Catania Pride

The Pride of the Etnean city

Catania Pride is the most important event for the Sicilian LGBTQ+ community and one of the most attended public gatherings in the city. Every summer, the historic center of Catania is filled with rainbow flags, floats, music, and festive processions that demand rights, freedom, and equality. The event is part of the national Onda Pride network, which coordinates dozens of Pride events across Italy between spring and autumn.

A twenty-five-year history

The roots of the Catania Pride go back to 1994, when activists from Arcigay Pegaso organized the first pride celebration in the city center. Six years later, in 2000, the first true parade was held: since then, Catania Pride has grown into a human tide of thousands. The 2025 edition celebrated its twenty-fifth anniversary, a sign of a movement now deeply rooted in the city's fabric.

The parade and the route

The heart of the event is the grand parade on Saturday afternoon, which traditionally starts from Piazza Cavour in the late afternoon and travels along the central Via Etnea, the Baroque artery that cuts through the city toward the volcano. Along the way, floats, music, and performances alternate with stops for political speeches before reaching the monumental squares of the center. It is a colorful and joyful parade, but also explicitly political: every year, the Pride manifesto addresses themes such as trans rights, anti-fascism, inclusion, and the fight against all forms of discrimination.

More than just a parade

Catania Pride is not limited to a single day. In the days leading up to the parade, the Pride Village hosts workshops, debates, meetings, and concerts, turning into a space for discussion and social interaction open to the entire city. Drag shows, beach parties, and cultural initiatives lead up to the main event, following the slogan that has guided the festival for years: "Pride is not just one day, it's all year round."

A self-funded event

A distinctive feature of the Etnean Pride is its independent nature: the event is largely self-funded by the community and associations, without major corporate sponsors. This grassroots character strengthens its militant identity and its bond with the territory, making Catania Pride a deeply felt and widely supported event throughout Sicily.

An event for Catania and Sicily

Included in the Onda Pride calendar, Catania Pride attracts participants from the entire province of Catania and the whole region, helping to make the city a reference point for civil rights in Southern Italy. Between the Baroque charm of the city and the energy of the rainbow community, the Catania Pride is now one of the most vibrant and defining events of the Sicilian summer.