Here are all the biggest gay Pride events happening in the UK this summer

The UK is slowly creeping down the Rainbow Map rankings of LGBTQ+ rights in Europe, due to the “hostile reporting” by mainstream newspapers, bans on trans people competing in sports, and legislated discrimination against trans young people in schools. Just yesterday, it was reported teachers will be ordered to tell parents if their child is questioning their gender, even if the child objects. This goes to show why Pride is still incredibly important in the UK.

Here’s a rundown of the biggest Pride events happening this summer 2023 in the UK, whether you just fancy a boogie and a celebration, or a protest at the progress that still needs to be made.

All the Pride 2023 events you need to go to around the UK this summer:

Edinburgh Pride – Saturday 24th June

Edinburgh’s 26th Pride event kicks off on June 24th, with a huge mix of local drag performers, X Factor winner Louisa Johnson, and Drag Race UK’s Ellie Diamond. Venues across the city are hosting a mix of shows, club nights, and drag balls, so keep an eye on the different LGBTQ+ spaces for the various fun-sounding events going on on Friday and Saturday nights.

If it’s the march you’re interested in, it sets off at 1pm from the Scottish Parliament, with entertainment on the main stage in Bristo Square kicking off at 2pm.

Pride in London – Saturday 1st July

The theme of London’s pride this year is “Never March Alone”, and the march promises to be big – wending its way through central London from Hyde Park Corner to Whitehall Place.

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Whether it’s raves or film screenings, Pride in London is hosting a huge range of events over the weekend, topped off by a show headlined by Idina Menzel and Adam Lambert. The money raised across the event will go to supporting grassroots LGBTQ+ organisations across the city.

Trans+ Pride London – Saturday 8th July

Given how bad the levels of transphobia are in the UK right now, it’s more important than ever to support trans pride. Although it only began in 2019, London Trans+ Pride gathered over 30,000 people last year in support of trans, non-binary, gender non-conforming, and intersex people’s rights. The march will kick off in Trafalgar Square this year, to accommodate “growing numbers” of people in attendance.

Bristol Pride – Saturday 8th July

Bristol’s pride festival actually runs from 24th June to 9th July this year, with the march and main performances happening on Saturday 8th. It is still a walking parade, meaning there will be no floats or vehicles on the two-mile-long route. The Scissor Sisters frontman, Jake Shears, is headlining, with Australian singer (and Neighbours star) Natalie Imbruglia playing in the afternoon. If you want something a bit different from the usual floats and performances, The Pride Dog Show will be held on July 2nd at Castle Park.

Brighton and Hove Pride – Saturday 5th – Sunday 6th August

Easily one of the most popular pride events in the UK, Brighton Pride will be hosting more than 170 artists across 12 different stages, including legends such as the Black Eyed Peas, STEPS, Zara Larsson and Mel C. The event apparently boosts the local economy by a staggering £22.5 million over the weekend and has an attendance of a massive 500,000. The parade kicks off at 11am at Hove Lawns, making its way across the town to Preston Park. It’s best to get there early if you want to guarantee a decent spot to watch the parade.

UK Black Pride – Sunday 20th August

In its 18th year, UK Black Pride maintains its title as the world’s largest celebration for African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Carribean-heritage LGBTQ+ people and will be held again this year at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. There will be a selection of community stalls at the grounds as well as plenty of performers.

Manchester Pride – Friday 25th – Monday 28th August

The parade is confirmed to be on Saturday 26th at 12pm, but there will be entertainment every day of the festival, with iconic performers like Bimini, Brazilian queen Pabllo Vittar, and Jake Shears, plus dozens of local acts. There will be a candlelit vigil on Monday to close the ceremony and to remember the people who were lost to HIV, and those people around the world still being persecuted because of their sexuality or gender.

As usual, the festivities will be centered around the Gay Village and Canal Street, which is a great place to station yourself if you’re up for a four-day bender.

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