Plan Your Queer Lesbian Festivals 2025
Newly updated list!
"Where are the lesbians?" You'll certainly find them at some of these lesbian and queer festivals across Europe! When I started my own 'Lesbian Tour' looking for other lesbians, I had no idea so many festivals existed. This selection includes festivals for music, film, dance, comedy, shows, and much more. Do you miss your favourite? Please let me know! If you've attended any of these, share what you think! Leave a comment below so we can spread the word. The festivals are listed by date:
TRICKY WOMEN/TRICKY REALITIES AUSTRIA
The film festival has run annually in March since 2001 and is a unique international festival dedicated to animation by women and genderqueer artists. It features competitions, curated programs (historical/contemporary, global/Austrian), workshops, and networking, showcasing the diverse aesthetics of these creators. It takes place in Vienna and online, 5-9 March.
BFI FLARE: LONDON LGBTQIA+ FILM FESTIVAL, UK
The London LGBTIQ+ Film Festival, formerly the London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival, is Europe's largest LGBTQ+ film festival. Held every spring in London, it began in 1986 showing LGBTQ+ films as "Gay's Own Pictures" before being renamed in 1988. It has a selection of lesbian features, documentaries, and shorts.
Runs between 19 to 30 March 2025.
16th LGBT+ FILM FESTIVAL POLAND 2025
Warsaw – Kinoteka/PKiN, April 4-11
Wroclaw – Kino Nowe Horyzonty, April 11-17
Bytom – BCKino, April 11-17
Gdansk – Kino/IKM, April 11-18
Cracow – Kino Pod Baranami, April 11-17
Konin – Kino Kameralne/CKiS, April 11-13
Lodz – Kino-Galeria Charlie, April 11-17
IMMAGINARIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, ITALY
It is Italy's first International Independent Film Festival dedicated to Lesbian and Feminist themes. Founded in Bologna in 1993 by the Cultural Lesbian Association Visibilia, it showcases international films directed by women, narrating the lives, culture, and history of lesbian and feminist women. The Film Festival runs in Rome from 11 to 13 April.
EL*C CONFERENCE, ROME (Conference)
Celebrate lesbian community, solidarity, and activism. Connect with human rights defenders through feminist discourse and action. Trans-inclusive and welcoming to all who champion lesbian rights. The Eurocentralasian Lesbian* Community (ELC) advocates for lesbian rights, visibility, and well-being across Europe and Central Asia. Founded in 2016, the ELC provides spaces for lesbian voices, influences policy, and conducts research. 23-26 April.
THE DRAMAGOUINE FESTIVAL, FRANCE
The 3rd Dramagouine Festival, a LESBOQUEER celebration for International Lesbian Day of Visibility 2025, takes place April 19-27 in Pantin and Toulouse. The festivals features over 150 Sapphic artists and initiatives. Registration is free (donations appreciated) and open to everyone. Notes: "Dramagouines" combines "Drama" + "Gouine" (reclaimed lesbian/dyke slang); "Adelphes" is gender-neutral French for "siblings"; "Tous.tes" is inclusive French for "all/everyone."
Pantin 19-20 April and Toulouse 26-27 april.
VELVET IBIZA FESTIVAL, SPAIN
Since 2015, Velvet Ibiza has been Europe's largest queer women's festival, offering music, dance, and community on Ibiza's beautiful beaches. The 2025 event is at the Palm Star hotel in San Antonio, 8-12 May.
SICILIA QUEER FILMFEST 2025, ITALY
The festival is held in Palermo and promotes cinematographic culture, fights discrimination, and supports diversity through innovative and non-compliant films. The festival focuses on emerging talent, independent cinema, and experimental forms of expression. May 25th – 31st 2025.
FULANITA FESTIVAL, SPAIN
Fuengirola, Spain, host a celebration of music, art, and community in Fuengirola (Málaga), on the Mediterranean coast. 30 th of May - 1st of June
QUEER RANCH FESTIVAL, GREECE
From May 27-31, enjoy five days of international electronic music DJs, live music, cinema, workshops, beach parties, and more. Extend your trip with a 3-day queer film festival in Skala Eressos' (Lesbos) open-air cinema from June 2-4.
MAGIC NIGHTS QUEER FILM FESTIVAL, GREECE
The Magic Nights Queer Film Festival is held under the stars in an open-air cinema on Skala Eressos, Lesbos. This year features the Brighton International Animation Festival's acclaimed "Queer as F**k" programme. Their selection explores contemporary queer culture – from lesbian plumbers and gender subversion to 1940s Paris drag queens – through international narrative, documentary, and experimental shorts (UK, USA, France, Denmark, and more). June 2-4.
Missing your favorite lesbian/queer festival?
Send us a note about it and why it should be on this list!
SAFFFO FESTIVAL, ITALY
Founded in Rome in June 2022 by Marta Massarelli and Lucy Bellotti, the artistic collective Safffo (three f's) creates independent queer/dyke* spaces, offering an alternative to mainstream LGBTQIA+ nightlife. Safffo's events prioritize consent, freedom of expression, and artistic celebration, challenging stereotypes. They collaborate internationally with collectives like Magic Dyke* (Berlin). It’s a one day festival at the 7th of June.
FEMMAZING FESTIVAL, NETHERLANDS
IJland Amsterdam
This large-scale women+ only festival anticipates thousands of attendees, creating a safe and inclusive space for connection and celebrating femininity. It features at least three stages with diverse music, alongside activities, workshops, lounge areas, food, and cocktails. 8th of June.
THE OUT 6 WILD FESTIVAL, UK
Biggest festival (3 days) for queer women and those who are non-binary in Devon, UK. Dozens of acts featuring queer female/non-binary experts in wellness, music, and comedy. Mostly free events, some bookable from April. Special Pride concert: June 12th. Check for updates!
