LGBTQ+ Community Parade

Brighton and Hove Pride is set to celebrate a big milestone this year, marking its 35th anniversary of LGBTQ+ visibility in the city. The main events are scheduled for the first weekend of August, specifically Saturday, August 1st, and Sunday, August 2nd, 2026. The weekend officially kicks off with the annual LGBTQ+ Community Parade on Saturday morning. This year’s theme is 'The Power of Love', focusing on solidarity, resistance, and community in the ongoing fight for equality.

If you plan on watching, the parade route runs from Hove Lawns and finishes up at Preston Park. It’s one of the city’s biggest annual events, typically drawing over 300,000 attendees. The organization emphasizes community participation; they aim for at least two-thirds of the participants to be local LGBTQ+ charities, community groups, and businesses. You can expect to see over a hundred organizations represented, including emergency services and the NHS. For groups interested in joining, applications for the Community Parade are currently open, though organizers recommend submitting entries early due to limited space. The parade serves as the gateway to the ticketed event, 'Pride On The Park', which takes place at Preston Park across both days.

The lineup for the park event is already generating significant interest. On Saturday, August 1st, the main stage will feature Raye, known for her recent chart success, and RuPaul, who will be making his Brighton Pride debut with an exclusive DJ set in the 'Icons slot'. The weekend closes on Sunday, August 2nd, with global superstar Diana Ross, headlining 'Pride On The Park' with what is being billed as an exclusive live performance in the UK. Since 'Pride On The Park' is a ticketed event, it’s useful to know the sales schedule: presale access begins at 10 am on Thursday, February 12th, and general sale starts at 10 am on Friday, February 13th. You can sign up on the Brighton and Hove Pride website if you want access to that initial presale.