We're almost at the end of Pride celebrations in Bristol leading up to the anticipated Pride Day this weekend. The organisation has programmed two weeks of events around the city to showcase the wonderfully diverse community.
In June, we celebrated a handful of people from the LGBTQIA+ community through our annual Pink List gathered from social media suggestions, nominations from main organisations in the city as well as suggestions from other people featured.
As always, this year concludes with Pride Day Weekend, which takes place on Saturday, July 8. It is one of the largest Pride events in the UK and saw one of its biggest years ever in 2022.
Read more: Bristol Pride bans political parties from 2023 event
Remember - Pride is also a protest, the first-ever Pride started as a march and not a parade. Bristol Pride is a chance for people to celebrate and show their allyship to the LGBTQIA+ community as well as shine a light on important campaigns that run 365 days a year, including banning conversation therapy and protecting human rights.
Pride Parade march timings
This year, the Bristol Pride march is gathering at the Band Stand end of Castle Park from 10am and will depart at 10.45am to head through the city centre, then onwards to the Amphitheatre where our shuttle buses run to The Downs. It’s free for members of the public to join the parade but all businesses who are not already a Pride Partner or Supporter need to register and make a small financial contribution to take part, to safeguard its future.
Here's a map of the march route:
Bristol Pride is a walking parade and does not permit vehicles or floats due to the nature of the route, health and safety and to support reduced city centre emissions. There is no corporate-only block in the parade, everyone joins in together to celebrate as a whole community. The route is two miles long and will take about one hour to complete.
Pride Day on the Downs
Where?
Last year, the festival welcomed 40,000 people to the Downs for a full line-up of performances spread across five stages. On Saturday, the festival arena will be opening at 12noon.
It's free to enter but everyone will be asked for a £4 donation at the gates. Wristbands show you have already supported the festival and offer dedicated quick-access gate lanes.
Who?
There are still five stages this year: the Main Stage, Cabaret Stage, Circus Tent, Get Qweird x Punka Stage and the Dance Performance Stage. The Main Stage is headlined by Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears with Natalie Imbruglia in the Afternoon Legends slot. They're joined by Girl Aloud singer Nadine Coyle, Sophie and The Giants, Denise Pearson (5Star), Alison Limerick, Rhythm of The 90s, Newtion, The Dolly Parton Experience, Sing Out Bristol, Ro Pound, Órla Bligh.
Please note that Ladyhawke has had to pull out of the line-up but will be replaced by Step's icon Lisa Scott Lee on the Main Stage.
Over on Cabaret Stage, there are over 35 performers this year with Ra'jah O'Hara headlining along with Tia Kofi. Punka is also heading to Pride who will be programming music performances alongside performances from House of Savalon on the Get Qweird x Punka Stage.
It will also have a family area as well as offering a whole range of food and drink stalls.
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Afterparties
Bristol Pride is offering several afterparties going on for Bristol Pride on Saturday night, all of which raise contributions for the organisation. The Offical Afterparty at Bristol's O2 Academy has already sold out, offering special performances from aerial artists, dancers and roaming performers throughout the club night spread across three rooms.
There are still tickets for Grrrl Crush at Basement 45 for £10 per person, a night of disco and rave on two dancefloors. Booty Bass Collective is also hosting an afterparty at Lost Horizon promising a whole host of queer, non-binary and women DJs.
Lakota is also hosting a Pride fundraiser on Saturday from 10pm - Little Gay Brother w/ Roi Perez - with tickets from just £4.52 each. Motion will be putting on The Abba Disco in partnership with Disco Wonderland from 10pm, starting from £8 a ticket.
Unofficial Pride parties include Slaughterhaus X DolceVita at Strange Brew, London's famous Dalston Superstore is hosting Fast & Bi-Furious at Crofters Rights, Eat Up! at Exchange and B***h, Pride! After Dark a Pride After Party.
Wristbands
Bristol Pride is free to enter to ensure the event stays accessible for everyone. However, the organisation is asking those you can to purchase a wristband, starting from just £7, to fund projects throughout the year and ensure the event returns in the future.
Supper Wristbands also give you access to rewards such as free bus travel on the day, money off the bars, discounts on food and a dedicated access lane to beat the queues. Several of the wristbands have already sold out but you can still purchase:
- Pride Day Supporter (£7): Cheaper bar prices, free bus travel on the day, discounts on food, dedicated entry, £1 off Bristol Ferry on Pride Day, discounted 6 O'Clock Gin and Tonic at Watershed on Pride Day.
- Pay It Forward (£7): Purchase a Day Supporter band for someone who is being supported by one of the charity's partners.
- Fast Track Pride Day Supporter (£12.50): All of the above, plus a fast track lane, a fabric wristband.
Where to collect your wristband
You can collect your wristband from the Bristol Pride Hub open in The Vestibules of City Hall, College Green, from Monday, July 3 - Friday, July 7. It is located just at the Park Street entrance under the arches of City Hall and is open from 12pm-6pm.
eTickets are valid for free travel so you do not need to exchange in advance. Bristol Pride cannot sell or exchange Super Supporter Wristbands at the hub as this will need to be done at the festival gates.
Bristol Pride Day is on Saturday, July 8, 2023
