Everything you need to know ahead of Newcastle Pride this weekend

Following the resounding success of last year’s celebrations, which saw 70,000 people take part, Newcastle Pride attendees will join together under this year’s theme of City of Hope, Streets of Joy, presented in partnership with Newcastle NE1, Newcastle City Council, North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Community Foundation North East and Arts Council England.

 The full festival weekend includes…

 Newcastle Pride Arena:

This year the Newcastle Pride Arena will return to Times Square for two unforgettable days of music, queer art and celebration. The main stage will once again be hosted by the legendary Miss Rory, who will be joined by Ophelia B, Elijah Young and Chai Tea. There will also be a host of street food vendors and bars alongside a glitter station and merch stand.

The Pride Arena will be open from 12pm on both Saturday and Sunday and tickets are still available to buy.

• Saturday will feature a line-up of big-name acts including pop icon Nadine Coyle, dance floor queen Katy B, drag superstar & HeSheThey resident DJ Bimini, plus RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard.

• Sunday will see a jam-packed schedule of pop anthems and dance classics to drag excellence and sing-along moments, with an electrifying mix of live acts, tribute powerhouses and Pride favourites including QueenZ Live, Chappell Roan by JC, The Harry Styles show starring internet sensation Sean Mac, Olivia Rodrigo by Good 4 Olivia and Ophelia Balls, amongst others.

Free Festival Zones:

• Family and Youth Zone – The Family and Youth Zone will return to Newcastle Theatre Royal this year on 26th July, offering a variety of free, fun and creative activities for LGBTQIA+ families, children, young people and allies. Highlights include a sing-along with Gloria Love, mini disco with Dance City, Ghetto Fabulous family catwalk extravaganza alongside colourful crafts, facepainting, dress-up and photo stations. Supported by Community Foundation North East.

• Trans+ Zone – Hosted at Northern Stage, the Newcastle Pride Trans+ Zone celebrates trans+ identities, creativity and community. Sponsored by British Airways Flying Proud, visitors can enjoy a mini market with local vendors, a zine swap, yoga, sexual health bus, cabaret show, makeup workshop and daytime beats from Newcastle’s own DJ EMpTY from 1pm.

• Tyger Comms Stage – hosted at Grey’s Monument, the Tyger Comms Monument Stage will offer an afternoon of unmissable performances hosted by Gloria Love and Carl Harrison.

• Screen on the Green – Old Eldon Square. A takeover of NE1’s Screen on the Green, with a Pride Party at 12pm and a showing of Wicked at 3pm.

Market Village:

The Market Village returns to Grey’s Monument and Old Eldon Square on Saturday 25th July between 12pm – 5pm, with over 50 stalls from artists, local businesses, healthcare providers, community groups, many of which use their work and their art to improve the lives of the LGBTQIA+ community and charities.

Pride March:

This year’s annual Pride March will be bringing people together to celebrate this year’s theme of City of Hope, Streets of Joy, with thousands of community members, allies, local people and businesses set to fill the streets with a colourful message of inclusivity.

The March will begin at 12pm following an address by Dame Kelly Holmes. As in previous years, the March will begin at the Civil Centre, then head down St Mary’s Place and Northumberland Street before finishing at Grey’s Monument where a series of powerful speeches will take place.

Transport and accessibility:

Newcastle Airport is the official Accessibility Partner for 2026, marking Newcastle Pride’s commitment to ensuring that everyone can enjoy this year’s festivities and that Pride remains welcoming, safe and inclusive for all attendees.

• As with previous years, the entire festival will be fully wheelchair accessible, with all official partner venues providing step-free access and essential facilities, including accessible toilets. This extends across all festival zones, including the Pride Arena, where AccessaLoo units will be available for attendees requiring hoist and changing facilities.

• To ensure the weekend is inclusive for deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters will be present at the Main Stage and Trans+ Stage.