Pride Cymru, as it has come to be known, started off very differently. In 1985, Cardiff's first gay march took place and the city's first ever Mardi Gras in 1999. The event has gone from strength to strength over the years - moving from Cooper's field, the annual celebration now takes place on the City Lawns just outside the national museum and City Hall.
The event sees over 50,000 visitors flocking to the event over the course of the two days that make up Pride Cymru's Big Weekend. This year, post Covid-19, the event is back from its virtual years with a bang with some huge names sure to keep everyone entertained. Taking place on August 27 and 28, here is a breakdown of what to expect at Pride Cymru 2022.
How do I join the parade?
The parade takes place on Saturday, August 27. Growing enormously since 1985, the parade has become an integral part of the event over the last 10 years. To get involved and book your slot into the parade, you can apply and pay online. Grassroot organisations and individual walkers can walk for free when they apply, but there is a suggested donation of £2 for each person. Prices to walk in the parade increase depending on group sizes and types. More information about the parade can be found here.
READ MORE: Looking back at Cardiff's first gay pride march and Mardi Gras
How do I get tickets?
Pride Cymru's Big Weekend 2022 is Wales' biggest celebration of equality and diversity. Over two days, Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28, three stages will be full to the brim of cabaret, musicians and panel discussions, with a selection of food vendors and a community market. To buy tickets, you have to head to the Pride Cymru website. Standard entry tickets are £15 for each individual day, with VIP tickets going up to £30. With the upgrade you receive a complimentary drink on arrival, luxury toilet access, seating and fast track entry into an exclusive VIP area. Accessible tickets cost £15 and an access manager will be in touch with you to discuss your needs. Tickets for children aged between five and 14 cost £5. Children under the age of five do not need to purchase a ticket. Tickets can be bought here.
Who is headlining the event?
Saturday:
Former Spice Girl Melanie C is the biggest name on the bill on Saturday. Other acts include Deaf Rave,, Bimini, Polly Amborous, Booty Luv, Mary Mac, Orchestral Beats, Miss Kitty, Tameka Jackson as Diana Ross are also on the bill as well as Cally Rhoda, Husk, Jolene dover, Hey Mary, the Admiral Super Choir, Dead Method and the Welsh Ballroom Community. The South Wales Gay Men's Chorus, Songbirds, Willetts and Zoey will also perform.
There is also the community stage, and DJ stage where Esther Taylor, Flyboy, Matt Lissack and Chris Thole all have sets.
Sunday:
Boney M will headline, with other acts Adele Roberts, Kelli-Leigh and local drag star Dr Bev. Welsh of the West End, Peter Karrie, The Year of the Dog, Studio 54 Theatre School, RuPaul star Victoria Scone, Wyburn and Wayne, Bronwen Lewis, Jessy Allen, Rokat, Fletch and Kinetic all perform on the main stage. More information can be found on Pride Cymru's website.
What else is at the event?
The weekend event will also be full of various talks and panel discussions. From cabaret, faith sessions and more. Market stalls will be within the event grounds. There will be an adoption panel from the National Adoption Service. The panel will share tips, honest stories and answers to common questions and the purpose of the event is to share the joys of adoption. Panelists include Damian Kerlin and non-binary adopter, Lea Robinson. For more information about becoming a Market Trader can be found here.
Drag, Drag, Drag!
There are tones of Drag performers and musicians coming to the celebratory weekend in Cardiff. Playing at the first Cardiff Mardi Gras in 1999, Miss Kitty is set to hit the stage with great cabaret. UK favorite and Cardiff karaoke host, Jolene Dover, will also be making an appearance as well as seasoned drag queen Polly Amorous. Dead Method, Willets and more are set to be performing as well, showcasing the best of south Wales' music scene. More can be found here.
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