Birmingham Pride 2026: Tens of thousands expected
One of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ festivals returns with parade, music and community events across the Bank Holiday weekend
One of the UK’s largest celebrations of LGBTQ+ culture returns to Birmingham this weekend, with tens of thousands of people expected to gather across the city.
Birmingham Pride takes place over the Bank Holiday weekend, with organisers saying more than 75,000 spectators are expected to line the parade route and attend the ticketed festival.
Speaking ahead of the opening day, Birmingham Pride director Eva Echo said the weekend begins with a community-led event.
“Today kicks off Birmingham Pride with the big free community event, which starts at 6.30… that is for the community, by the community,” they said.
The event continues on Saturday with a parade setting off from Victoria Square at 12:00, travelling through the city centre before finishing at Hippodrome Square.
“It’s always amazing to see everybody come out with their colours, in full support of the LGBTQ+ community, and just being part of the atmosphere and the love and the unity,” they added.
They said Pride remains both a celebration and a protest, highlighting ongoing challenges facing LGBTQ+ communities.
“Right now we are living in turbulent times… there’s so much division,” they said. “We need to remember we actually have a lot more in common with each other than that which divides us.”
They added that the event is especially important for marginalised groups.
“The trans+ community are under constant attack… events like this are still important because there is so much work that needs to be done,” they said.
This year’s festival is again based at the Smithfield site, with plans to return the event to the Gay Village on Hurst Street currently paused.
Headline performances include Katy B and Sigala on Saturday’s main stage, with drag performer Danny Beard also appearing.
On Sunday, Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle will headline alongside Björn Again, with Boney M ft Mazie Williams, Kelly Llorenna and Black Peppa also performing.
The event is not-for-profit, with organisers saying more than £500,000 has been awarded to local LGBTQ+ support groups and community organisations since 2014.
Organisers say previous editions have attracted more than 40,000 people to the festival site alone, with thousands more joining the parade through the city.
A ticket or wristband is required for entry to the festival site, while the parade remains free to watch.