CSD Kempten / Allgäu Pride

Pride in the Allgäu — a young movement with a clear voice

The CSD Kempten / Allgäu Pride is one of the youngest Pride events in Southern Germany — the first edition took place in 2025, the 2nd edition is scheduled for August 1, 2026. In the traditionally conservative Southern German region of Allgäu, the CSD marks an important statement for queer visibility, diversity, and solidarity — supported by Allgäu Pride e.V., the volunteer-run organizing association.

"Colorful, not just mountainous"

The association's self-image is concisely summarized by its motto: "The Allgäu should not only be mountainous, but also colorful." Or, put another way: "The Allgäu is a home for everyone — and together we make it happen!" With this, the Pride explicitly positions itself as part of a broader societal discourse on tolerance, acceptance, and anti-discrimination in rural and small-town Southern Germany.

Kempten as the venue

With almost 70,000 inhabitants, Kempten is the largest city in the Allgäu and its cultural, economic, and administrative capital. Kempten's city center, with its pedestrian zone, Hildegardplatz, and the historic Residenz complex, provides the stage for the Pride parade and the central rally. The city is increasingly developing into a regional hub for queer visibility and solidarity in the Southern German area.

Format: Demonstration, Parade, and Rally

Like many CSDs, the format combines three elements: a demonstration with a political message, a parade with trucks, banners, and festive staging, and a central rally with speeches, live performances, and interactive activities. In addition, there are family and diversity stands from local organizations, counseling services, queer artists, and a supporting program.

Allgäu Pride Month — from August 1st to mid-September

The CSD Kempten is not isolated but serves as the kick-off for the Allgäu Pride Month. Between August 1st (CSD Kempten) and September 12th (CSD Kaufbeuren), queer events take place throughout the region — from small pub quizzes, drag shows, film nights, and workshops to the Pride Week from September 5th to 13th, with concentrated events around the CSD Kaufbeuren. Thus, Allgäu Pride e.V. bundles the queer visibility of the entire region into a cohesive festival month.

Education and Engagement

Beyond the Pride events, Allgäu Pride e.V. is involved in school workshops promoting diversity and anti-discrimination work, in recruiting members, and in networking with other Pride initiatives in Southern Germany (Memmingen, Ravensburg, Schongau, Bregenz). Several thousand sympathizers already participated in the first edition in Kempten in 2025.