Belfast Pride is back after a difficult two years with over 135 in-person events, making it the biggest ever celebration. With over 10 days of events planned, the city will be full of colour as thousands of people take to the street to stand together for Northern Ireland's LGBTQ+ community.
'Community - United in Diversity' is the theme of Belfast Pride 2022. The official Belfast Pride guide says: "Belfast Pride is a unique opportunity to celebrate the diverse identities within our community.
"Importantly, it is also an opportunity to listen to the diverse experiences of the LGBTQ+ people which are essential to effectively respond to the inequality LGBTQ+ people experience... Together we are many, and together we are one - united in our diversity."
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With Belfast Pride 2022 launching this week, here is some of the information you need to know:
When is Belfast Pride 2022?
Belfast Pride Festival is one of the biggest festivals in Belfast and runs over 135 events across 10 days. The festival runs from Friday, July 22 to Sunday, July 31 with Pride Day Saturday, July 30.
When will the Belfast Pride Parade take place?
Saturday, July 30 at 1.00 pm with the parade build-up starting from 11.30 am.
The Belfast Pride Parade is the main event in the LGBTQ+ calendar, a major city event and the biggest cross community parade in Belfast.
It is described as "a protest and a celebration, a call for equality, a stand for solidarity and a celebration of the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Belfast and beyond". After missing the 30th year anniversary in 2021, Belfast Pride is planning to make up for it and more with the 2022 parade.
What route does the Pride Parade take?
According to the Belfast Pride website, the parade leaves at 1.00pm sharp. The route for Belfast Pride Parade 2022 is under review as they introduced a new route in 2019 and outgrew this immediately.
Belfast Pride aims to find the best way to fit everyone in, keep everyone safe and still get maximum visibility for the community.
The parade will be going down Royal Avenue and Donegall Place towards City Hall and Belfast Pride will announce the full route as soon as it had been agreed upon and has passed all crowd safety tests so keep an eye out on their social media pages.
How many events are taking place at Belfast Pride?
Over 60,000 people took part in the last in-person Belfast Pride event in 2019 and this year's celebrations plan to be even bigger and better. Belfast Pride is showcasing over 135 different events this year.
You can read the full 10-day listings on The Offical Festival Guide produced by Belfast Pride, the most widely read LGBTQ+ publication in Belfast.
What is happening at Custom House Square at Belfast Pride?
Custom House Square is the home of Belfast Pride's Party in the Square event. Starting at 12pm, it runs until after the parade finishes until 6pm.
The official festival guide says: "It’s the original Pride Party and the biggest LGBTQ+ party in Belfast - your Pride wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Square! The Main Stage will feature a whole host of LGBTQ+ and local entertainment starting as soon as the parade gets back to the Square, its unique atmosphere is more popular than ever.
"We have improved accessibility this year across the Square including a dedicated viewing area and the show will be signed. The Mayor will welcome everyone and then we’ll bring you the best in local LGBTQ+ talent, and a few surprises, through the afternoon."
What are some of the events taking place at Belfast Pride?
With over 135 events across the 10 days of celebrations, it would be impossible to list them all. Here are a number of events taking place each day of Belfast Pride:
Friday, July 22
Belfast Pride Launch and Awards 2022 - Belfast City Hall, 7pm
The Mayor of Belfast will launch this year's celebrations and reveal the winners of the prestigious Belfast Pride Awards - given to community support groups, community services, business, entertainment and politics.
BYO Rocky Horror Picture Show - Strand Cinema - 8pm
One of the greatest queer cinematic pieces will be shown at the Art Deco Strand. Enjoy performances from the Queer Collective this is Harland and Poof.
Belfast LGBT+ History Tour - across the city, 12pm and 2.30pm
This will take you through Belfast to see where LGBTQ+ history happened and hear the first-hand stories of what it was like when it was illegal to be gay in NI and the milestones since then.
Saturday, July 23
Big Pride Picnic 2022 - Belfast City Hall - 12pm to 3pm
A free family fun day for LGBTQ+ families including bouncy castles, storytelling, mini explores and temporary tattoos.
Rainbow Parkrun - Colin Glen Forest Park - 9am
A fun, friendly 5k community event where everyone can run, walk or jog at this free event.
Quartered: Belfast, A Love Story - Dark Horse Hill Street - multiple times
A funny, poignant and deeply human theatrical audio walking tour of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter through the prism of the LGBTQI+ experience. Presented by Kabosh Theatre.
