Bern Pride 2025

📍 Bern Pride 2025 is set to take place on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in the heart of Bern, Switzerland.
🎉 The main pride march will kick off at 2:00 PM from the Federal Square (Bundesplatz).
🗓️ A full weekend of celebrations is scheduled from July 11 to 13, featuring concerts, talks, 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, inclusive, and accessible to all.

Bern Pride: A Key LGBTQIA+ Event in Switzerland

Each year, the streets of Bern come alive with color, music, and activism during Bern Pride. Over the years, this Swiss Pride celebration has become a vibrant and essential gathering for LGBTQIA+ individuals, allies, and activists. The 2025 edition promises to be more inclusive, political, and festive than ever.

Set in Switzerland’s capital, Bern provides a meaningful and historical backdrop for a Pride that celebrates expression and pushes for equality. Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning participant, here’s your comprehensive guide to all things Bern Pride 2025.

When and Where: Bern Pride 2025

The main Pride event will be held on Saturday, July 12, 2025. However, the celebration starts on Friday, July 11, with pre-Pride events at various venues across the city. The march begins at 2 PM from Federal Square (Bundesplatz), right in the center of Bern.

Why This Date?

July is Pride season across Europe. In Switzerland, cities like Zurich, Geneva, or Bern take turns hosting the national Pride. For 2025, it’s Bern’s time once again to take center stage.

2025 Theme: “Frei Sein. Sichtbar Sein. Gemeinsam Stark.”

This powerful slogan—“Be Free. Be Visible. Be Strong Together”—highlights the value of individual freedom, visibility for gender and sexual minorities, and the collective strength of the community. The 2025 theme underscores intersectionality and solidarity, shedding light on ongoing struggles, especially for trans, non-binary, BIPOC, and migrant LGBTQIA+ individuals.

What to Expect: The Bern Pride 2025 Program

Bern Pride is more than just a parade—it’s a three-day cultural and activist event filled with highlights.

Friday, July 11: Opening & Culture

• Official opening ceremony at Reitschule, Bern’s iconic cultural hub
• LGBTQIA+ film screenings
• Talks and discussions on human rights, trans issues, queer asylum, and more
• Drag shows and live performances

Saturday, July 12: The Pride March

• Procession begins at 2 PM from Bundesplatz (Federal Square)
• Route passes through key city areas: Bundesgasse, Kornhausplatz, and Kramgasse
• Community booths, activist speeches, and street entertainment
• Live concerts at Kleine Schanze park—entry is free

Saturday Night: The Pride Night

• Official after-party at Gaskessel: queer DJs, drag balls, and techno
• Other LGBTQIA+-friendly events around the city’s clubs and bars

Sunday, July 13: Activist Brunch & Chill

• Community brunch at Elfenau park
• Wellness workshops, queer yoga, and sharing circles

Partner Organizations

Bern Pride 2025 is supported by a strong network of national and local LGBTQIA+ organizations:

• Pink Cross – Gay men’s rights organization
• LOS (Swiss Lesbian Organization)
• TGNS (Transgender Network Switzerland)
• Milchjugend – Queer youth movement
• Queeramnesty – LGBTQ+ branch of Amnesty International Switzerland
• Network, WyberNet, HAZ, and many more

This collaborative and diverse landscape ensures an event that prioritizes inclusion, accessibility, and sustainability.

An Inclusive and Safe Pride

Accessibility

Bern Pride prides itself on creating a welcoming experience for everyone:

• Fully wheelchair-accessible routes
• Sign language interpreters available on site
• Alcohol-free zones for sober and neurodivergent participants
• Info stands for parents of LGBTQIA+ youth

Safety

In partnership with local authorities, organizers have implemented robust safety measures:

• Designated emergency zones
• Visible staff trained for support and guidance
• Support points for victims of harassment or discrimination
• Close cooperation with Bern police to maintain a peaceful environment

Why Attend Bern Pride?

1. Stand Up for LGBTQIA+ Rights

Switzerland made significant progress legalizing same-sex marriage in 2022—but the journey isn’t over:

• Workplace discrimination still exists
• Limited access to legal gender recognition for trans individuals
• Insufficient protection for LGBTQIA+ asylum seekers
• Lack of inclusive sex education in schools

Pride is still a political act.

2. Celebrate Diversity

Above all, Pride is a celebration of individuality, self-expression, and togetherness. It’s a moment filled with joy, glitter, flags, music, and solidarity—a spirited relief in a world that isn’t always inclusive.

3. Experience Bern Like Never Before

As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bern is a stunning city. During Pride, it transforms into a vibrant, open-air stage filled with life. It’s a unique way to explore the city’s charm and culture.

Where to Stay During Bern Pride 2025

Accommodation in Bern fills up quickly during Pride weekend. Here are some recommended options:

• LGBTQ-friendly Hotels:
  • The Bristol Bern
  • Hotel Allegro
  • Kreuz Bern Modern City Hotel
• Hostels:
  • Hostel 77
  • Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke
• Alternative Options:
  • Airbnb apartments
  • Solidarity hosting via Couchsurfing or Stay Queer networks

Book early to secure your spot!

Practical Information

• Languages: German, French, English commonly spoken
• Currency: Swiss Franc (CHF)
• Transport: Excellent tram and bus network. Well-connected by train from Zurich, Geneva, and Lausanne
• Weather: Expect 22–28°C in July. Bring sun protection and be ready for a summer rain shower

Bern Pride and Swiss LGBTQIA+ History

Switzerland has a rich history of LGBTQIA+ advocacy, with the first marches taking place in Zurich during the 1970s. Over the years, national Prides have rotated through major cities like Geneva, Lausanne, Lucerne, Basel, Lugano—and Bern.

Bern Pride began in