It’s Pride Month – exploring Pride Month in the UK
Rights and fights in 2025
June may mark the official Pride Month in the UK and in fact globally, but in an age where Pride has become a global, marketable phenomenon it’s hard to miss the signs of celebration and awareness.
It’s a sign of how far we have come as a society, to see a Tesco logo integrated with rainbow colours, and even rural parish councils hosting their own parade.
Yet with this comes the accusations of ‘pink washing’, a term referring to where companies’ support for the LGBTQIA+ community is merely superficial. Or sometimes contrasted by their other (unethical) business partnerships.
Whatever the case, Pride is neither watered down nor chaos, even a handful of the countries’ largest events – Brighton, Birmingham, London and Manchester – released a joint statement barring all political parties. Business will continue as usual, both feisty and flamboyant.
So, what’s on?
June only marks the start and the official, international month of Pride. Around the country, thousands of cities, towns, and villages prepare themselves to participate in Pride celebrations that extend well into August. We hope that the guide below gives you a couple ideas on what to explore this summer and beyond.
Brighton Pride
When?
2-3 August 2025
Where?
The main parade begins in Hove Lawns by the seafront, travelling through the main parts of town (and past the Kemp Town street party before ending up at the top of London Road – next to the ‘Fabuloso’ festival at Preston Park.
Key events
Over the years Fabuloso (also known as Pride in the Park) has emerged as the place to be over the weekend, boasting an impressive range of acts each year. 2025 will be headlined by Mariah Carey following past appearances by Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, and more. The parade is one of the largest in Britain and takes you past the other the street party, where people take over and dance on the main roads amidst drag and DJ royalty. Plenty of family spaces and outposts are scattered along the route and open across the two days.
Things to note
It wouldn’t be a complete list of Pride events in Britain without referencing one of the largest LGBTQIA+ communities in the country, where I write from today. Brighton Pride itself has an equally rich history being one of the first Pride parades in the country – the 1973 march by the Sussex Gay Liberation followed London’s that happened the year before.
Brighton Pride, https://www.brighton-pride.org/
London Pride
When?
5 July 2025
Where?
The main parade begins at Hyde Park Corner and finishes at Whitehall place. The route isn’t particularly long and goes past or nearby all of the main stages open later into the day.
Key events
During and after the parade there will be an electric range of music, speeches, poetry, drag, and more taking places across stages in all of the capital’s biggest parks and squares. The main stage will be set up in Trafalgar square and is bound to attract a huge crowd. Elsewhere, Dean Street will be home to a cabaret stage, and Soho and Leicester squares dedicated to lesbian, trans, and non-binary themes – just to name a few.
Things to note
Kicking off the summer on the 5 July, this tightly packed day of Pride is bound to carry over and amplify the energy of Pride month. Despite the hustle and bustle, it will be a safe day and offers something for everyone. For the first time ever there will be a dedicated family space in the Victoria and Embankment Gardens to make sure of this.
London Pride, https://prideinlondon.org/
Read more: Pride. The kickass famous LGBTQ icons through history
Cornwall Pride
When?
28 June – 25 October 2025
Where?
Respective festivities in Falmouth, Liskeard, Isles of Scilly, Truro, Camborne, St Austell, Saltash, St Ives, Launceston, Bodmin, Bude, Penzance, Redruth, Newquay, Helston, Calstock
Key events
Every area will have its own march, accompanying events, and will be free to attend. Falmouth may be the centrepiece this year, it is tipped that the parade will be flying the world’s largest Pride flag through the seaside town’s streets. The flag appeared last year at Newquay Pride.
Things to note
The four months of Pride events offer ample opportunities to explore one of the most beautiful parts of England for visitors. That being said, the celebrations and protests are carefully catered by local communities and will carefully reflect a marrying of Cornish culture and Pride. Expect beautiful scenery matched with queer serenity across the county.
Cornwall Pride, https://cornwallpride.org/
Edinburgh Pride
When?
21 July 2025
Where?
The parade begins at the Scottish Parliament budling, next to Holyrood Park, and ends near the University of and Bistro Square, which will be home to the festival and Pride Village.
