Brighton Pride is one of the biggest and most colourful celebrations of LGBTQ+ culture and community in the UK.
Having lived in Brighton for several years, Brighton Pride is always one of my highlights of the year. I love how the city comes alive to party and protest!
With a vibrant parade, lively street parties, and a diverse range of events and performances, Brighton Pride is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to celebrate love, diversity, and inclusivity.
If you’re planning to attend Brighton Pride, whether it’s your first time or you’re a seasoned Pride-goer, there’s a lot to see and do, and it can be overwhelming to navigate.
Read on for everything you need to know about Brighton Pride, from the parade route and schedule of events to the best places to stay, drink, and party during the festivities.
So grab your rainbow flag and get ready to join in the celebration!
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What is Brighton Pride?
Brighton Pride is an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and community that takes place in the city of Brighton, UK.
It began in 1972 as a small march through the city and has grown into one of the largest Pride events in the UK, attracting visitors from around the world.
The festival includes a colourful and lively parade, as well as a diverse range of events, parties, and performances that showcase LGBTQ+ culture and promote equality, diversity, and inclusivity.
Brighton Pride is more than just a celebration – it’s a symbol of resistance, pride, and solidarity for the LGBTQ+ community, and a chance for people of all identities and backgrounds to come together in a spirit of love and acceptance.
When is Brighton Pride?
Brighton Pride will take place from 2nd – 5th August 2024, with the parade happening on Saturday 4th August and the concert on Saturday 4th – Sunday 5th August.
The city is normally packed over the weekend when the bulk of the events take place. Saturday is the biggest day with the parade in the morning, followed by Fabulouso Pride in the Park (the concert) and the Pride Village Party, which both go on for two days.
Which Brighton Pride events should I go to?
There are many events and activities taking place throughout the festival, so it’s worth taking some time to look through the schedule and plan out your itinerary in advance.
Brighton Pride Parade
You definitely don’t want to miss the parade, which starts in Hove at 11am and travels through Brighton up to Preston Park.
The parade features a diverse range of community groups, charities, and businesses, all marching together to show their support for LGBTQ+ rights.
The parade route winds through the city streets, passing by some of Brighton’s most iconic landmarks, and attracts huge crowds of spectators.
It goes on for quite a while so you might not want to stay for the whole thing, but there’s definitely lots to see – and you might grab some freebies.
Check out a map of the parade route here.
Fabulouso Pride in the Park
Aside from the parade, this is the main event of the weekend. This is a live music festival in Preston Park with several stages and big-name acts. Headline acts at Brighton Pride 2023 included the Black Eyed Peas, Steps and Melanie C.
Pride Village Party
If you’re after something more casual, the Pride Village Party takes place in Kemptown on Saturday and Sunday and is perfect for rave lovers. This is my event of choice – I love the vibe, which is similar to Notting Hill Carnival.
The streets are closed to traffic and DJs pop up. Everyone fills the streets and dances as the sun goes down.
What else is on?
Between the parade and the party, we normally chill on the beach and have some food and drinks. It’s always very busy and has a great vibe – just make sure you pack suncream if you plan to do this.
You can also head into town and get some food or go to the pub, but consider booking in advance as everywhere tends to be pretty full.
If you’re interested in cultural and arts events, there are a range of exhibitions, performances, and talks taking place across the city, covering topics such as LGBTQ+ history, politics, and identity.
Where to watch Brighton Pride Parade
The busiest part of the parade is in the centre of Brighton around West Street and North Street. If you’re looking for atmosphere, this is the place to be but be warned – it does get pretty busy.
We prefer to watch the parade from where it starts in Hove. It tends to be much quieter here so you can get a good view before heading into Brighton for the afternoon events.
If you’re not an early bird (the parade starts at 11am in Hove) you can also head up to Preston Park, north of the centre of Brighton, where the parade ends, which is also normally quieter than watching from central Brighton.
Looking for other fun things to do in Brighton? Check out our list.
How to get tickets to Brighton Pride
Tickets for Brighton Pride can be purchased online through the official website. The website usually provides a variety of ticket options, including individual day tickets, weekend passes, VIP packages, and more.
The prices of the tickets can vary depending on the package and the date of purchase.
