The UK has some of the best Queer festivals and events in the world. From Cornwall all the way up to Caithness, over 200 Pride events are happening across the UK this summer.
Here are our top picks for where to attend Pride in 2026 and everything we know about each event so far!
Brighton & Hove Pride
When: Saturday 1st and Sunday 2nd August
Where: Pride on the Park - Preston Park, Pride Street Party - Marine Parade, Pride Campsite - Waterhall Road, BN1 8YR
Who: RAYE and Diana Ross are headlining the weekend, but you can also expect appearances from RuPaul, Holly Johnson, Bimini, The Blessed Madonna, and, what a gag, Paris Hilton.
Get ready for the UK’s most popular Pride event. The Pride parade starts at Hove Lawns and travels to the main Pride on the Park event. This year’s theme is “The Power of Love,” and you can expect a diverse, accepting environment to celebrate with visitors from all over the world.
London Pride Parade
When: 2nd-6th July
Where: Main Stage - Trafalgar Square, The Women’s Stage - Leicester Square, Trans and Non-binary Stage - Soho Square, Cabaret Stage - Dean Street, Global Majority Stage - Golden Square, Family Area - Victoria Embankment Gardens
Who: YTD, awaiting lineup, but with so many stages to choose from, there’s sure to be something for everyone!
There is a full week of events scheduled to celebrate Pride across London; you can find further details on all events at: https://prideinlondon.org/. The main Pride parade starts at 12pm on Saturday, 4th July, near Hyde Park Corner tube station and continues down towards Piccadilly Circus, past Trafalgar Square, before finishing next to Big Ben. They have also introduced several quieter, neurodivergent friendly LGBTQIA+ events to ensure there are ways for everyone to get involved.
Manchester Pride Festival
When: 28th - 31st August Bank Holiday Weekend
Where: The Gay Village, Main Stage - Bloom Street/Sackville Street, Community Showcase - Sackville Gardens, The Dance Arena - YTD
Who: Cascada, Danny Beard, Nadine Coyle, Booty Luv, as well as many local performers.
There was a question mark over whether Manchester Pride Festival would go ahead this year, but thanks to a newly developed organisation run by unpaid volunteers, the August bank holiday weekend has been saved! Manchester Pride is a celebration of inclusivity and solidarity, and its vibrant LGBTQIA+ community is guaranteed to make everyone feel welcome.
Leeds Pride Festival
When: Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th July
Where: The Freedom Quarter. Entrance and Cabaret Stage - Boar Lane, Viaduct Showbar, Main Stage - Lower Briggate
Who: The main lineup features La Voix, Livin’ Joy and Baga Chipz.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of Leeds Pride Festival, and to celebrate, a new Freedom Party event is being introduced that promises 10 hours of entertainment across two stages. In addition to the performers listed above, there are multiple pop tribute acts scheduled to perform and drag performers from all over the world.
Pride Cymru
When: Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th June
Where: The site map and parade route have yet to be confirmed, but the official Pride website states it will happen in and around Coopers Field and Cardiff Castle.
Who: Kate Nash is headlining the main stage, and you can also expect performances from Ultrabeat and Divina de Campo.
Cymru Pride celebrates diversity and inclusivity, and to make Pride even more accessible for everyone, they are introducing £5 Sunday tickets for 2026. While Saturday brings the party vibes, Sunday is about coming together to celebrate the local community of artists who make the event possible.
Pride Edinburgh
When: Saturday 20th June
Where: Main Stage - Bristo Square, March - Edinburgh Parliament Building
Who: Cher Lloyd is set to headline. Other acts include Kah-Lo, Kelli-Leigh, Bryn Christopher, Michelle McManus and many more.
The longest-running (and free!) celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in Scotland returns this year to remind us all that the purpose of Pride is to protest. The route for the march begins at the Scottish Parliament building and ends outside Edinburgh University, passing countless tourist spots on the way, such as the Museum of Edinburgh, the Royal Mile and St. Giles Cathedral.
In addition to Pride events, there are also a wide variety of other queer festivals and events happening across the UK this summer. Here’s a list of some of our favourites:
The Queer Campfire - Multiple Locations - June - Queer Camping Festival
Out & Wild - Devon - June - Queer Wellness Festival
The Queer Fringe Festival - Cardiff - 2nd June - 3rd July - Queer Art & Performance Festival
DEVIANT & CONFUSED - Komedia, Brighton - 14th June - Kink Pride Market
Sparkle Weekend Manchester Gay Village - 26th-28th June - Trans Festival and Celebration of Gender Diversity
DEVIANTS IS BURNING - Komedia, Brighton - 19th July - Trans Pride Market
Queer Spirit - Bridwell Park, Devon - 13th-17th August - Queer Spirituality Festival
Body Movements - Southwark Park, London - Sunday 30th August - Queer Dance & Art Festival
Are you planning on adding any of these to your summer calendar? I know I am!
Written by Leah Marie Cox
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