Notts Pride returns next month with exciting changes and line-up

Notts Pride, returns next month with a new stage and an exciting line-up. Pride celebrations will return to the city of Nottingham on Saturday 26th July, based at the Sneinton Market for the second year, allowing for a larger crowd. More than 10,000 people attended last year, and it is expected that large numbers will turn out again in 2025 for the LGBTQ+ event.

Notts Pride marks the East Midland’s largest free Pride event, and this year, visitors can enjoy a great line-up of entertainment, as well as activities for all ages. The mainstage will be hosted by local drag performers: Marilyn Sane, Liv, and Nana Arthole. Among the mainstage headliners are: Drag Race UK’s Rilesa Slaves; Nottingham-based alt-group Girlband!; non-binary, Asian singer Jason Kwan; London-based singer, Su I Think; alt-soul/pop artist from Nottingham, ROB.GREEN; and Wolverhampton-born singer-songwriter, Tom Aspaul. More artists are still to be announced.

Actor Laquarn Lewis, who stars as the fabulous Lady Die in the BBC series What It Feels Like for a Girl – based on the memoirs of local-born trans writer Paris Lees – will also be giving a speech as part of the event.

A new stage, bar and line-up of food vendors are among the major changes that visitors can expect at this year's Nottinghamshire Pride. The nearby independent music venue, The Grove, which opened its doors last year, will host a new acoustic stage with an "eclectic" line-up.

Notts Pride will commence with a parade through the city centre from Listergate at 12pm, ending at Sneinton Square where celebrations will take place from 1pm-6pm. 2025 will be the event’s second year held at Sneinton Market, having previously been held in the Hockley area, since its beginning in 1997. Some celebrations will still be held on Broad Street, Hockley including a Pride Mezzanine stage hosted with DJs and Performers hosted by Broadway Cinema, and events at venues including The Lord Roberts and The New Foresters; the latter of which is Nottingham's oldest LGBTQ+ venue.

Leigh Ellis, chair of Nottinghamshire Pride, said: "It's incredibly important for us to use the annual Notts Pride celebrations to spotlight amazing local talent, as well as some of the leading stars from across the wider LGBTQ+ community, and this line-up is the perfect example of that.

"This year we're excited to also be introducing a new acoustic stage, offering visitors another way to enjoy the day's festivities.

"Whether you prefer high-energy foot stomping performances, or a more chilled reflective experience, it's set to be a brilliant day centred around coming together in celebration and support."

An official afterparty from Gladrags will also be held after the main Notts Pride event, from 8.30pm-2.30am at Saltbox. Performers include: Freida Slaves, Baby Lame, Fatt Butcher, Blü Romantic, Pork Elizabeth Pie, Liv, and Tok Dabard; hosted by Marilyn Sane and Nana Arthole. The dancefloor will include music from DJ Boz, Baby Tap, and DJ Luxxxury; with dancers Max Morningstar, Toby Envy, Chimellè, Shan, Chantasea, and Arty Baby.

Full information can be found on the Notts Pride website: http://nottspride.co.uk/