Brighton Pride 2017: Parade route, travel advice, events, celebs and more
Brighton Pride is set to take place this weekend with three days of jam-packed events for you to attend.
The event has been a key part of Brighton’s history since the first ever march took place in 1973.
300,000 people are expected to attend the event which will boast performances from The Pet Shop Boys, Years and Years, and of course all your favourite drag queens!
The march also has a very special significance as “the oldest gay in the village” George Montague will likely be there celebrating 50 years since homosexuality was decriminalised by in England and Wales, the first step in the long road to equality.
The full Brighton Pride festival takes place from Friday, August 4 to Sunday, August 6.
What is the route for the Brighton Pride march?
The parade kicks off at 11 am on Saturday, August 5 at Hove Lawns and marchers and floats will make their way through the centre of Brighton and finish at Preston Park, where the main event will kick off at 12.30 pm.
Start: Hove Lawns
Walk along the seafront on Kings Road
Turn up West Street towards Brighton City centre
Turn down North Street towards the Old Steine
Old Steine, where Pride Pleasure Gardens will be situated
Along Old Steine/Grand Parade opposite Brighton Pavillion
Straight along Marlborough Place, Gloucester Place, and York Place
End: Preston Park
Along the route, you’ll see brilliant floats which will likely be handing out freebies and getting the party started.
What are the changes to bus and train travel?
Rail Unions have fortunately suspended strike action this year, diverting travel issues encountered at last years event. Depending on where you hope to celebrate Pride, you will be able to alight from either Hove, Preston Park or Brighton stations with ease.
Bus services will likely be diverted if they usually pass through the centre of town, however, this will change throughout the day as the Parade exits the centre of town. For regular updates on bus routes visit the Brighton & Hove Bus Company website.
For residents or those hoping to drive over the weekend, Preston Road will be closed for terrorism prevention reasons southbound from 10 am to midnight and northbound from 1 pm to midnight.
What should I wear to Brighton Pride?
Of course, you can wear anything but we recommend lots of colour and of course glitter!
The theme for the festival this year is “Summer of Love”, so we’re sure you can work that into your wonderful outfits too.
What events are taking place during Brighton Pride?
Friday
The S Club Party is the official Pride warm up part and will be held in Club Tropicana as part of the Pride Pleasure Gardens Festival which will take place across the whole weekend at the Old Steine offering cabaret and live music.
Saturday
The main events of Saturday are of course the parade and the performance by The Pet Shop Boys and Years and Years.
Louisa Johnson, Becky Hill and Fickle Friends are all supporting acts for the two headliners.
In the Pride Pleasure Garden Lucy Spraggen, Frankie Furlow and DJ Sean Quinn will perform.
The Pride Village party which takes place on St James Street, the hub of Brighton’s LGBT community, will also be host to cabaret acts, comedy shows and numerous other acts.
The Main Stage, The Wild Fruit Dance Tent, The Legends Cabaret Tent, Bears and Men’s Dance tent and much more will be on offer in Preston Park.
Tickets are £27.50 per person a wristband which guarantees entry to all attractions will be provided.
Sunday
As part of the Pride community day, the Pride Dog Show will take place and celebrate LGBT pooches.
Later on in the evening, Brighton Palace Pier will be holding the Pride fireworks display at 9:30 pm.