Key Events
Free entry into the music festival, and the parade that traverses through the city’s iconic and historic centre.
Things to Note
Edinburgh Pride is the longest running parade in Scotland – and 2025 will mark its 30th anniversary. Most of the parade route meanders through Edinburgh’s old town, making for an interesting contrast of colourful vibrancy and gothic tradition. During and after the parade you can expect a camp cohesion of Scottish style and sound with the infectious Pride celebrations.
Edinburgh Pride, https://www.prideedinburgh.org/
Belfast Pride
When?
18 – 27 July 2025
Where?
The main parade is on the 26th and starts at Custom House Square and ends in Victoria Street, tracing its way around the city centre. Other Pride festivities that week and on the day and the rest will take place next to Donegall Quay.
Key Events
After the official parade the child friendly, alcohol- and smoke-free Pride village/market will be open next to the main festival.
Things to Note
Founded in 1991, Belfast’s Pride is another that has become a staple protest and celebration in contemporary queer history. In a city full of recent hurt and struggle, Belfast pride is one of the more politic and activist based events in Britain and this list. Indeed, this year’s theme of ‘NO GOING BACK’ also makes a bold statement that acknowledges the recent surge of hateful ideology, making sure feistiness is in both flair and fight.
Belfast Pride, https://belfastpride.com/
Leeds Pride
When?
19 – 20 July 2025
Where?
The parade begins at the town hall and finishes at ‘The Calls’ a river-side area in a different side of the city centre.
Key Events
All across the city there will be a mix open air and small venue parties such as the bottomless bunch Pride party at the iconic Drag Brunch venue.
Things to Note
Everything under the official Leeds Pride will be fully-free despite being one of the biggest Pride hotspots in the country. There will be optional wristband donations that offer perks and discounts on and off site, however. Wherever you find yourself it looks set to be a great party. Much like Manchester, Leeds has an already vast queer community, with an estimated 10 per cent of the population identifying as part of the LGTBTQIA+ community.
Leeds Pride, https://leedspride.com/
Cardiff/ Wales Pride
When?
21 – 22 June 2025
Where?
The parade will start and end near Cardiff’s castle, which is also the site for all official parties, resources, stalls, and the two-stage festival.
Key Events
A Pride Festival headlined by Ella Henderson and featuring popular Queen tribute act ‘Flash’. Outside of the usual Pride activities will be creative and slower-paced events, like the dog walk hosted by Rainbow Pooch Pride and cabaret workshops.
Things to Note
Cardiff Pride or Pride Cymru is biggest Pride celebration in Wales and indeed this corner of the nation. It has a brilliant attention to the intersection of disability and queer rights and is undeniably the most accessible in the country. Although the official Pride is just two days, readers may be interested in the Iris Prize LGBTQ+ Film Festival between 13 – 19 October that also takes place in Cardiff later this year.
Pride Cymru, https://pridecymru.com/
Other Pride events throughout the UK
There are hundreds of other Pride events throughout the UK that scarcely get a mention. Here are just a few we found:
Northern Pride, Newcastle, 19-20 August: By no means small, but outside of Newcastle Pride itself, the organisation (Northern Pride) will be running a series of fringe events across the Northeast in the run-up.
Kendal Pride, Cumbria, 13-15 June: A small, rural pride celebration1 in the Yorkshire dales featuring open-air parties and a queer-led film festival.
Exmouth Pride, Devon, 21 June: Small parade followed by a rich selection of local music and comedy in the pretty, sea-surrounded Manor Gardens.
King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Pride, 16 August: Parade and party in East Anglia just off the beautiful River Great Ouse.
Whilst we’ve tried to highlight a geographical range here, we know there are plenty more parties and protests out there this year – please drop your details below in the comments, and we’ll add them to the article. Pride Month in the UK Pride Month in the UK Pride Month in the UK
Finn is a writer and musician. He has written on internet culture, technology, and reviewed music, film, and television. When not frantically tapping away he can be found kicking back with the simpler things: coffee, cats, and football.
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