Chicago, Illinois

The Windy City became one of the first in the U.S. to hold a gay pride parade — hosting theirs on June 27, 1970, a year after the Stonewall riots in New York City, a key moment in the LGBT social movement. Chicago was named to Expedia's 2018 list of the 18 most LGBTQ-friendly cities around the world, based on history of activism, protection laws, LGBTQ-friendly establishments, neighborhoods, business practices and its ability to throw a rocking good (and open) party. While you're there, see some of the places recommended by Visit Chicago's LGBTQ+ itinerary. The Chicago pride calendar includes both the Chicago Pride Fest, which will be held June 16-17, and the Chicago Pride Parade on June 24.

Mexico City, Mexico

The country's capital city is celebrating the 40th anniversary of its first pride parade this year. Mexico City has an active and growing LGBT population that enjoys the gay nightlife district of the centrally located Zona Rosa, home to great restaurants and popular nightclubs. This year's Pride March will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2018, starting at the Angel of Independence and passing through iconic spots in the city including the Monument to Cuauhtémoc, the Palace of Fine Arts then ending in the Zócalo, Mexico City's main square.

New York City, New York

The Stonewall Riots of 1969 in this city kicked off the beginning of the modern gay rights movement. New York-based nonprofit Heritage of Pride plans and produces the city's official LGBT pride events every year. This year, the festivities kick off June 14 with the Human Rights Conference, a gathering of activists, artists, educators, journalists, policymakers, students and others engaged in LGBTQIA+ human rights around the world to discuss human rights through performances, presentations, politics and policies. Other events include OutCinema, Cosplay & Pride and Youth Pride, culminating with the March — featuring grand marshal Billie Jean King — on Saturday, June 24. The NYCGo.com website has an entire section that includes itineraries, the latest events and the scoop on great nightlife, dining, shopping and entertainment for LGBTQ visitors.

Denver, Colorado

Denver also made the Expedia list for several reasons, including the fact that the city's first gay bar, The Pit, opened in 1939. This year's annual Denver PrideFest, to be held on June 16-17, is one of the biggest parades in the country. While you're there, Visit Denver has built the perfectthree-day weekend itinerary for those who want to go beyond the pride festivities, with stops in places like historic Capitol Hill, the Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and the Denver Art Museum.

Houston, Texas

Pride Houston, celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2018, is pulling out all the stops this year with 10 Days of Pride events from June 14-24. Things kick off with a Grand Marshal Reception where parade leaders will be honored. Other events include the finals of the Pride Superstar singing contest, artist Jumper Maybach's Gallery Show, the Salvation pool party and the Rainbow on the Green drag show. It culminates in the 40th annual Pride parade on June 23, with 700,000 participants from around the world expected to attend and ends with a Pride after-party. Check out the favorite spots of LGBTQ locals you may want to visit.

London

Great Britain's capital city will be celebrating its LGBTQ community from June 9 through July 7. The annual Pride Festival, which has doubled in size since 2015, will offer a wide variety of entertaining, thought-provoking, social and engaging events with performances to be held at venues around London. They include comedy improv, a binge-watch film evening, a Great Gatsby-themed party, cabaret, theatre, music, business networking, fitness boot camps, a self-defense workshop, bowling, museum events, talks, walks and more. But the main event is the Pride in London Parade, which will be held on July 7. Last year's event had more than one million attendees, and those numbers are expected to rise this year. Visit London offers tips on where to go, what to do and where to stay before, during and after the parade.

Los Angeles, California

The Expedia list cited Los Angeles for its decades of being a gay haven and also being home to the incorporated city of West Hollywood, one of the most gay-friendly cities in the world. Christopher Street West (CSW), a non-profit organizatoin, created the world's first permitted parade advocating for gay rights on June 28, 1970, and has produced the LA Pride Parade and Festival every June in West Hollywood. Pride events began on May 22, and include concerts, LGBT Night at the L.A. Dodgers baseball game, a Youth Pride dance and LGBT Night at Universal Studios Hollywood. This year's parade will be held on Saturday, June 9from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. And while you're there, take recommendations from Discover Los Angeles and check out activities like Reel to Real: Portrayals and Perceptions of LGBTs in Hollywood at Hollywood Museum. You can also help the city celebrate LGBTQ Heritage Month in June by touring the city through the lens of L.A.'s pioneering LGBT history.

Dublin, Ireland

Ireland's capital city goes all out with its pride festivities via the Dublin LGBTQ Pride Festival, held from June 21-30, which culminates with a parade on Saturday, June 30. Dublin hosts one of Europe's biggest parades, with more than 30,000 attendees and more than 60 floats in 2017. But if you're staying before or after Pride, the Visit Dublin Center offers information on city and day tours that show off the best of the city and Ireland.

San Francisco, California

The City by the Bay holds a two-day bash to accommodate those coming from around the world to the LGBTQ-friendly city. But before experiencing the pride festivities, you may want to take a tour of the city. One recommended by San Francisco Travel is The Fabulous Foodie, which highlights the city's rich culinary history. On Saturday, June 23, and Sunday, June 24, the city held a celebration and rally with events, including concerts, performers, exhibitions and food that culminate with the San Francisco Pride parade on Sunday.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Paris of South America held its first pride march in 1992, with 300 people who wore masks to protect their identities. Skip ahead 26 years, and the city hosts one of the most popular Marchas del Orgullo (Pride Parade), with more than 100,000 people from around the world in attendance on Saturday, November 10. But before you jump into the festivities, you can visit gay-friendly Buenos Aires neighborhoods including Recoleta, Palermo and San Telmo, known for shopping, food and art. You can also go shopping in the Buenos Aires Market. A pre-parade party kicks off the celebration in the afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in Plaza de Mayo, where participants arrive in costume for photos ops with stars and LGBT activists. Then, watch the 11-block-long parade that starts at 6:00 p.m.

Sao Paulo, Brazil

Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city also has one of the biggest and most diversified population in the world, including a substantial LGBTQ community. Visitors can enjoy global and Brazilian cuisine in restaurants like the famous Mocotó in a city known as the Latin American capital of gastronomy. The city is close to beaches and has a vibrant network of gay nightclubs. The largest gay pride parade in the world will be held in Sao Paulo on June 17 and is expected to draw nearly four million people.

Washington D.C.

The history of the Capital Pride celebration goes back to 1975, when it started as a one-day community block party. This year's festivities start on Thursday, June 7, when the Capital Pride Alliance hosts the Capital Pride Heroes Award at a gala event. There's an opening party on June 8, a pride brunch and festival on June 9 that culminates with the Capital Pride Parade at 4:30. The celebration ends on Sunday, June 10 with the Capital Pride Festival that will offer a day of entertainment, music, food, drink, education and celebration.

If you go

Visit united.com or use the United app to plan your Pride-inspired getaway.