Spain - Maspalomas Gay Pride is held in Playa del Inglés in Gran Canaria every year. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Maspalomas, Spain - In addition to the parade, other activities include pool parties, boat excursions, and concerts. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Amsterdam, Netherlands - Amsterdam Pride will take place from July 28 to August 5. Traditionally, the week is closed off with the Canal Parade, a large parade featuring different boats, which this year will be held on Saturday, August 4.

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Amsterdam, Netherlands - At Dam Square, participants can experience live shows, performances, and street parties.

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Antwerp, Belgium - The port town of Antwerp is one of Europe's most gay-friendly cities. What's more, Antwerp hosts an incredible pride celebration.

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Antwerp, Belgium - The week-long festivities include the Antwerp Pride parade, a free open-air party, and a drag show.

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Berlin, Germany - On July 28, Christopher Street Day marks the start of pride festivities. The day is named after and commemorates the Stonewall Riots, which was the first major uprising of the LGBT community against police assaults that took place in New York City in 1969.

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Berlin, Germany - One of the most famous gay prides in Europe unites thousands of people for the annual parade, DJ performances, and other entertainment.

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Madrid, Spain - Orgullo Gay de Madrid takes place in the center of Madrid and is known as the second-biggest pride festival in the world, behind only that of São Paulo, Brazil. In 2017, the city hosted both EuroPride and the global WorldPride.

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Madrid, Spain - The pride parade will take place on July 7 this year. Other festivities include open-air concerts, sporting events, conferences, and parties.

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Oslo, Norway - Every year, the city puts together Pride Park, a pop-up park located in the middle of the city that features 150 small and large events during the 10-day-long celebration.

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Oslo, Norway - LGBT exhibitions, parties, and concerts are featured throughout the festivities, and the parade includes an estimated 30,000 participants and 80 floats.

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Paris, France - Paris Gay Pride takes place every year at the end of June. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Paris, France - Celebrations take place around the clock and include parties, themed balls, and other events all taking place in the gay-friendly district, Le Marais.

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São Paulo, Brazil - The incredible São Paulo Gay Pride Parade is the largest gay pride celebration in the world, uniting around two million people every year in June. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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São Paulo, Brazil - The parade extends 2.5 miles through the city, features themed floats, and is funded by the government. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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London, UK - London's pride festival takes place on Oxford Street and is the city's biggest one-day event of the year.

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London, UK - The parade features around 30,000 participants and is followed by various musical acts and performances.

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New York City, USA - New York City's gay pride festivities take place during the month of June to honor the Stonewall Riots of 1969.

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New York City, USA - The parade features 350 marching organizations, millions of spectators, and over 80 floats. It starts on 36th Street and 5th Avenue and ends at Christopher Street next to the iconic Stonewall Inn.

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Stockholm, Sweden - The annual pride festival held in the capital of Sweden is the largest of its kind in any Scandinavian country.

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Stockholm, Sweden - Workshops, screenings, theatrical plays, and musical shows are just some of the festivities you can take part in here.

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Sydney, Australia - Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras is held during February or March and combines Mardi Gras festivities with gay pride celebrations.

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Sydney, Australia - Costumes, pop stars, and parties bring in thousands of guests from far and wide.

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Tel Aviv, Israel - The hub of Tel Aviv's pride week is Hilton Beach by the Mediterranean Sea.

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Tel Aviv, Israel - Featuring a rotating schedule of musical artists and DJs, the celebrations unite both locals and visitors. 

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Toronto, Canada - Toronto Pride takes place in June and features three annual pride parades and marches–the Dyke March, Trans March, and Pride Parade–along with streets packed with onlookers.

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Toronto, Canada - Most events take place in Church-Wellesley Village, which is considered Toronto's gay village. Expect live performances and a fun street fair.

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