Sunday, July 24
Football V Queerphobia - Ormeau Embankment - 1pm to 5pm
A football tournament for all. Belfast drag artists will be joining for a special intermission match too.
The Troubles I've Seen Documentary Premiere - Queens Film Theatre - 3.30pm
LGBT Heritage NI Project is holding the premiere of their exciting new documentary on local history followed by a panel discussion.
Lipstick Assassins: Blu Hydrangea x Pangina Heals - Empire Music Hall - 8pm
After winning the crown as Drag Queen of the Muthatuckin’ World, Belfast star Blu Hydrangea invites her fellow Drag Race competitor Pangina Heals from Bangkok for a showdown.
Monday, July 25
Cara-Friend Youth, Pride Open Day - Belfast LGBTQ+ Centre - 5.15pm and 7.30pm
For young people aged 12-21 that will give a taste of what it’s like to attend Cara-Friend LGBTQI+ youth club and make friends.
Pride Talks Back, Policy Focus - Common Market - 7pm to 9pm
Biggest LGBTQ+ debate of the year featuring guests from PSNI, Equality Commission and Human Rights Commission, hosted by William Crawley. An opportunity to put your questions to those responsible for the protection of the community.
Male Speed Dating - McHugh’s Bar - 7.30pm
An evening of Gay Speed Dating where you can meet multiple single men in one night - away from your usual apps.
Tuesday, July 26
NI Blood Tranfusion Donor Registration - Belfast LGBTQ+ Centre - 2pm to 4pm
Join the NIBTS and TRPNI who will be on hand to guide you through some basic questions ahead of booking you a lifesaving appointment for the Pride Blood Drive.
Paint with Pride - Belfast LGBTQ+ Centre - 6pm to 9pm
Session of art therapy painting the brief ‘Paint My Pride’. The event will be facilitated by Rebecca Black from Pierced by then and Hannah Constance.
Female Speed Dating - McHugh’s Bar - 7.30pm
An evening of Gay Speed Dating where you can meet multiple single women in one night - away from your usual apps.
Wednesday, July 27
Poetry With Pride: Queering the Green - The Mac - 7pm
Celebrating the anthology ‘Queering the Green: Post 2000 Queer Irish Poetry’. Hosted by Toby Buckley.
Pride Céilí - Oh Yeah Music Centre - 8pm
Partnering with Belfast TradFest, the Céilí will have live traditional music from Ciarán Kelly and Friends with dances called by Ronán Eastwood.
Queer Comedy Night - Ulster Sports Club - 7.30pm to 11pm
Get your giggle on at the Rainbow Project’s first ever Qomedy Club with a hilarious lineup.
Thursday, July 28
The Big Gay Quiz - Common Market - 8pm
Hosted by Trudy Scrumptious, the annual pride fundraiser is back - supported by Taboo Presents. After Camembert DJs will be providing the cheesiest of hits to get you dancing.
Chromatica UV Rave - Libertine - 9pm
One for all the Little Monsters across Northern Ireland. Gaga Tribute and dancers live on stage and a UV Chromatica rave isn’t he club with drag performances.
Onya Beck’ Drag Stage - Maverick - 8pm
Local Queen Onya Beck hosts a special pride edition of her Open Drag Stage.
Friday, July 29
Cara-Friend LGBTQI+ Youth Pre-Pride Party - Belfast LGBTQ+ Centre - 6pm to 9pm
For LGBTQI+ young people aged between 12 and 21, this is a special celebration the night before the parade. There will be a party in the social area with special guests and a talent show
Big Trans Picnic - Botanic Gardens - 1pm to 3pm
After three years since last event, join other trans and gender diverse people for a nice outdoor picnic at the bandstand in Botanic Gardens.
Saturday, July 30
The Official Pride Breakfast - The Northern Whig - all morning
Start your pride morning off on the right foot with a good feed from The Northern Whig. They will donate the cost of each breakfast directly to Belfast Pride.
Belfast Pride Village - Donegall Quay - 12pm
Located beside the Big Fish, you will find a pride themed market and community space to take a break and enjoy the Pride buzz. There will be bouncy castles and freebies for the kids.
Rainbow Quarter Pride Street Party - Union Street - 3pm to 11pm
Nadine Coyle will headline the event which is hosted by NI’s own BBC Radio 1 star Dean McCullough.
Official Belfast Pride After Party - The Telegraph Building - 9.30pm
Taboo returns after a sold-out event in 2019. With Judas DJ in Room 1 and special guests Harland and Poof in Room 2, this is the biggest after-Pride party in the city.
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