Pride season is just around the corner

With only a couple weeks to go, we’re getting ready to welcome back Brighton & Hove’s fantastic Pride events and celebrations.

This year, we can look forward to both of our city’s landmark Pride events, Trans Pride and Brighton Pride, joining forces to create a two-week festival of diversity, joy and unity.

Starting out the city’s Pride season, Trans Pride will take place on Saturday 19 July.

Brighton Pride celebrations will take over the city on the weekend of August 2-3, with a parade, two-day music festival and revamped street party.

United in Pride

The United in Pride project provides an opportunity for community groups, LGBTQ+ businesses and individuals to organise events that celebrate their diverse identities, foster inclusion, fundraise for LGBTQ+ projects and strengthen unity in an increasingly volatile world.

United in Pride is about more than just celebration – it’s about connection. Through arts, performances, educational events and family-friendly gatherings, we create spaces that uplift and empower every member of our community.

Now more than ever, we must stand together, find common ground, and show solidarity for one another.

Learn more about the United in Pride events on their webpages.

Celebrating Trans Pride

Brighton & Hove’s Trans Pride is the largest TNBI event in Europe, celebrating Trans, Non-binary and Intersex communities in all their joyous authenticity.

It is run by a grassroots, community-led organisation staffed entirely by volunteers.

Trans Pride will take place on Saturday 19 July, with speeches at 11am and the march setting off at 12 noon from Victoria Gardens. This will be followed by outdoor events and an after-party.

Louder than ever, brighter than before

Brighton & Hove Pride is one of the country’s biggest and brightest Pride events, bringing together thousands of residents and visitors to celebrate and take part in the festivities, as well as enjoy the incomparable atmosphere in the city.

The main day of the city’s Pride celebrations is Saturday 2 August, with the Pride Community Parade progressing from Hove Lawns to Preston Park.

The parade showcases more than 100 local charities, emergency services, the NHS, community groups, small businesses and representatives of other Pride organisations.

The theme of this year’s parade is Ravishing Rage, a celebration of resilience, spirit, passion and unity.

This year, we march with unstoppable energy and fearless spirit, turning adversity into triumph, louder than ever, brighter than before. We dance in protest, we march in celebration.

Partying with Pride

Pride’s official fundraiser for our local LGBTQ+ community groups, the vibrant Pride on the Park festival, will take place on Saturday August 2 and Sunday August 3 with headliners Mariah Carey and Sugababes.

The site will have a fresh new layout, featuring dance stages, cabaret stages, live stages, a community area, a family area and a funfair.

Through its fundraising, Pride has raised over £1.4million for the Pride community foundation, the Pride Social Impact Fund, the Pride Cultural Development Fund and the Pride Solidarity Fund. The Pride Social Impact Fund benefits local good causes, giving grants to a range of local groups.

The most significant change in this year’s Pride celebrations is that the Pride Street Party is moving from St James’s Street to Marine Parade.

The party which will take place on both days, will feature all the traditional attractions, including drag stages, a variety of music zones and bars.

There will be no outside bars or music on St James’s Street and the street will be managed by the council, Sussex Police and Pride over the weekend as any other busy area outside the official event areas.

For anyone unfamiliar with Brighton & Hove Pride, it’s on a huge scale and takes over much of the city centre for the weekend. As always, we’re anticipating it will be a very busy time.

Visit the Brighton & Hove Pride website for full details of what’s planned and explore the handy map of events and route of the parade.

Getting around

Roads will be closed in the city centre on Saturday for the community parade and for the Pride Street Party and Pride on the Park festival on Saturday and Sunday.

Due to changes in this year’s Pride Street Party, Marine Parade will be closed to vehicles and St James’s Street will remain open to pedestrians and vehicles throughout the Pride weekend.

Roads connecting Edward Street to St James’s Street will be closed for vehicular traffic from George Street to Devonshire Place over the weekend.

We’ll be confirming details of road closures shortly.

Buses will be rerouted and, if you’re travelling by train, please do plan ahead to get here and home again.

Take a look at Pride’s travel advice and information on trains on Govia Thameslink Railway’s Brighton & Hove Pride update. Keep an eye on the Brighton & Hove Buses website for full information on buses over the Pride weekend.

Standing together

Council Leader Bella Sankey said: “In Brighton & Hove you are free to love who you choose and to live as your authentic self.

“As we begin our countdown to our legendary Pride celebrations, we remember that Pride began as a protest and we recommit to the struggle for equality and freedom for LGBTQ+ people. 

“As with every year, we’re working closely with the organisers, as well as emergency services to plan for an exciting and, most importantly, safe Pride that everyone can enjoy.”

Our best Pride yet

Paul Kemp, managing director of Brighton & Hove Pride, said: “This year’s Pride is shaping up to be our best yet and with more than 150 LGBTQ+ artists across our weekend line-up, there is something for everybody.

“From our Community Parade to Pride on the Park and the Pride Street Party, our priority is always to create a safe, sustainable event that supports community fundraising for our local groups and charities, as well as supporting our LGBTQ+ venues that are the heart of our community all year round.

“With global superstars including Mariah Carey and Sugababes on this year’s line-up, alongside the very best emerging talent, we’re excited to welcome visitors to our fabulous and diverse city for Pride!”