Always one of the biggest events in the city’s calendar, Bristol Pride 2023 returns on July 8 as a celebration of all things LGBTQ+. This year’s Bristol Pride looks to be the biggest, baddest and most beautiful yet. So there is plenty of reason to wave your flags whether a part of the community or simply an ally.
A programme of events from June 24 will lead up to the big event, from club nights to board game nights, theatre shows and cabaret workshops in venues across Bristol. It is also one of the UK’s later Pride parties of the year, so we need to send Pride month off with a bang! Here we’ve broken down what you can expect, and what you can get up to, at this year’s Bristol Pride 2023.
When is Bristol Pride 2023 Parade March?
Probably the most important aspect of Bristol Pride 2023. The Parade March is a chance to show how diverse and proud Bristol is as a city. It is a statement for equality and justice, as well as a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community’s contribution to the city. A protest against the injustices still plaguing LGBTQ+ people around the world. As such, the march remains a vital part of Pride.
The Bristol Pride 2023 Parade March will gather at gather from 10 am at the bandstand end of Castle Park on July 8 from 10 am and will depart at 10.45 am. Encouraging people of all communities who actively support LGBT+ human rights to join, 20,000 people took part last year and organisers expect these record numbers to be repeated in 2023. The two-mile walking parade will take about 1 hour to complete, passing through Broadmead, the Old City and along Harbourside to where it will end at Lloyd’s Amphitheatre. From then, the party will begin.
Where is the Pride Day Festival?
An incredible 40,000 people attended the award-winning festival in 2022 on The Downs. With space got five stages, Pride Day is one of Bristol’s largest festivals. Aiming to be an open and accessible event for all, you can expect a fantastic range of activities and an amazing line-up bringing down the house too.
Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears will headline Pride Day’s Main Stage, with Australian icon Natalie Imbruglia taking the new Afternoon Legends slot. Also performing at this year’s Bristol Pride 2023 is Girls Aloud’s Nadine Coyle, 90s singer Alison Limerick, and synth-pop band Sophie and the Giants.
Meanwhile, the Cabaret Stage has attracted cutting-edge, flamboyant and unpredictable performers, including the winner of Canada’s Drag Race vs The World Ra’Jah O’Hara and Tia Kofi from Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. While Guinness World Record-holding circus artist, Symoné, brings an exciting programme of entertainment to the Circus Tent. The Dance and Performance Stage will host everything from street dance to theatre dance to Zumba.
Lastly, the Get Qweird stage welcomes the team from Punka to the programme music this year. Showcasing Bristol’s most boundary-pushing queer art, music, and performance artists. From musicians, high-energy musical numbers, storytelling, poetry, dance, circus puppetry, and drag. Performers include performance artists Astro Zenica and Eve Bee, and musicians like Cosmic Ninja.
How much are tickets to Pride Day?
Everyone will be asked for a £4 donation at the gates. (Isn’t that a steal!) But organisers encourage attendees to purchase a Supporter Wristband beforehand. Priced from £7, they not only enable future events like Pride Day to remain accessible to all.
They also come with some great rewards on Pride Day and across the city. These include cheaper bar prices, Free Travel on First Bus, discounts or freebies with food traders, a dedicated festival entry gate lane, £1 off Bristol Ferry Boat trips, discounted 6 O’clock Gin and Tonic at Watershed, 10% off food and drink in Everard’s Bar & Restaurant and more. To purchase yours head here.
Will there be an afterparty?
Your house or mine? Seriously though, The Official Afterparty will take over the Bristol O2 Academy from 10 pm. This fundraising night helps keep Pride Day a donation entry festival, with three incredible rooms of top international talent and local DJs performing.
The likes of The Shapeshifters, Guilty Pleasures and R&SHE will play. While aerial hoop artist Alexa, dance performers from Streetenvy Plus and specially curated walkabout performances, drag gogo dancers and more will weave throughout the afterparty.
Where else is happening across Bristol Pride 2023?
As previously said a whole programme of events is happening from June 24 to July 8 across Bristol venues. Too many to list all here. But from sporting events to cinema nights, circus shows to poetry readings, there’s something for everyone. Check out all the events and learn more about Bristol Pride 2023 here.