Get Ready For Bristol Pride 2023
For the last two weeks Bristol has been buzzing with lots of events and activities, and we are now approaching the highlight – Pride Day!
Saturday 8th July is the big day, and it all starts with the Parade March. Participants are invited to gather from 10am in Castle Park by The Band Stand. The parade will depart at 10.45am. The parade will wind it’s way through the city centre before ending in the Amphitheatre where the Pride Shuttle Buses will start to take people up to the festival on The Downs – Remember you get free bus travel with First Buses in the whole Bristol Zone on Pride Day with a Pride Supporter Wristband. You can see the route on the Official Pride Parade webpage.
It’s free for members of the public to join the parade but all businesses who are not already a Pride Partner or Supporter need to register and make a small financial contribution to take part, to safeguard its future.
The main Pride event once again takes part on the Bristol Downs in Clifton, close to the famous Clifton Suspension Bridge where An incredible 40,000 people attended the festival in 2022. Last year, the festival welcomed 40,000 people to the Downs for a full line-up of performances spread across five stages. On Saturday, the festival arena will be opening at 12noon.
Bristol Pride is free to enter to ensure the event stays accessible for everyone. However, the organisation is asking those you can to purchase a wristband, starting from just £7, to fund projects throughout the year and ensure the event returns in the future. Wristbands show you have already supported the festival and offer dedicated quick-access gate lanes.
There are five stages again that feature in this years Pride Event – the Main Stage, Cabaret Stage, Circus Tent, Get Qweird x Punka Stage and the Dance Performance Stage.
The Main Stage is headlined by Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears with Natalie Imbruglia in the Afternoon Legends slot. They’re joined by Girl Aloud singer Nadine Coyle, Sophie and The Giants, Denise Pearson (5Star), Alison Limerick, Rhythm of The 90s, Newtion, The Dolly Parton Experience, Sing Out Bristol, Ro Pound, Órla Bligh.
Several afterparties are happening for Bristol Pride on Saturday night, all of which raise contributions for the organisation. The Offical Afterparty at Bristol’s O2 Academy has unfortunatley already sold out, but those lucky enough to have secured a ticket will be treated to special performances from aerial artists, dancers and roaming performers throughout the club night spread across three rooms.
There are also events happening at other venues around the city such as Grrrl Crush at Basement 45, a night of disco and rave on two dancefloors. Booty Bass Collective is also hosting an afterparty at Lost Horizon promising a whole host of queer, non-binary and women DJs.
Lakota is also hosting a Pride fundraiser on Saturday from 10pm – Little Gay Brother w/ Roi Perez – with tickets from just £4.52 each. Motion will be putting on The Abba Disco in partnership with Disco Wonderland from 10pm, starting from £8 a ticket.
Unofficial Pride parties include Slaughterhaus X DolceVita at Strange Brew, London’s famous Dalston Superstore is hosting Fast & Bi-Furious at Crofters Rights, Eat Up! at Exchange and B***h, Pride! After Dark a Pride After Party.
For those unable to attend the event, live coverage of the whole day can be found on Bristol’s Community Radio Station, BCFM by the Shoutout Radio Team
