Rooted in the anniversary of the Stonewall riots, London’s Pride parade is one of the biggest events of the city’s cultural calendar, attracting an estimated 1.5 million visitors to its streets every year to platform and celebrate LGBTQ+ communities.

Alongside London’s main parade on 29 June and similar parades across the country, including Liverpool and Brighton, if you’re looking to learn more about the city’s LGBTQ+ history, then be sure to check out these exhibitions and events over the course of the month.

Omnibus Theatre’s 96 Festival

Clapham’s Omnibus Theatre’s 96 Festival – London’s longest-running queer arts festival – includes co-headliners Joe Carstairs and George: two plays that delve into two of history’s most remarkable, yet relatively unknown, queer female figures.

Events throughout June and July; tickets from £10

Proud West End

Returning for a second year, the outdoor audio-visual exhibition champions the stories of the LGBTQ+ community within the heart of London’s West End, amplifying their experiences of overcoming adversity, resilience and pride.

The gallery of ‘living portraits’ located in Grosvenor Square in Mayfair showcases the lived experiences of 11 individuals who will be sharing their personal stories of being part of the West End’s LGTBQ+ community, delving into what ‘proud’ means to them.

Ongoing throughout June; free to visit

British Museum’s Desire, Love, Identity

The British Museum has put together two different treasure hunt trails spotlighting various artefacts and objects that share an interesting link to different aspects of LGBTQ+ history, from Sappho and her ancient Greek poems of lesbian desire to a once-banned Roman wine cup decorated with scenes of male lovers.

Ongoing throughout June and July; free entry

Drag Brunch at Between The Bridges

The monthly Drag Race Brunches are returning to Between The Bridges with a Pride special on Saturday 29 June hosted by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Tayce. You can expect an hour of bottomless bubbly while the DJ has you dancing along to all your favourite party tunes.

29 June; tickets from £28.33

Queer Britain’s Pride Late

Hosting its first ever museum late, Queer Britain (the UK’s first and only LGBTQ+ museum) will stay open for two extra hours, welcoming you to the museum to explore LGBTQ+ history this Pride month.

21 June, 6pm–8pm; free entry

Mimi’s Big Pride Banger

If you’re looking for a good old party this month, look no further than Troxy’s Pride night featuring headline acts such as The Cheeky Girls and non-stop party tunes.

29 June / Tickets from £25

Grills

On a mission to unearth a forgotten gem in Camden’s LGBTQ+ history, this show weaves together the past and the present, the analogue and the digital, and the joys and frustrations of queer community.

“Step back in time to the 80s, where a vibrant community blossomed at the Camden Lesbian Centre and Black Lesbian Group (CLCBLG). Despite Thatcher’s discriminating regime and public protests, this committed group of lesbians came together to protest, party and create space to exist as their true selves… But why have we never heard of it?”

Until 22 June; tickets from £8

Pride of the Royal Opera House

From pioneering composers and choreographers to performances, join the venue’s expert guides in an exploration of queer themes, productions and the rich contributions to the music and theatre made by the LGBTQ+ figures who have helped shape the Royal Opera House.

Until 27 June; tickets £20

Images: Benjamin Graham; Proud West End; courtesy of exhibitions and venues