The countdown has begun for Bristol Pride 2023 which is just weeks away and will see the city come alive with dozens of events. The award-winning festival celebrating LGBTQIA+ communities has released its full programme kicking off on Saturday, June 24 all the way to Pride Day Weekend on Saturday, July 8.
In the true spirit of pride, Bristol Pride offers something for everyone centring its jam-packed programme around theatre, music, boat tours, circus, comedy, talks, cinema, workshops and dance - to name a few. This year sees the return of the Pride Dog Show on Sunday, July 2 in Castle Park as well as a special Pride Comedy Night at Bristol Old Vic hosted by Strictly star Jayde Adams, tickets are just £15.
Keen sailors can join the LGBT+ History Boat Tour sailing along the harbourside on Sunday, July 2 with tour guides from Outstories Bristol bringing an important history lesson highlighting the city’s LGBTQIA+ past. The Wardrobe Theatre is performing the hilarious Stag King which explores what happens when an ancient Celtic god’s business collapses again, on top of other incredible improv, drag and comedy shows.
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Bristol Pride Circus Night on Thursday, June 29 is in partnership with Circomedia showcasing circus skills and performances from talented performers. On-screen, the Bristol Pride Film Festival, Queer Vision, returns with a roster of incredible LGBTQIA+ films at Watershed, The Cube, and a special outdoor screening with live performances of the 1966 classic Cabaret at The Trinity.
Pride Day timings
The programme comprises two weeks leading up to Pride Day on Saturday, July 8, which is one of the largest Pride events in the UK and saw 40,000 people attending in 2022. The day commences with the Parade March leaving from Castle Park (Band Stand Entrance) at 10.45am for a two-mile march through Cabot Circus and onto the Harbourside via Baldwin Street. Last year a whopping 20,000 people took part in the Parade March and organisers expect to see record numbers march again for equality this year.
Pride Day's Main Stage has already been confirmed including Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears as top-billed for the festival on Clifton Downs (July 8). Other artists include Natalie Imbruglia will be taking over the new Afternoon Legends slot as well as Girls Aloud member Nadine Coyle, 90s dance star Alison Limerick, and synth-pop singer Sophie and the Giants. There are over 30 performers on the star-studded Cabaret stage including RuPaul's Drag Race Winner, Ra’jah O’Hara and Drag Race UK fan favourite Tia Kofi.
Bristol Pride 2023 has been announced in this year's Festival Guide which is now available to read online and available to collect, for free, from venues and spaces across the city. The Festival guide has information on all the events taking place this year, as well as the information, acts, and those all-important stage times for the Pride Day Festival on The Downs.
Tickets
Bristol Pride Day remains a donation entry festival to ensure it remains financially accessible for everyone who wants to attend Pride, but organisers are asking all those that can afford to, to pick up a Supporter Wristbands for this year’s event. Starting at just £7 wristbands offer great rewards including free bus travel on Pride Day with First Bus, dedicated queue-jumping lanes for wristband holders to use and discounts with onsite food traders and the bar prices at the festival.
A £20 Day+Night pass is also on offer and includes entry to The Official Afterparty at the Bristol O2 Academy, featuring three rooms of DJs and headlined by dancefloor heroes The Shapeshifters, alongside party starters Guilty Pleasures, R&She, and disco/electronic dancing from Dirty Pop.
Bristol Pride takes place from June 24 to July 9, 2023. Event tickets and Pride Day Wristbands are available online
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