The Pride Events Painting Rainbows Across the North East and Yorkshire
To celebrate Pride Month, we've rounded up the best Pride events to attend across the North East and Yorkshire this summer
York Pride
1st June
York
North Yorkshire's biggest LGBT+ celebration returns this June with a parade from York Minster to the festival site on the Knavesmire followed by performances from The Wanted’s Max George, Shania Twain and Cher tribute acts and fabulous drag queens. An after party will feature live DJs and more great acts and if that’s not enough there’s a closing party the following day with a cruise down the Ouse.
On Saturday 1st June, SPARK will open its doors early at 9am to give Pride-goers a space to get parade-ready and the fun doesn’t stop after this weekend – throughout Pride Month SPARK will host a drag quiz night, a special screening of Pride (the 2014 film) and will offer a platform and safe space for writers, poets, and theatre-makers to showcase their talents, try out new material, connect and enjoy an evening of performance.
Pride in the Dales
29th June
Grassington
Head to Grassington for parades, live performances, and activities that are suitable for all ages. Don’t miss a rave bingo at Grassington Town Hall, photography and tales from Stuart Linden Rhodes (photographer for Gay Times & APN magazine), workshops for kids, bucketloads of entertainment and a huge pride parade through the town.
Pride in South Tyneside
Throughout July
Across South Tyneside
Fancy a month-long pride festival? There’s a pride parade through South Shields on 6th July, a family picnic in Hebburn on 13th July and even an event for your four-legged friends in Jarrow on the 14th. Don’t miss the first Pride in South Tyneside summer concert at Bents Park on the 28th with headliner Sister Sledge.
Hartlepool Pop-up Pride
6th July
Hartlepool
Hartlepool is hosting its first pop-up pride event this summer as part of Pride in Tees Valley. From 3rd to 21st June, you’re invited to submit artwork to be displayed at Community Hub Central with a theme of The History of Pride – it could be an historical reflection or a personal journey. Follow Pride in Tees Valley on socials for more details about this event and Stockton Pop-up Pride later in the month.
Pride in the City
19th–21st July
Newcastle City Centre
Northern Pride are the North East’s biggest LGBTQIA+ charity and this year they’re providing a city centre stage for live performances from both big names and local stars. Guests can look forward to seeing local favourites Jen & Liv (now known as HUNNI) who won The Voice and Ginger Johnson who won RuPaul's Drag Race UK – with more to be announced! There’ll also be a family and youth zone, health and wellbeing zone and a market village as well as a march through the city centre.
Leeds Pride
21st July
Leeds
Leeds Pride is one of the biggest one-day festivals in Leeds city centre (with more than 70,000 visitors last year). Don’t miss the parade beginning at Millennium Square then heading towards Lower Briggate by The Calls for a huge celebration. Entertainment includes Louisa Johnson and tributes to Rihanna and Madonna.
Happy Valley Pride
22nd–28th July
Across Hebden Bridge
Happy Valley Pride is West Yorkshire's LGBTQIA+ pride charity and week-long queer arts festival. Begin the celebrations with a screening of The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert at Hebden Bridge Picture House before the festival (the line-up will be announced shortly).
Gay Day
26th August
The Alnwick Garden
For the first time in its 15-year history, the Mr Gay World contest is coming to Great Britain with the crowning of the winner take place at the Grand Finale ceremony at The Alnwick Garden on 26th August. The Duchess of Northumberland, Jane Percy, a supporter of equality and LGBTQ+ rights, will lead the judging panel. Don’t miss it!
