Bern Pride 2025
📍 Bern Pride 2025 will take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in the vibrant city center of Bern, Switzerland.
🎉 The official Pride march kicks off at 2:00 PM from Federal Square (Bundesplatz).
🗓️ A full weekend lineup runs from July 11 to 13, featuring live music, discussions, queer parties, and an activist brunch.
🎨 This year’s theme: “Frei Sein. Sichtbar Sein. Gemeinsam Stark.” (Be Free. Be Visible. Be Strong Together.)
💡 The event is free to attend, fully inclusive, and open to all.
Bern Pride: A Cornerstone of LGBTQIA+ Expression in Switzerland
Every year, Bern comes alive with rainbow flags, community spirit, and powerful advocacy during Bern Pride. This Swiss Pride celebration has grown into one of the country’s most influential LGBTQIA+ events, uniting activists, allies, and community members from across Switzerland and beyond. The 2025 edition is gearing up to be more inclusive, outspoken, and vibrant than ever before.
Hosted in the capital city, Bern Pride offers a unique blend of political purpose and cultural celebration. Whether it’s your first Pride or a cherished annual tradition, Bern Pride 2025 promises an unforgettable experience rooted in visibility, solidarity, and joy.
Dates and Location: Bern Pride 2025
The main march takes place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, beginning at 2 PM from Federal Square (Bundesplatz). But the festivities start a day earlier—on Friday, July 11—with a diverse array of pre-Pride events throughout the city.
Why July?
Summer is Pride season across Europe. Each year, major Swiss cities take turns hosting the national Pride event. In 2025, it’s Bern’s chance to shine again, highlighting its commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights and its vibrant community spirit.
Theme 2025: “Frei Sein. Sichtbar Sein. Gemeinsam Stark.”
This year’s theme—“Be Free. Be Visible. Be Strong Together”—calls attention to the power of individual expression and the collective strength of diverse communities. It emphasizes the importance of visibility for trans, non-binary, BIPOC, and migrant LGBTQIA+ individuals. In 2025, Bern Pride continues to promote intersectional solidarity and advocacy for human rights across all identities.
What’s Happening: Bern Pride 2025 Program
More than just a parade, Bern Pride 2025 features three days of events that celebrate culture, community, and resistance.
Friday, July 11: Opening Celebration
- Opening ceremony at Reitschule, Bern’s alternative arts venue
- Queer film screenings and documentary showings
- Panels on LGBTQIA+ rights, migration, and gender identity
- Drag performances and live shows
Saturday, July 12: The Pride March
- March begins at 2 PM from Bundesplatz in central Bern
- Procession winds through key city streets: Bundesgasse, Kornhausplatz, and Kramgasse
- Activist speeches, community stalls, and street performances
- Free live music at Kleine Schanze park throughout the afternoon and evening
Saturday Night: Pride After Dark
- Official after-party at Gaskessel featuring queer DJs, drag balls, and electronic beats
- Queer-friendly events across city bars and clubs
Sunday, July 13: Activism Meets Relaxation
- Activist brunch in Elfenau park—a space for conversations and community bonding
- Wellness offerings like queer yoga, therapy sessions, and group discussions
Our Partners
Bern Pride 2025 is organized in partnership with prominent national and local LGBTQIA+ organizations:
- Pink Cross – advocates for the rights of gay men
- LOS – Swiss Lesbian Organization
- TGNS – Transgender Network Switzerland
- Milchjugend – Switzerland’s largest queer youth group
- Queeramnesty – Amnesty International’s LGBTQ+ division
- Network, WyberNet, HAZ, and others
Together, they help ensure the event is inclusive, accessible, and environmentally conscious.
Accessibility & Safety at Pride
Accessibility
Bern Pride is committed to making the event safe and welcoming for everyone:
- Wheelchair-accessible routes throughout the event
- Sign language interpreters at main events
- Designated alcohol-free and quiet spaces for neurodiverse attendees
- Resource booths for families and allies of queer youth
Safety Measures
In collaboration with the City of Bern and trained volunteers, safety is a top priority:
- Clearly marked emergency zones
- On-site staff trained in conflict resolution and first aid
- Support stations for anyone experiencing discrimination or harassment
- Close coordination with Bern police to ensure a peaceful environment
Why You Should Join Bern Pride 2025
1. Advocate for Equal Rights
Though same-sex marriage became legal in 2022, equality in Switzerland is far from complete:
- Discrimination in housing and employment persists
- Legal gender recognition for trans individuals remains heavily restricted
- Asylum protections for LGBTQIA+ people need reform
- Inclusive sex education is still lacking in many schools
Pride is not just a celebration—it’s a statement.
2. Celebrate Queer Joy
Pride is a powerful expression of love, resilience, and self-affirmation. It brings thousands together in joy, song, dance, and community. It’s your moment to shine, to belong, and to be proudly yourself.
3. Explore Bern in Full Color
Bern, a UNESCO-listed city, offers historic charm, cobblestone streets, and scenic river views. During Pride, it transforms into a city-wide celebration of color, activism, and community. What better way to experience all the beauty Bern has to offer?
Where to Stay During Pride Weekend
Accommodations sell out fast during Pride. Plan ahead with these popular options:
- LGBTQ-friendly Hotels:
- The Bristol Bern
- Hotel Allegro
- Kreuz Bern Modern City Hotel
- Hostels:
- Hostel 77
- Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke
- Alternative Lodging:
- Airbnb stays
- Community-based hosting via Couchsurfing or Stay Queer networks
Reserve early to guarantee your stay.
Travel Tips and Local Info
- Languages: Commonly spoken: German, French, and English
- Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Getting Around: Efficient tram and bus system; direct trains from Zurich, Lausanne, and Geneva
- Weather: July temperatures range from 22–28°C; pack sunscreen and a light rain jacket
Bern Pride in the Context of Swiss LGBTQIA+ Progress
Switzerland’s LGBTQIA+ movement has