Bristol Pride has this morning announced the dates for its 2025 festival. The two-week celebration will take place from Saturday, June 28 to Sunday, July 13, with the hotly anticipated Pride Day set to return to The Downs on Saturday, July 12.
Pride Day will see more than 200 artists perform across five stages, and wristbands are on sale now, with a range of perks for festivalgoers. Early supporters will be entered into prize draws for exclusive items, including signed merchandise and food and drink vouchers.
Named as one of the Top 30 Global Pride events, this year’s Bristol Pride festival drew record-breaking crowds. It saw headline performances from The Human League, Ladytron and Steps’ Claire Richards, while previous festival line-ups have included the likes of Jake Shears, Carly Rae Jepsen, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Mel C.
The 2025 line-up is currently tightly under wraps, but organisers promise a ‘celebration of both established stars and emerging talent’ to look forward to.
In addition to the music, the festival provides a two-week showcase of comedy, theatre, circus and sports events. Pride Day is the cornerstone of celebrations, with The Parade March remaining free for members of the public to join. It’s described as a ‘defining moment’ and ‘unapologetic display of unity, visibility and pride that winds through the heart of the city’.
The 2025 festival will once again feature the beloved Cabaret Stage, where drag performers from Rupaul’s Drag Race will join a line-up of rising stars. The Uplift Stage will highlight alternative queer talent, from punk bands to spoken word artists, while the Circus Tent promises breath-taking performances by leading LGBT+ acrobats.
Family-friendly spaces, a lively marketplace and community areas will round out the Pride Day experience. Organisers say they also remain committed to ensuring the festival remains accessible to all, with a donation-entry option, while creating a sustainable future for the event – wristband sales help to fund not only the festival but also the charity’s year-round work.
Pride director Eve Russell says: “We keep our wristband prices incredibly low so that people can still support us but no one is priced out. I can’t think of any other event where you can see the calibre and variety of acts for as little as £9. It’s amazing value considering there’s 10 hours of entertainment to enjoy and the sense of community that is created – not to mention the extras and discounts people get from having the wristband. It’s a total no-brainer!”