Summer may seem like a long way off, but before you know it we’ll be swanning round the street wearing nothing but shorts and shades. Summer is also Pride season, so here we outline the UK’s biggest five Pride festivals so you can plan your summer holiday and still attend your favourite celebration of being LGBT and proud.
Pride In London
Saturday 8 July
The UK’s biggest LGBT Parade kicks off at 1pm on Regent Street and swings by Trafalgar Square before disbanding on Whitehall. Groups who would like to be in the Parade can apply now via prideinlondon.org/get-involved/join-the-parade. And if previous years Prides are anything to go by, you can also expect shows and performances on stage in Trafalgar Square, a party vibe on the streets of the West End and community areas in Golden and Soho Squares. Meanwhile, the Pride Festival, which showcases art exhibitions, performance, talks and more, runs from Saturday 24 June until Sunday 9 July. Pride In London is also free to attend – woohoo!
Brighton Pride: Summer of Love
Friday 4 – Sunday 6 August
Brighton Pride celebrates the landmark 50th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales with a life affirming Carnival of Diversity and spectacular weekend-long Pride Festival this summer. Brighton’s Pride Festival and Community Parade take place on Saturday 5 August, while the Pride Village Party starts on the Saturday and continues on Sunday 6 August. Early bird and
first release tickets for the Pride Festival are available to buy now from Brighton-Pride.org.
Birmingham Pride
Saturday 27 – Sunday 28 May
Taking place over May’s second bank holiday weekend, Birmingham Pride takes over the city’s gay village for a mammoth celebration across the weekend of Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 May. Heavily discounted super early buy tickets for this year’s event are on sale now from birminghampride.com/news/super-early-buy-tickets. What’s more, a new Premium Ticket has been introduced for 2017 and includes access to an inner circle viewing area and priority bars in both the Main Arena and Cabaret Marquee, so buying early has never been more beneficial.
Bristol Pride
Saturday 8 July
The city of Bristol celebrates its Pride Week from 30 June until 9 July with its main Pride Day Festival happening on Saturday 8 July. Expect hundreds of performers and DJs across several stages on the day plus there’s an electrifying official afterparty come nighttime as well. Entry to Pride is by donation and everyone will be asked for £3 to support the event. Tickets can be bought in advance from bristolpride.co.uk/donate/tickets; you can then exchange your ticket for a wristband on Pride Day at the Main Entrance or in advance from the Pride Hub.
Manchester Pride
Friday 25 – Sunday 27 August
Manchester Pride hosts its Big Weekend during August’s bank holiday weekend, which starts on Friday 25 August. The Parade takes place on the Saturday, which will see over 3,000 participants turn the city into a kaleidoscope of colour, plus there’ll be street parties in the Canal Street area and countless nighttime events to attend. Advance tickets will be on sale soon – keep checking bigweekend.manchesterpride.com/event-information/tickets or sign up to the newsletter.
Recommended for you
