Christopher Street Day Berlin (CSD)

A political demonstration that became Berlin's biggest summer festival

Christopher Street Day commemorates the Stonewall riots in New York in 1969 – the uprising of gay, lesbian, and trans people against a police raid on Christopher Street. In Berlin, people have taken to the streets every year since June 30, 1979. Back then, there were 450; today, there are a million.

Two days for the first time – the 2026 format

In 2026, Berliner CSD e.V. is expanding the format. Instead of a single parade day, there will be two main program points: On Friday, July 24, a six-hour rally at the Brandenburg Gate (6–11 p.m.) with political speeches, queer performances, and music. On Saturday, July 25, the actual parade starts at 12 p.m. at the corner of Leipziger Straße/Spittelmarkt.

The route

The parade leads from Leipziger Straße via Potsdamer Platz, Bülowstraße, and Nollendorfplatz – the historic queer Schöneberg, where Christopher Isherwood set his "Berlin Stories" – continuing to the Victory Column and ending on Straße des 17. Juni in front of the Brandenburg Gate with a large closing rally. Several hours of vehicle parade, hundreds of trucks, music from all imaginable sound systems.

The motto: "Attitude is hot"

The CSD remains political. The 2026 motto refers to the shift to the right in Germany, to growing attacks against queer people, and to the claim to take a visible stand. Demands will be formulated on the sound trucks: against hate crime, for same-sex family rights, against the repeal of the Self-Determination Act, for asylum rights for queer refugees.

Berlin as a Pride city

During Pride Month in July, Schöneberg, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg, and Mitte fill up with events: Pride Weeks, drag brunches, film nights, a boat parade on the Spree (CSD on the Spree). The main CSD on July 25 is the most visible day – free entry, everyone welcome.