KyivPride 2026: dates, parade, events

Dates and details about KyivPride 2026 are still TBC.

KyivPride is Ukraine’s largest and most visible LGBTQ+ event, representing both a call for equality and a powerful expression of national resilience. The annual Pride march, organized by KyivPride NGO, has long stood at the intersection of human rights and the country’s broader struggle for freedom and democracy.

While dates and other information about the 2026 edition are still under wraps, we've outlined what you can expect based on recent KyivPride events.

KyivPride 2026: A Platform for Human Rights

The theme for KyivPride 2026 still hasn't been announced, but it's expected to build on what was started last year.

In 2025, KyivPride made a historic return to Kyiv for the first time since the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022. Held under the slogan “Together for Equality and Victory,” the march became a deeply symbolic moment for Ukraine’s LGBTQ+ community and allies. Participants walked through central Kyiv under heavy security, carrying both rainbow flags and Ukrainian flags— uniting two struggles: the fight for national sovereignty and the fight for equality. The event’s advocacy focused on two fronts: securing greater international support for Ukraine’s defense and urging the government to advance legal protections for LGBTQ+ people, including the long-awaited recognition of same-sex partnerships.

The Contrast with Russian-Occupied Territories

KyivPride 2025 also highlighted the courage of LGBTQ+ Ukrainians serving in the armed forces, estimated to represent up to 7% of military personnel. Their visibility at the march underscored the community’s integral role in defending Ukraine’s future.

The contrast with conditions in Russian-occupied territories remains stark, where LGBTQ+ people continue to face severe persecution under Russia’s anti-LGBTQ+ laws. In this context, KyivPride has come to symbolize not only pride and visibility, but also defiance, a statement that Ukraine’s vision of victory includes freedom, diversity, and human dignity.

History and Evolution

KyivPride began in 2012, though the first successful Pride march with significant participation wasn't held until 2016. Since then, it has grown substantially, with the 2021 event (held pre-full-scale invasion) attracting between 5,000-7,000 participants. When Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, KyivPride was forced to adapt. The 2022 event was held in Warsaw, Poland, joining forces with that city's Equality Parade, as martial law in Ukraine prevented large gatherings.