The Local's Guide to Pride

Scandinavia's biggest gay pride festival starts building to a climax on Thursday, with the popular Schlager evening in "Pride Park" outside Stockholm's Maritime Museum. We guide you through the highlights of a long weekend of partying, with just a little politics thrown in.

• What's On July 30th to August 31st (28 Jul 10)
• Art collective reaches out beyond gay audience (28 Jul 10)
• Pride flash mob takes over Sergels torg (28 Jul 10)

Thursday

2pm-1am: Sing your heart out at the Karaoke tent in Pride Park. The best contestants will compete for a spot in the Swedish National Karaoke Championship. A ticket is required for entrance to Pride Park unless you have a weekly pass. Learn more

7pm-11:30pm: The most popular concert of the festival - the Schlager evening. With lots of catchy Swedish ditties and former Eurovision winners, this concert is always guaranteed to pull in the crowds. The first part of the evening, until 9pm, will be dominated by classic Swedish schlager singers from days of yore. The second half, starting at 9:55pm, will have a more poppy, contemporary feel. To enter, buy a day pass for Thursday at 400 kronor. Learn more

10pm-3am: Party time. Put your dancing shoes on and celebrate at the Girl’s Party at Le Bon Palais. The party is hosted by the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights and will feature three dance floors, karaoke and 1,500 guests. All genders are welcome, but there is a cover of 200 kronor at the door or 185 kronor with a prepaid ticket. Learn more

Friday

1pm-6pm: Get cultural and check out Gardet's new art exhibit at Galleri Kocks in Södermalm right near Medborgarplatsen. The mixed media exhibit has something to please everyone's taste. Free entry. Learn more

2pm-10pm: Play dress-up while learning something, too. Visit the Maritime Museum's exhibit Uniforms, Norms, and Power. Try on different uniforms, and if you so desire, have your picture taken and be part of a slideshow. Entrance is free with a Pride ticket. Learn more

9pm-10pm: Giddy-up! Grab your chaps, boots, and cowboy hats for a line dance party hosted by A Six-Pack To Go, Stockholm's best country-western club. Located in Pride Park, festival ticket required for entry. Learn more

Saturday

1pm: The Pride Parade. A colorful mix of a party, parade, demonstration, the Pride Parade can be anything you want it to be. Come down and check it out, everyone is welcome. The route is new this year, but will leave 1pm from Tantolunden and go across the entire city. Learn more

10pm-12am: Celebrate the Parade Gala with great acts like Therese, Le Kid, Love Generation, Ola Joyce, Rebound, Babsan and Dark Ladies, among others. At Pride Park, festival ticket required. Learn more

10pm-5am: Hit up the after-party, which goes all night at Göta Källare. Clean Event is organizing a wild party, with live performances and tons of DJs. 140 kronor prepaid ticket, 200 kronor at the door. Learn more

Sunday

3pm-11pm: Nurse the previous night's hangover and weary feet by cuddling up at Södra Teatern's film festival. Free entrance. Learn more

11pm-5am: One last hurrah. Celebrate Pride's last day and dance the night away with a huge Sunday night closing party hosted by Kolingsborg. Entrance is free. Learn more

Visit the Stockholm Pride website for more detailed information about the festival and the many events going on around town.

Emy Gelb