Kharkiv Pride 2026: dates and events

KharkivPride 2026 is expected to return in September, continuing one of the most significant and courageous Pride events in Europe. Held in a city still living with the realities of war, KharkivPride has become a powerful expression of LGBTQ+ visibility, civic resistance, and solidarity with Ukraine’s wider fight for freedom.

While official dates for 2026 have not yet been announced, the event is anticipated to follow the late summer or early autumn timing seen in recent years.

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

Remembering LGBTQ+ Defenders

One of the most moving moments of KharkivPride is the community commemoration honoring LGBTQ+ soldiers who have lost their lives defending Ukraine. This gathering serves as a space for remembrance and collective strength, recognising those whose fight for equality and national freedom were inseparable. It is both solemn and resolute, reinforcing the place of LGBTQ+ people within Ukraine’s ongoing struggle.

AutoPride: Visibility Through Adaptation

Instead of a traditional march, KharkivPride is known for its AutoPride car rally. Decorated vehicles travel through the city in a coordinated convoy, offering a visible and symbolic presence while prioritising participant safety. The rally transforms Pride into a moving statement of endurance, ensuring LGBTQ+ voices remain seen and heard despite the constraints of wartime conditions.

Pride With a Purpose

Running alongside the main programme, KharkivPride typically includes a fundraising campaign supporting Ukraine’s Defense Forces. Donations raised during Pride week are directed to those on the front lines, closely linking LGBTQ+ rights with the broader defence of the country. This connection has become a defining element of KharkivPride’s identity.

Pride as Protest and Promise

KharkivPride has consistently demonstrated that visibility is possible even under invasion, working in coordination with local authorities and police to deliver safe, meaningful events. In Kharkiv, Pride remains both an act of protest and a statement of belief in the future. It reflects a city and a community refusing to disappear.