Definitely purchase tickets as far in advance as possible as they normally sell out quickly, especially for popular events such as the Fabulouso Pride in the Park and the Pride Village Party.
If you’re going to the Pride Village Party, make sure you pick up your wristband from the box office, as you can’t just turn up with your ticket.
It gets pretty busy on the day so factor this into your plans (or ask a Brighton-based friend to pick it up in advance for you).
When do Brighton Pride tickets go on sale?
Tickets for Fabulouso Pride in the Park are on sale now and expected to sell out quickly by the summer. Tickets for the Pride Village Party normally go in sale around June – these generally sell out around mid-July, but it’s better not to wait too long.
Where should I stay for Brighton Pride?
There are a lot of great places to stay in Brighton during Pride, but the best location for you will depend on your budget, preferences, and priorities.
Accommodation in Brighton gets very booked up and pretty expensive over Pride weekend, so definitely book as far in advance as possible.
If you want to be close to the heart of the action, the Kemptown area is a popular choice as it’s close to the main parade route and the festival grounds.
The North Laine area is also a good option as it’s within walking distance of the parade and offers a lively and diverse atmosphere with plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafes.
For a quieter and more residential area that’s still within easy reach of the city centre, Hove is a good choice.
Alternatively, if you’re on a budget or prefer a more relaxed atmosphere, you may want to consider staying in one of the nearby towns or villages such as Lewes, Rottingdean, or Shoreham-by-Sea, which offer good transport links to Brighton.
If you can’t secure accommodation, lots of people choose to get the train from London or other nearby cities. The trains can be very busy over Pride weekend so be prepared!
What is the theme for the Brighton Pride Parade?
Last year was the 50th anniversary of of the first ‘Brighton Gay Pride March’ organised in 1973. To celebrate and remember these trailblazers, the theme of Brighton Pride 2023 was “dare to be different”.
The celebrations continued to champion the theme of Love – Protest – Unity, as well as showing support for Trans people in the face of injustice.
The theme for 2024 is yet to be announced.
Where is Pride in Brighton?
The celebrations happen across the city – there really is something going on everywhere.
The main parade starts at Hove Lawns and travels into central Brighton, around West Street and North Street, before heading up to Preston Park in North Brighton.
The two-day concert takes place in Preston Park while the village party takes place in Kemptown in East Brighton.
How long does Brighton Pride go on for?
Brighton Pride takes place over the first weekend of August, with the concert and village party taking place on these days. The parade happens on Saturday.
As it’s a bank holiday weekend, there are still after parties and unofficial events happening on the Monday, as well as warm up events on the Friday before the weekend, such as the silent disco at the i360.
What to take to Brighton Pride
If you’re heading out for the whole day, these are a few of the essentials you need:
- Rainbow flags and pride decorations
- Rainbow face paint. I love this kind – perfect for drawing on your friends!
- Suncream and a sunhat
- Raincoat or poncho (trust me, it may be August but in 2023 the weather was awful and we were so grateful for these). These ones are great to keep handy.
- Hand sanitiser and tissues
- Water bottle
How to get to Brighton Pride
There are several ways to get to Brighton Pride, depending on where you’re coming from and how you prefer to travel.
Many of the roads in central Brighton are closed over Pride weekend so make sure you plan your travel well and arrive as far in advance as possible.
Definitely don’t try and drive into central Brighton on the Saturday morning!
Here are some options:
Train
Brighton is well-connected to London and other major UK cities by train. You can take a direct train from London Victoria or London Bridge stations to Brighton, which takes around an hour.
From the station, it’s a short walk to the Pride festival site and parade route.
Bus
There are several bus companies that run services to Brighton from other UK cities. The main bus station in Brighton is located in the city centre, a short walk from the festival site.
Car
If you’re driving to Brighton, be aware that parking can be limited and expensive, especially during Pride. It’s best to park outside of the city and take public transport into the city centre.
Walking
If you’re staying in the city centre, it’s easy to walk to the Pride festival site and parade route. Just be aware that the city can be crowded and busy during Pride, so be prepared for large crowds and road closures.
That’s all for the Ultimate Guide to Brighton Pride! More questions? Let us know in the comments.
