Pride in 2025 sits at a crossroads. As populist politicians and right-wing media stoke hostility, the need for Pride as a space of celebration, resistance, and community is more urgent than ever. But balancing inclusivity with financial sustainability is a growing challenge.
A role model? Take a peek across the Pyrenees to the Catalan town of Sitges.
Long a beloved LGBTQ+ hub in Europe, Sitges hosts a Pride each June that isn’t just in CNN’s Top 5 Prides globally but is also a beacon of accessibility, inclusion, and joy. Unlike bigger-city parades, Sitges keeps it simple: free to attend, locally led, and deeply rooted in town life. The result? A Pride that feels more genuine and emotionally resonant than many ticketed, sponsor-heavy festivals.
I’ve celebrated Pride in Sitges twice, and what strikes me most is the absence of that usual tourist distance. You feel like you belong the moment you arrive. That’s no accident. Sitges’ free-entry model ensures locals, families, and international visitors all join in without friction. With an estimated €17 million economic benefit and hotel occupancy hitting 92% (compared to the 70% summer average), Sitges proves that Pride built on inclusion and community can be both powerful and profitable.
Where Pride Still Belongs to the People
The difference is clear the moment you step into the Pride Village beside the Mediterranean. Unlike many major festivals, there’s not a towering brand logo in sight. Sponsors fund the event – and are welcomed – but they are deliberately kept them in the background.
The Sunday parade along the seafront features exclusively local performers, grassroots groups, and small businesses who take centre stage. The Village line-up features drag artists and tribute acts but no A-List stars.
That’s intentional.
Billed as ‘The Only Pride in Europe Offering a Friday Programme of Free Open-Air Concerts,’ the event prioritises accessibility over star power. Entry is free, not just to the concerts, but also to the 25+ LGBTQ+ bars and clubs spread across town.
Locals are fiercely proud of this approach. Last year, I sat next to an elderly couple at Parrots Bar who told me they host their extended family every Pride Sunday for lunch, then watch the parade with an apertivo at their favourite gay-owned café on the seafront. They’ve also started attending Pride’s annual family day, which their grandkids consider ‘second place only to Christmas’ in how much they look forward to it.
This spirit of inclusion defines Sitges. Straight locals frequent LGBTQ+ venues without a second thought. On our final night in 2023, my friend Matt shared his thoughts over a drink:
“I love the openness…it’s just different. At home, you wouldn’t see straight families with kids sitting at a gay bar. In Sitges, you do. Everywhere.”
That quote says it all: inclusivity feels real because that’s exactly what it is.
A Destination with Depth
Pride becomes powerful when it’s rooted in its location. Sitges has the distinct advantage of sitting on 17 sandy beaches, a starlit promenade, and a charming old town. The town shows off its culture proudly during Pride with a demonstration of the traditional sardana dance preceding the main parade and providing showcases for the Catalan language.
The town also cleverly markets the destination as much as Pride events, encouraging visitors to linger, turning a weekend into a multi-night stay. Activities promoted include hiking in the hillside Garraf Park, cultural walking tours and Malvasia wine tastings by the sea. Sitges’ compact centre ensures local restaurants, shops, bars, and kiosks benefit directly during Pride. Many fly rainbow and Catalan flags side by side, echoing the local tourism board’s #sitgesanytime message.
Queer life in Sitges isn’t seasonal, it’s woven into daily rhythms throughout the year. Alongside over 20 LGBTQ+ owned venues, events like Carnival (Feb/March), Bear Week (Sept) and the International Film Festival (October) keep the town lively well beyond Pride.
Real Money, Real Impact
Sitges has no hesitation in highlighting the strong business case for Pride. The five-day celebration generates €17 million, with a further €8.5 million coming from wedding tourism, much of it from same-sex couples.
The Pride format pays clear dividends, as Sitges mayor Aurora Carbonell explains:
“The average spend per person during Sitges Pride [is] €257, almost 50% higher than other events.”
These aren’t vague estimates, they’re concrete figures that justify public and private investment, including support services for the LGBTQ+ community. Pride should never be profit-led, but showing how it benefits local business only strengthens its case.
Why Sitges Matters…and What It Proves
Sitges Pride is a proof of concept: it shows that free entry increases participation, local control preserves identity, and by prioritising authenticity over branding, Pride becomes part of daily life, not just an annual event. The results speak for themselves: it’s not tokenism, it’s smart, inclusive economics.
Critically, this model is scalable: invest in permanent LGBTQ+ venues and events, use data to track impact, market the full destination to LGBTQ+ travellers, and keep Pride open and accessible. Even major cities can edge closer by cutting paywalls, handing over creative control, and viewing Pride as a cultural asset, not a financial risk.
True belonging doesn’t require a ticket. Sitges proves that when Pride is built on inclusion, everyone wins.
Getting There and Maximising Your Time
Getting there is easy. From Barcelona, it’s an easy 30-minute journey from Sants Station with R2 Sudregional train (about €5/£4.20). From the airport, it’s a 45-minute bus ride (€8 – c. £6.40 – cash only).
To get your Sitges trip started, here are five of my favourite LGBTQ+ owned or welcoming locations.
· Parrots Pub & Terrace: spritzes, sunsets and A+ people watching.
- Boys Bar laid-back vibe, great cocktails and chilled house music
- Queenz Cabaret Restaurant dinner with year-round full drag performances – heckle at your own risk
- L’Angle D’Adriana A quieter polished option, enjoyed by couples of all persuasions. Excellent value set menu.
- La Salseta Catalan-Mediterranean, wide selections of wine and superb deserts
Words By Phil Thomas, Travel Blogger Someone Else’s Country (Instagram @exploresomeoneelsescountry)
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