Shoppers, tourists and locals turned out as Berlin staged its first-ever drag march , a glittering, political warm-up to Christopher Street Day that mixes music, makeup and message. Hundreds of performers paraded from the Reichstag to the Brandenburg Gate, underlining why pride here is as much about protest as it is about partying.

Essential Takeaways

  • Historic debut: Berlin held its inaugural drag march as an official opening to Christopher Street Day, drawing hundreds of performers and onlookers.
  • Joy with purpose: Drag performers combined spectacle with activism, handing out safer-sex info and fundraising for queer causes.
  • Soundtrack and symbols: The Transophonix brass band played “Das lila Lied,” a 1920s gay-rights anthem, while participants marched past the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate.
  • Community roots: The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence , flamboyant, nun-costumed activists , were central organisers, highlighting long-standing grassroots work across Germany.
  • Visual impact: Costumes ranged from towering heels to painted faces, creating a bold, photographic procession that felt both defiant and celebratory.

A colourful opening act that feels like a declaration

Berlin’s first drag march hit the streets with the kind of visual bravado the city is known for, and a smell of glitter and sweat to match. Organisers positioned the event as the theatrical starter for Christopher Street Day, and the scene felt like a living postcard: sequins flashing, purple eyelashes batting, and a brass band turning old protest songs into parade anthems. According to AP News, Sister Daphne of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence led the crowd with both comedy and conviction, reminding everyone this is performance with purpose.

From nightlife outreach to public protest , the Sisters’ story

The Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence began in San Francisco and the German branch has been active since 1991. They’re not just costume and camp; they hand out safer-sex materials and raise money for people affected by HIV and for queer projects, work that often happens in the city’s nightlife. The march brought that grassroots activism into broad daylight, which matters because visibility still translates into services, donations and political pressure.

Music and memory: why “Das lila Lied” matters here

Playing “Das lila Lied” during the march was a neat, sorrowful reminder that queer music has a long memory. The song links today’s glitter to Germany’s queer history in the 1920s and to the Stonewall legacy that Christopher Street Day commemorates. It’s one thing to pose in a dress; it’s another to sing anthems that trace a century of resistance. For visitors, it’s a visceral cue: Berlin’s pride events are celebrations that never forget their roots.

What this means for Christopher Street Day and local pride culture

Berlin’s CSD has become one of Europe’s major pride gatherings, and the drag march adds a fresh, theatrical chapter to that story. The event blends protest , placards, raised fists, intentional gestures , with the irreverence people expect from drag. For those choosing between events, the advice is simple: arrive early if you want front-row views of performative bits, and bring comfortable shoes if you intend to march.

How to enjoy or join a drag march safely and respectfully

If you’re planning to attend, remember this is both a party and a protest. Respect performers’ space, ask before photographing up close, and consider donating to the causes on display. If you want to join in costume, plan your makeup and footwear the night before and pack a small repair kit , tape, safety pins, spare heel tips , because nothing deflates a good heel moment like a broken shoe.

It's a small change to the CSD calendar, but the drag march already feels like one of those additions that will stick , bold, noisy and unmissable.

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