LGBTQIA+ events
Explore our pick of this year’s most exiting dates for your diary, from city wide celebrations bringing flair and flamboyance to bustling streets, candlelight vigils which poignantly commemorate the challenges within the community, to recognising gay literature and film - you’ll find pride events in full swing over the country.
Events calendar
BFI Flare, London
A major cultural event for members of the LGBTQIA+ community and film buffs alike, past highlights of the film festival include premières of James Franco’s Interior Leather Bar, Lilting starring Ben Whishaw, and JT LEROY, featuring Kristen Stewart and Laura Dern. Most screenings are held at the BFI’s home in Southbank.
When: March
Where: BFI Southbank, south London. Nearest tube station: Waterloo.
Great British Bear Bash, Manchester
The Great British Bear Bash returns to Manchester’s Gay Village with a weekend full of social events including pool party, cabaret, ‘super-beareoke’, a history of Manchester walking tour and much more.
When: April - May
Where: Manchester is two hours north-west of London by train.
Oxford Pride Festival, Oxford
Oxford Pride is a celebration of lesbian, gay, bi, trans and queer life in Oxfordshire. The festival aims to promote awareness of the diversity of LGBTQIA+ communities by providing information, education and entertainment.
When: June
Where: Oxford is just over one hour west of London by train.
Pride Edinburgh, Edinburgh
Pride Edinburgh, Scotland’s national LGBTQIA+ festival, hits up the city so get ready to feel the love! Combining a colourful march through the city with a health and community fair and live music, the event brings together politicians, activist and individuals to support diversity and personal identity.
When: June
Where: Edinburgh is in Scotland, four and a half hours north of London by train.Pride Cymru
Showing its pride for all things LGBTQIA+, in addition to all things Welsh, Pride Cymru (the Welsh language word for Wales) is usually a massive event, where over 50,000 people come together to celebrate in the capital. Each year sees big-name Welsh and international pop acts performing live on the main stage, along with a cabaret garden, funfair rides, a cultural market with arts and crafts, and a family zone.
When: 17- 18 June
Where: Cardiff is in Wales, around two hours west of London by train.Sparkle Weekend, Manchester
Britain’s transgender community comes together to celebrate and shine at Manchester’s Sparkle Weekend and Sparkle Ball. This is the world’s largest free-to-attend celebration of gender diversity, welcoming all members of the transgender community as well as friends and families. Since 2005’s one-day inaugural event, it’s expanded into a three-day schedule of culture, music, comedy, film, sport and debate.
When: July
Where: Manchester is two hours by train north-west of London.
Belfast Pride, Belfast
Northern Ireland’s largest LGBTQIA+ festival, expect a host of musical talent and performances in Belfast City Hall and across the city.
When: July
Where: Belfast City Hall, Belfast.Brighton Bear Weekend, Brighton
Britain’s bear community are sure to come out to play for this Brighton Bear Weekend. This increasingly popular date for bears and cubs comprises a range of events, including a garden party, a club night, a Sunday roast and bear-a-oke.
When: July
Where: Brighton is one hour south of London by train.
Northern Pride, Newcastle
Celebrating pride in north-east England, Northern Pride is usually a three-day event in Newcastle. More than 12,000 people have joined the parade in previous years, plus there has been a main stage featuring great acts, community market stalls, a youth zone, fun fair, cabaret tent and dance tent. This year, the event will be taking place online with a special day of content celebrating the history, identity, and future of the LGBTQIA+ community in Northern England, plus a virtual march.
When: July
Where: Newcastle is three hours north of London by train.
IW Pride, Isle of Wight
Expect plenty of top class entertainment at this fully inclusive and diverse Pride celebration, taking place on the sandy beach of Ryde. The parade will see dazzling floats, music and dancing along the streets – don’t miss this fabulous beach party celebration!
When: July
Where: The Isle of Wight is an island off the south coast of England, a little over two hours from London by train and ferry.
Liverpool Pride, Liverpool
Since its beginnings in 2010, Liverpool’s festival has been one of the UK’s most flamboyant Pride events. With fun and fabulous themes like Rainbow Circus, Glam Fairy Tales and Liverpool Icons, you can expect a buzzing weekend of celebrations.
When: July
Where: Liverpool is just over two hours north-west of London by train.
Edinburgh International and Fringe Festival, Edinburgh
Edinburgh welcomes hundreds of new guests in the summer, drawing visitors and world class performers from across the globe for the festival season. The Scottish capital becomes an explosion of colour and music, events, performances, comedy dance and more for the annual Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe Festival – which together make up the largest arts festival in the world.
When: August
Where: Edinburgh is in Scotland, four and a half hours north of London by train.
Leeds Pride, Leeds
Yorkshire’s gay community comes together for Leeds Pride every August. You can expect a pride parade and hours of entertainment including keynote speakers, local LGBTQIA+ talent and famous pop acts.
When: August
Where: Leeds is just over two hours north of London by train.
Pride Cymru, Cardiff
Pride Cymru is Wales’ largest annual celebration of equality and diversity. Expect live music, and a big weekend full of dance and celebrations across the city.
When: August
Where: Cardiff is two hours twenty west of London by train.
Manchester Pride, Manchester
Manchester’s Gay Village plays host to one of the biggest dates in the LGBTQIA+ calendar: Manchester Pride. Enjoy unmissable events such as Manchester Pride Live, the Superbia Weekend, the Gay Village Party, the Candlelit Vigil, Manchester Pride Parade and the Youth Parade. Showcasing art, culture and sport and with superstar performers as the headline acts it’s a joyful toast to the diversity of LGBTQIA+ life.
When: August
Where: Manchester is two hours north-west of London by train.
Walsall Pride, Walsall, England
This community-run (now virtual) event celebrates the diverse LGBTQIA+ community in and around Walsall, and aims to raise awareness, promote inclusivity and break down barriers through music, messages and tributes.
When: August
Where: Walsall is three hours fifteen north-west of London by train.UK Black Pride, London
The UK Black Pride is one of Europe’s largest events for the African, Asian, Middle Eastern, Latin American and Caribbean-heritage LGBTQIA+ community. Previous years have blended live music, politics and poetry with a carnival atmosphere. The annual event features performances from dancers, singers, DJs and speakers.
When: August
Where: Haggerston Park, Hackney.Birmingham Pride, Birmingham
Birmingham Pride is one of the UK’s largest two-day LGBTQIA+ festivals, during which the streets of the city’s gay village pulsate with a carnival parade and live music. Don’t miss the dance arena with big name DJs, a cabaret marquee, a women’s area and a lip-sync stage, too. The event showcases international music artists and supports local upcoming talent across three stages in the city.
When: September
Where: Birmingham is 90 minutes north-west of London by train.
Iris Prize Festival, Cardiff
Held every October, the annual Iris Prize Festival is Cardiff’s LGBTQIA+ alternative to Cannes. Watch LGBTQI+ short films and features with panel discussions, filmmaker Q&A’s and legendary parties which are not to be missed.
When: October
Where: Cardiff is in Wales, two hours west of London by train.