Madrid is gearing up to once again celebrate one of the biggest gay pride events in the world. From July 1st – July 5th Spain's capital will be awash with rainbow flags as locals and tourists enjoy a weekend of partying and celebrating the ten year anniversary of gay marriage in Spain. 

Ironically, Madrid's pride celebrations are among the least “gay” of all the major prides, as locals and foreigners, whatever their sexuality, come together for one of the biggest fiestas of the year. 

The parade (Saturday July 4th, 6pm – 12 midnight) 

Photo: AFP

On Saturday July 4th, an estimated two million people from all over Madrid, Spain and the rest of the world will take to the streets of the capital for the biggest pride parade in Europe. Starting at Atocha station, the parade will march north down the Paseo del Prado to the Plaza de Colón.

A living legend performs (Friday night, July 3rd, 1am) 

Photo: Michael Alo-Nielsen/Wikimedia

If there’s one reason to go to this year’s Pride, this is it. The last few editions of Madrid Pride have booked performances from the likes of Kylie Minogue and Conchita Wurst, but this year’s main event could top them all as eighties icon Rick Astley takes to the stage. The “Never Gonna Give You Up” crooner will perform as part of Friday’s lineup at the Plaza de Callao, taking to the stage at 1am.

Stiletto Race (Thursday July 2nd, 6pm) 

Photo: AFP

Mr Gay Pride 2015 (Friday July 3rd, 8pm – 2.30am) 

Photo: mrgaypride.es

WE Closing Party (Sunday July 5th, 6am – 6pm) 

Photo: wepartyontour.com

Running from 6pm on Sunday July 5th until 6am the next morning, at La Riviera in La Latina, the monumental last hurrah of Pride is arguably the most euphoric of the festival’s many parties.

Click here for the full programme

Don't forget to tag #thelocalspain on Instagram or Twitter to share your photos from Madrid Pride.

Compiled by Rory Jones