One of Europe's most dynamic and popular pride celebrations, London Gay Pride officially takes place at the beginning of July with the Pride London Parade (On July 4, in 2009), but this is actually the culimination of a 15-day Pride London Fortnight that runs throughout the end of June and beginning of July. It's one of the most well-attended such events in the world, drawing more than 500,000 participants.
The Pride London Parade kicks off on July 4 at 1 pm from Baker Street just south of Marylebone Road (near the Baker Street tube stop) and proceeds down Baker, before turning east on Oxford Street, south on Regent Street at Oxford Circus, and then continuing down to its terminus, Trafalgar Square, where there's a Pride Rally running from 2 until 10 pm. Entertainment and speakers will include a mix of notables from the GLBT community. Here's an interactive map of the parade route.
Another feature of Pride London's festival on Saturday are the five entertainment stages set up throughout Soho, including a Main Stage, KU Bar Pop Stage, Women's Stage, Urban Stage, and Dance Stage. The official entertainment lineup for each stage will be posted on London Pride's site about two weeks before the big event.
Numerous gay clubs, hotels, pubs, and restaurants will also be holding events and offering special promotions during London's Gay Pride. Check out About.com London's excellent primer on the London Pride Celebration, as well as such useful gay London resources as GayLondon Online and the Visit London Gay and Lesbian Guide.
