Copenhagen Pride’s 30th anniversary parade sets off through Copenhagen today under tightened security, three weeks after a fatal attack on a Pride event in Berlin.
Thousands of people are gathering in the Danish capital on Saturday to mark the anniversary edition of Copenhagen Pride. DR reports that the celebration takes place in the shadow of the terror attack at Berlin Pride, and that security around the parade has been given particular focus.
The procession leaves Frederiksberg Rådhus at 13:00 and moves through the city to Rådhuspladsen, known as Pride Square during Pride Week. Copenhagen Pride chairperson Benjamin Hansen told DR that organizers have a large task together with Copenhagen Police in making guests feel safe. According to Hansen, the issue is a high priority, because the aim is for as many people as possible to attend.
Police inspector Lars-Ole Karlsen of Copenhagen Police said security is high on the agenda during the parade. As reported by DR, the police planning is based on the current threat assessment from PET, the Danish Security and Intelligence Service. Karlsen added that the incident in Berlin has drawn the attention of Copenhagen Police.
Officers will be visibly present where large crowds gather, DR reports. In addition, all access roads to the parade route will be blocked with large trucks while the procession is underway.
Threat assessment and the Berlin attack
Politiken reports that PET’s 2026 assessment of the terror threat against Denmark places the threat from militant Islamists at a serious level. The assessment names large public gatherings and LGBT+ targets among the most likely targets, and Copenhagen Police say their measures are calibrated to it.
The Copenhagen Post, citing Ritzau, reported in late July that Copenhagen Police and PET are cooperating on the security effort for this year’s Pride. The outlet put the number injured in Berlin at at least 29. TV 2 reported on July 25 that a car drove into a crowd at a Pride event in Tiergarten, killing one woman and injuring 16 people at that stage.
German authorities are investigating the Berlin Pride attack as a possible act of terror and are searching for a 21 year old suspect, according to Politiken. Copenhagen Pride has said it is in ongoing contact with the authorities and already operates a large, professional security setup, as reported by The Copenhagen Post.
Pride Week in Copenhagen runs from August 8 to August 16, according to XQ28. The route runs along Allégade, Frederiksberg Allé, Vesterbrogade, Hammerichsgade and Studiestræde, per GoGoEvents. Dangdi Life reports temporary road closures and possible bus delays in central areas during the events.
