🐦🏳️‍🌈 Brighton Pride: Loud, Proud, and Packed

Hey Brighton 🌈

It’s here. The biggest, boldest, most unapologetically fabulous weekend in the city’s calendar.

Pride takes over Brighton this week, and with over 300,000 people expected to join the celebrations, the energy is already fizzing. From drag royalty in the streets to DJs spinning on the seafront, the entire city becomes one big, colourful, radical party.

But Brighton Pride isn’t just glitter and confetti (although we’re big fans of both). It’s a legacy born from protest - a celebration of love, visibility, and progress that began with a march in 1972 and still matters just as much today.

So whether you’re here to march, dance, remember, or just soak it all in, we’ve pulled together everything you need to make the most of the weekend - from the headline acts in Preston Park to the garden gigs, beach parties, family raves, bushcraft sessions and vinyl treasure hunts happening all around town.

Here’s what’s squawking this week:

🏳️‍🌈 Pride highlights, parades & afterparties
☕️ Coffee & Thai food festivals you’ll want on your calendar
🎨 Creative workshops, outdoor sketching & secret comedy
🥂 Plus live music, pride events and everything else on this weekend

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Brighton Pride is more than a party – it’s a legacy.

What began as a defiant demonstration by the Sussex Gay Liberation Front in 1972 has grown into the UK’s most iconic LGBTQ+ celebration, drawing over 300,000 visitors to the city every year. Since restarting in 1991 (as a protest to the homophobic Section 28), the festival has flourished into a vibrant, city-wide spectacle - raising over £922,000 for local LGBTQ+ groups and injecting more than £30 million into the local economy.

Organised by the Brighton Pride CIC, the event champions equality, diversity, and grassroots community causes. And while its heart remains political, its spirit is joyfully unapologetic. With drag queens on parade floats, DJs spinning beachside, and rainbow flags flying from every window.

Whether you’re marching for love, dancing ‘til dawn, or simply soaking it all in, this year’s Pride promises unforgettable moments across the city.

Here’s what not to miss:

🌈 The Big Three

🏳️‍🌈 The Parade
Saturday, 3 Aug – 11am from Hove Lawns
The heart of Pride. Expect floats, dancers, campaigners, and drag royalty as the parade weaves its way through the city centre to Preston Park. More Info

🎤 Pride in the Park
Saturday & Sunday @ Preston Park
The big-ticket festival with live stages, cabaret, community stalls, and headliners like Mariah Carey, Sugababes, and Natalie Imbruglia. Expect drag, DJs, and every shade of fabulous. Tickets

🎉 Pride Street Party
Saturday & Sunday @ Marine Parade & Kemptown
Street food, seafront bars, dancing in the streets. Hosted by local LGBTQ+ venues with non-stop energy and outrageous fun. More Info

Friday

🎉 Pre-Pride Party
6pm @ Buzz Bingo, 1 Freshfield Way
Kick off Pride weekend with bingo, music, and fabulous drag entertainment by Betty Bangs. Tickets

🏃‍♂️ Brighton & Hove 5K Rainbow Run
5:30–9pm @ Hove Park
Walk, run, or jog the 5K with a live DJ, colourful drag hosts, and Pride celebrations. More Info

🛼 Rainbow Roll
7–10pm @ The Beach Rink, Brighton
Sparkly roller disco with lights, sequins, and retro beats to start Pride weekend rolling. More Info

🎸 Pride Rock 2025
6pm @ Chalk, Brighton
Sophie Lloyd, Bex, and Lady Rage bring a hard rock edge to Brighton Pride. More Info

🎧 Pride Silent Disco Tour
6–7pm Friday @ Victoria Gardens, Brighton
Take to the streets for a rainbow-fuelled silent waldisco parade. Tickets

Saturday

🎉 Pride All Stars All Dayer
12pm–2am @ The Hope & Ruin
All-day queer party with brunch, cocktails, and DJs ramping up into the night. More Info

🎉 Pride Party!
1:30–5:30pm & 7pm–late @ Caroline of Brunswick
Day and night parties with live music, rave classics, and a Pride crowd. More Info

🎧 30 Odd Years of Innerfield & Bust the Box!
10pm–4am @ Carats Beach Café, Shoreham
Beach rave with the legendary Innerfield Soundsystem and special guest DJs. More Info

🎶 Rose Hill Pride Weekender
12pm @ Rose Hill Terrace, Brighton
DJ Teddy Flex and friends soundtrack this intimate Pride weekender. More Info

🏖 Brighton Pride Beach Party 2025
All day@ Brighton Music Hall
Non-stop live music and sunset DJs right on Brighton Beach. (FREE entry) More Info

Sunday

🎧 BEEFMINCE Brighton Pride Daytime Party
4–10pm Sunday @ Concorde 2
Big terrace Pride party with DJs, burgers, and dancefloor energy. Tickets

🎤 Pride Open Mic with Robin Coward
6pm Sunday @ Nautilus Lounge, St James’s Street
Wind down Pride with live music and an open mic night. More Info

🎨 Evolution Arts

Tucked away on Tichborne Street in central Brighton, Evolution Arts has been quietly inspiring locals for over 30 years. Founded on Buddhist principles of creativity, openness, and community, this not‑for‑profit centre is a hub for anyone looking to learn a new skill, meet like‑minded people, or simply slow down and enjoy something creative.

