Christopher Street Day Soest — CSD Kreis Soest

A Young Pride Tradition in Westphalia

Christopher Street Day Soest is a young CSD in the Soest district – the first edition in 2025 established a tradition that celebrates its second edition in 2026. The organizer is the alliance 'Soest ist bunt', which brings together local associations, initiatives, church communities, and private individuals into a CSD working group. The chosen date – June 27, 2026 – deliberately refers to June 28, 1969, the beginning of the Stonewall Uprising in New York and thus the origin of the modern Christopher Street Day.

CSD and Bürgerschützenfest on the Same Day

A Soest specialty: The CSD takes place parallel to the traditional Bürgerschützenfest happening at the same time – one of the city's largest and oldest Volksfeste (public festivals). A remarkable consensus between both organizers: The two very different festival cultures 'coexist peacefully, respectfully, and enrich the city's community' – a politically valuable signal in Germany that tradition and queer visibility can coexist.

2026 Program

The CSD program is based on the model of the first edition: Demonstration through the historic Soest old town, followed by a street festival with a stage program, information booths from local organizations (Aidshilfe, queer youth groups, church acceptance initiatives, trade unions), performances by DJs and local artists, and discussion formats. The detailed program and route will be published promptly by the 'Soest ist bunt' alliance.

Soest — A Hanseatic City with Young Self-Confidence

Soest is one of the most beautiful Hanseatic cities in Westphalia (state of North Rhine-Westphalia): a medieval city center with the three large churches St. Petri, St. Patrokli, and St. Maria zur Wiese, a city wall with ramparts, and sandstone architecture. The district capital with its 50,000 inhabitants has been an attraction for tourism for decades (Allerheiligenkirmes, Bördetag) – now also as the location of a growing Pride event. The CSD signals: Soest is not only historical but also conscious of the present.

Success of the First Edition

In 2025, over 1,000 people participated in the first CSD Soest – a clear statement for a city of this size. The alliance emphasizes that 'progress in the queer movement benefits the majority of society but is not a given' – visibility and solidarity remain important.