June is officially Pride Month – a time when we celebrate our LGBTQ+ communities. Wondering why it takes place in June? It’s to honour the Stonewall uprising: a series of protests conducted by New York’s LGBTQ+ community in June 1969.
This June and July, you’ll find plenty of Pride celebrations across the North of England and Scotland. From fabulous festivals to one-off activities, here’s our round-up of the best UK Pride events in the North and Scotland over the next couple of months.
When: 25th June
An event taking place within easy reach of the Lake District is Lancaster Pride. It’s been going for several years now and is a lovely smaller event to attend if you’re not keen on big crowds.
Lancaster’s Pride parade will kick off at 11am and wind its way towards Dalton Square where the main festival will be taking place. Expect to see lots of food and drink stalls, plus musical performances from both local and regional acts.
When: 15th July
Glasgow Pride’s march is the largest event of its kind in Scotland and well worth adding to your agenda. This year, it’s in mid-July and will see the city come alive with a vibrant parade and various other exciting events.
The theme for this year’s Glasgow Pride (also known as Mardi Gla) is ‘Women of the LGBTQ+ Community’, so you can expect to see a few nods to this on the big day. As well as a procession through the streets, the Strathclyde Students Union building will be transformed into the Pride Hub where there’ll be food, drinks, games and more.
When: 21st – 23rd July
Fancy combining an escape to the Lakes with a fun LGBTQ+ festival? Say hello to Kendal Pride! 2023 marks the Cumbrian town’s first Pride event, so it couldn’t be a more exciting one to attend.
The festival aims to bring a splash of colour to the town’s traditional grey stone buildings with decorations and an array of arts, crafts and creative activities. Kendal Pride will also focus on nature by encouraging people to spend time outdoors in the stunning surrounding scenery.
When: 22nd – 23rd July
If Newcastle is your home or nearest city, you’re in for a treat. It hosts one of the biggest Pride events in the North, with this year’s festivities taking place in late July.
Get ready to be wowed by the huge Northern Pride March which begins at midday on Saturday 22nd from the Newcastle Civic Centre. Afterwards, you’ll be able to explore the stalls and activities at the Rainbow Village at the Town Moor which, due to popular demand, will be open all weekend long.
The city is also well known for hosting lots of musical performances and events during Pride. Take a peek at the full line-up, including a Ministry of Sound after-party, on the official Northern Pride website.
When: 29th July
After hosting Eurovision in May, Liverpool couldn’t be a more thrilling place to celebrate Pride! The city is known for its festivities too, with its amazing March With Pride parade taking place along the Liverpool waterfront.
In 2023, Liverpool Pride will be extra special as it’s held jointly with Ukraine’s Kyiv Pride. It’s illegal to host such events in Ukraine at the moment, so the Liverpool event will bring the two LGBTQ+ communities together in a show of solidarity and celebration.
The event is being organised by the Liverpool Pride Foundation and exact details, besides from the date, are still to be confirmed. Keep an eye on the Liverpool Pride website for updates.
Keen to tick off one (or all!) of these incredible Pride events? Remember to book your tickets in advance online or on the TPExpress app.
If you’re after even more things to do in June on our network, why not explore the rest of our blog for inspiration? From family days out to Father’s Day experiences, there’s so much to add to your calendar.
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