Top 5 Gay Prides 2010 – UK
June 30, 2010
PRIDE LONDON
Dates: Fri 18th June – Sat 3rd July (Pride Fortnight), Wed 23rd June – Thu 8th July (WorldPride)
Price: FREE
Pride London is actually a full two weeks of events, although the main event is of course on Saturday 3rd July when the parade takes place. The parade theme is Paint the Town Ruby Red, as organisers hope to celebrate 40 years of the Gay Liberation Front. That means 70s dress-up, disco and the cast of Hair the musical to perform.
On the main stage will be big names as well as gay faves, such as the cast of Wicked, The Freemasons, Dame Edna, QBoy and Massive Ego. WorldPride is also kicking off in London at the same time, so expect huge crowds of sexy boys and girls from across the world. Last year, a million people turned up, making this the largest outdoor event in the UK.
What's more, it's all free, so what's there to complain about?
MANCHESTER PRIDE
Dates: Fri 20th – Thu 26th August (Pride Fringe), Fri 27th – Mon 30th August (The Big Weekend)
Price: £12.50 – £20.00 plus booking fee
The core of Manchester Pride, for the clubbing die-hards, is The Big Weekend, where all the venues jack up their prices and the stalls fill the streets. For those queers north of Watford (and those who can afford the travel costs), Manchester Pride is the main pride event of the year.
Manchester Pride also caters to those who prefer their pride with a side order of culture, rather than European dance acts and soap stars. Check out its annual Pride Fringe festival for arts and sports events, educational workshops and comedy. Highlights are the Mish Mash cabaret show at Sackville Gardens on Saturday 28th August and the launch of illustrator Phil Corbett's children's book, Scary Mary's Hairy Beary Fairy Tales.
The main stage will also feature the usual parade of gay icons and Z-list celebrities and the parade kicks off at 1pm on the Saturday. Early bird tickets start at £12.50 plus booking fee and are available from manchesterpride.com.
LEEDS PRIDE
Date: Sun 1st August
Price: FREE
Although small by the standards of Manchester Pride and London Pride, Leeds Pride has grown exponentially every year. Last year's 17,000 visitors was a record, and with Leeds Pride this year falling on the same day as Yorkshire Day, it is expected this record will be broken come 1st August. Highlights include a stage and TV screen at Millennium Square, a fairground on Lower Briggate, a vibrant parade through the city centre and yet another of the iconic Courtyard Parties held between Queens Court and Bar Fibre for which the city is justly famous. The parade is rumoured to feature bikers, drag queen chorus lines and the Blasphemy Boys' Yacht. Money is raised throughout for local charities such as Yorkshire MESMAC and the best part is: it's free!
NORTHERN PRIDE
Date: 17th July
Price: FREE
Northern Pride is held in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and is the largest gay pride festival for the North East. Last year figures of 6,000 were confirmed, putting the festival third only to Manchester and Leeds in the North of England.
The parade kicks off at 12pm sharp, with registration starting at 11.30am if you would like to join in. Leazes Park, where the parade finishes, will then host the remaining celebrations, which include entertainment, arts, live music, DJ sets, sport, food and drink, and plenty of partying.
In the run-up to the event, Pride Radio will also be broadcasting from now until the big day finishes on 87.9FM and online, playing camp favourites like Shirley Bassey and Kylie, sets from top local DJs, and interviews with scene celebrities.
DONCASTER PRIDE
Date: Saturday 21st August
Location: Doncaster Racecourse
Price: £3 / free for under 16s
Acts headlining the fourth Doncaster Pride include Toyah, Liz McLarnon from Atomic Kitten and S Club. That means you're guaranteed a gay old time!
Relocated to Doncaster Racecourse, this year's pride is bigger than in previous years, and hence a small entry fee is now payable. Attendees shouldn't be disheartened though, as it all goes back into funding the celebrations for next year, which should be even bigger.
. . . AND THE WORST?
BRIGHTON PRIDE
The once much-loved Brighton Pride has been beset by troubles most event organisers only have nightmares about. Sponsors have come and gone, organisations and institutions have pulled out, and now the coast's favourite pride is on rocky ground indeed. Those that have pulled out include Popstarz and the Women's Tent. Whether the event goes ahead at all is anybody's guess . . .
