The Copenhagen Pride parade 2025 gathered around 20,000 participants on Saturday, filling the Danish capital with rainbow flags, glitter and music.
According to Pride spokesperson Benjamin Hansen, approximately 8,000 people had registered in advance, but the actual turnout was once again much higher.
Record turnout strengthens Pride visibility
Last year, between 15,000 and 20,000 people joined the march. Hansen told TV 2 Kosmopol that this year’s strong support throughout the week suggested even greater participation. The parade started at Frederiksberg City Hall (Frederiksberg Rådhus) at 13:00 and wound its way through central Copenhagen.
Danish political leaders take part in the march
Among those present were Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen (Socialdemokratiet) and Minister for Equality Magnus Heunicke (Socialdemokratiet), who joined the celebrations along the route.
Frederiksen had also attended the Pride parade in 2024, while her predecessor in the equality ministry, Marie Bjerre (Venstre), chose not to participate following controversy over Pride’s sponsorship policy concerning companies’ activities related to Israel and Palestine.
Sponsorship controversies and political debate
The 2024 announcement that all Pride sponsors would be asked about their activities and interests in Israel and Palestine sparked political reactions. Some sponsors subsequently withdrew, arguing that the policy placed them in a political dispute beyond the scope of LGBTQ+ rights.
The issue has remained part of the public debate in 2025, with organisers underlining that transparency in sponsorship is key to maintaining Pride’s credibility.
Pride’s growing role in Nordic equality debates
Copenhagen has hosted Pride parades since the late 1990s, and the event has expanded in both size and political relevance.
The strong turnout in 2025 underscores the city’s role as a Nordic hub for diversity and inclusion, with expectations that participation will continue to grow in the coming years.
