Gay Pride in June

The Catalans are a proud nation, and the Gay and Lesbian Community is also proud and perhaps more welcomely received than in other areas around Europe. And for that reason, Pride Barcelona is running into its third year and ready to shout from the rooftops. The main events actually run at the end of this month, but there are more events starting as early as the weekend of the 18th - co-inciding with the Sonar Festival.



Heavily supported by both the council and many local businesses and charities, there is a lot of fun planned. From taking over tibidabo theme park, to the march from Plaça Universitat back to Plaça Espanya, foam parties and endless events around the city, there is something for everyone. Make up for kids, drag queen parades, even pets are getting involved this year, which looks fantastic!

One of the main areas to be used is the Fira de Barcelona outdoor space on Av Maria Cristina (between the two pencils, right?) - with basketball courts, circus acts, face painting, acrobats and dancers, and plenty of serious education material about STDs, HIV, etc. etc. And there are many other spots around the city and GaiEixample to embrace the movement so keep your eyes and ears open for those impromptu events. Full details and programme can be seen on the web.

Are you planning on attending any of the events or even offering yourself as a volunteer? Let me know in the comments...

And if you're stuck for accommodation in the city, check out these Barcelona apartments from BCN Rentals.

Barcelona Circuit Festival

This Saturday sees the first of two of the biggest festivals to hit Barcelona this summer - Barcelona Circuit Festival. This is a Gay and Lesbian Festival, which lasts a whopping 8 days and is organised by the gurus of Barcelona fiestas, Matinee group. Taking in over 9 venues across the whole week, this proves to be one huge party, in some of the city's best known haunts, such as DBoy, Souvenir, Salvation, Martin's Disco, The swimming Pools at Hospitalet, Illa Fantasia Water Park, Razzmatazz, Row 14, and the Olympic Pavilion in Badalona. And that's just the boy's events!

Organisers have rounded up some of the best DJ's from Europe and the world - ex-residents of Ibiza, London, Paris, and other top nightspots around the world for what looks to be an incredible, non-stop party. The programme starts in DBoy on Saturday night, and continues well into Sunday noon at Souvenir. Sleep needed, I'm sure, after midnight kicks off at Salvation again on Sunday evening. Various water parks are involved mid week, after the success of Matinee's Summer Festival in June.

The party of all parties culminates on the 8th August, with a real all-nighter! The Olympic Stage in Badalona - usual concert venue for the likes of Oasis and Coldplay in recent years, will see a sea of finely-toned, tanned (if a little knackered from such a hard week partying) males take over the pavilion for what looks to be THE party of the week. An envious line up, live acts and many surprises will make you want to party more till Brazilian Souvenir night, and the final "La Leche" beach party down at Atlantida. If you guys can keep up with that week, you'll surely need the rest of August off to recuperate!

Anyone going to Circuit week? Please let me know and leave comments if you're going, I'd love to hear from you.

For more information on the city, see this great Barcelona Guide. And if you're in need of accommodation for the festival, check out these apartments for rent in Barcelona with BCN Rentals.