SHEROCCO FESTIVAL, ITALY
This is a LGBTQIA+ festival in Ostuni, the south of Italy. It aims to promote queer culture, fight prejudice, and create a more inclusive environment. The festival uses events like shows, talks, and workshops, mainly targeting young people, to combat discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. 26-29th of June.
THE INTERNATIONAL WEEK OF FEMØ, DENMARK
Since 1971, Femø Women's Camp has been a global gathering for women on a scenic Danish island. Offering communal living and themed weeks with workshops (yoga, art, etc.), Femø welcomes diverse women, including mothers with children (boys under 12). Starts Saturdays with transport from Copenhagen. Expect community, diversity, and a unique, returning atmosphere. The festival runs from week 26 to 33.
BERLIN LESBIAN & GAY CITY FESTIVAL; GERMANY
Europe's largest Lesbian and Gay Festival, presented by Berlin's Regenbogenfonds e.V., returns to Nollendorfplatz. Explore 5 Festival Worlds (Film, Politics, etc.) and LGBT* organizations. 19-20th of July.
BONITA WOMAN FESTIVAL, BARCELONA, SPAIN
Launched in 2023, Barcelona's Women's Festival is an event created by and for women. It was created from the need to establish a space where women was free to be themselves and express their identities authentically. The festival features a wide variety of national and international artists representing diverse musical styles, alongside sports, gastronomic experiences, artistic displays, and social gatherings. The festival runs between 25-27 of July.
DYKE FESTIVAL, BERLIN, GERMANY
The Dyke* Festival Berlin celebrates dyke* (lesbian, bi, queer, flinta) subculture in all its diversity. Showcasing artists, authors, activists, and thinkers from Berlin, Europe, and beyond. Dates are still to be confirmed. Check for updates.
DYKONIC: QUEER WOMEN + MUSIC FESTIVAL, IRELAND
Run by queer/female volunteers across Europe, Dykonic is an independent festival dedicated to celebrating queer voices and underrepresented artists through music and community. It is in Dublin
August 9th.
LEZART FESTIVAL, FRANCE
22-23 August. Discover emerging lesbian, queer, and feminist artists in a supportive, participatory environment in Vicq-sur-Gartempe. Festive cultural weekend by ARTS et PERSPECTIVES. All are welcome!
ELLA INTERNATIONAL LESBIAN FESTIVAL, SPAIN
7 days of LGBTQ+ culture, music, sports, and art in Majorca. International speakers, workshops, nature, gastronomy, top artists/DJs. Meet queer women and non-binary people from around the world! 29 th of August - 6th of September.
THE INTERNATIONAL ERESSOS WOMEN’S FESTIVAL, GREECE
Hosted by Sappho Women in Skala Eressos, (Lesbos) this 25th-anniversary celebration offers friendship, connection, learning, and empowerment . With live music, dance, art, trips, workshops, and more!
7th-20th of September.
LESBIAN FEMINIST FILMFESTIVAL, GREECE
Kypseli Municipal Market, Athens
This is the 3rd Lesbian Feminist Festival documentary screening exploring the vital role of lesbian* and LGBTQI+ spaces. We'll discuss why preserving these spaces is so important right now, as they face the threat of urban gentrification. Sept 7-8
SOME PREFER CAKE, ITALY
Lesbian filmfestival in Bologna.
Sept 19-21
CINEMA QUEER INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, SWEDEN
Since 2012, it has showcased queer films that challenge norms and broaden cinematic representation beyond the heteronormative. It serves as a platform for Swedish and international LGBTQ+ film, offering year-round events like school screenings and Pride showings. The 2025 festival takes place from 28 September to 5 October.
JANEY FESTIVAL, NETHERLANDS
Contactweg 68, Amsterdam,
Janey Festival, an annual Amsterdam event specifically for women who love women (WLW), meaning lesbian, bisexual, queer women, returns to the Thuishaven venue on October 4th, 2025. The festival celebrates music, love, and freedom. 4th of October
MIX COPENHAGEN LGBTQ+ FILM FESTIVAL, DENMARK
One of the world's oldest LGBTQIA+ film festivals, MIX CPH promotes visibility, diversity, and inclusion through cinema. The non-profit, volunteer-run festival showcases films exploring LGBTQIA+ experiences, fostering community and dialogue on social issues. The festival runs from October 24th to November 2nd.
LESGAICINEMAD: Madrid LGBTIAQ+ INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL, SPAIN
LesGaiCineMad (est. 1996) is Madrid's premier International LGBTQIA+ Film Festival. Annually featuring 100+ films, panels, labs, and industry events, it's a key reference for Spanish-speaking LGBTQIA+ festivals. Runs between 11-23 November.
QUEERTACTICS: QUEER FEMINIST FILMFESTIVAL, AUSTRIA
This festival runs November 12-16 in Vienna. Find further details on their website and Instagram.
OUTBURST QUEER ARTS FESTIVAL, NORTHERN IRELAND
Outburst Queer Arts Festival in Belfast, is a curated week showcasing vital new queer art and culture. The festival focus on work that centres queer ideas and disruptive imagination, engaging with today's necessary conversations about sexuality and gender-personally, politically, and collectively. 14-22 November 2025.
PARIS INTERNATIONAL LESBIAN & FEMINIST FILM FESTIVAL, FRANCE
Focused on lesbian visibility and self-representation, this annual festival showcases films by women directors for/by lesbians. It's a vital platform for diverse lesbian/feminist perspectives often unseen elsewhere, fostering debate and community. Paris: October 30th to November 2nd.