Whether you’re drawn to yoga, painting, lino printing, creative writing, dance or photography, Evolution’s schedule is packed with daytime, evening, and weekend workshops designed for all abilities.

Just a few of their over 30 classes to choose from:

📍 Location: Brighton Buddhist Centre, 17 Tichborne Street, BN1 1UR
🔗 Website: www.evolutionarts.org.uk

This week, we’re spotlighting two Brighton festivals that celebrate two of my favourite things: coffee and Thai food. Brighton Coffee Festival is a playground for caffeine lovers with tastings, talks, and latte‑art mastery. A week later, Magic of Thailand Festival transforms Preston Park into a mini Thailand with street food, music, dance, and the irresistible aroma of sizzling spices.

☕ Brighton Coffee Festival | All Saints, Hove

If coffee is your love language, this weekend is your playground. Brighton Coffee Festival brings together 50+ speciality roasters and brands for two full days of sipping, tasting, and learning. Your ticket includes a lanyard and access to free samples, cupping sessions, live talks, and panel discussions with coffee pros.

Watch the Latte Art Championships, explore the community brew bar featuring local favourites like Loam, Komodo, Triple Point, and Red Roaster, and chill to sets from the resident DJs.

📍 All Saints, The Drive, Hove
🗓 9–10 August 2025
🎟 From £12.50 | Website & Tickets

🇹🇭 Magic of Thailand Festival | Preston Park

Preston Park transforms into a vibrant slice of Thailand for a weekend of sights, sounds, and incredible street food. Wander past stalls serving authentic Thai curries, papaya salads, beer, and cocktails, then stock up on groceries, crafts, and Thai-style products to take home.

The entertainment is non-stop: traditional dances, Muay Thai demos, ladyboy shows, Buddhist blessings, kids rides, and even the “I’m British Get Me Out of Here” eating competition for the brave! With vegan, vegetarian, and halal options, a family-friendly vibe, and dogs allowed, it’s the closest you’ll get to a Thai street festival without the flight.

📍 Preston Park, Brighton
🗓 16–17 August 2025
🎟 £6 adults, under 15s free | Tickets

🎪 General Events

🏰 Bounce @ Hove Park
10–11:30am Friday @ Hove Park
Inflatable fun park for kids up to 11 with slides, castles, and obstacle courses. More Info

🌿 Back to Nature Bush-craft Course
10am Friday @ Stanmer Organics
Hands-on forest skills from fire-lighting to foraging. More Info

🦋 Butterfly Walk
11–12:30pm Sunday @ St Ann’s Well Gardens, Hove
Guided butterfly walk led by local expert Dan Danahar (£5). More Info

🎨 Urban Sketchers Brighton: The Level
10:30am–12pm Saturday @ The Level
Bring your own art kit and sketch Brighton landmarks with a friendly group. More Info

🎡 Rottingdean Village Fair
10am Saturday @ Rottingdean Village Pond
Celebrate 100 years of this charming fair with stalls, games, and local fun. More Info

🎲 Kids Club Adventures (Ages 8–15)
3:30–6:30pm Friday @ Dice Saloon, London Road
Board games, D&D, and miniatures painting for young gamers. More Info

💿 Pop-Up Record Sale
3–6pm Friday @ 6 Woodland Way, Brighton
Captain Bob’s garden record and CD sale with eclectic vinyl finds. More Info

🎵 Live Music / Shows

🎙️ Suspiciously Elvis
Fri 6–11pm @ Hollingbury Golf Course
Summer BBQ and a night of singing along with the King.

🤘 Batshitball
Fri 7pm–12am @ The Yellow Book, Brighton
Metal night paying tribute to Ozzy and Sabbath.

🎶 Fail Better: Auditory Hallucinations
Fri 8–11pm @ The Prince Albert
Experimental music from Ryosuke Kiyasu, Shark Stuff, and The Brothers Bula.

🎵 Twenty Music Roots: Steve Wickham + Guests
Fri 7:30–10:30pm @ Brunswick Pub
Folk and acoustic show featuring Waterboys legend Steve Wickham.

🎵 MFC Chicken Live
Sat 7pm @ The Dorset, North Laine
Rock’n’roll meets Pride party at this lively pub gig.

🎵 Ed Force One – Iron Maiden Tribute
Sat 6–10pm @ The Arch, Brighton
Top UK Iron Maiden tribute with full classic set and pyrotechnic energy.

🎧 Old Crow Vinyl Revival by DJay
Sat 8pm–12am @ The Old Crow
Four hours of 60s–00s dance hits on vinyl with a cocktail in hand.

🎷 Live Soul, Funk & Disco
Sat 9pm @ The Blue Anchor, Portslade
Funky live set for dancing the night away in a local pub atmosphere.

🎤 Karaoke Night
Sun 7–10pm @ The Sussex, Hove
Sing your heart out with DJ Spoons; food served till 9pm.