Rainbows at the ready – York Pride is nearly here!
The countdown to the city’s largest one day free festival and LGBTQ+ celebration has officially started.
York Pride will take place on Saturday 1 June, and will once again start at York Minster with the popular parade through the streets to the Knavesmire.
The colourful parade will leave for the Knavesmire at 12pm, with residents and local businesses marching together with lots of joy, music, and excitement to the main festival.
For the first time this year, there will be a ‘quiet hour’ at the Knavesmire from 11.30am to 12.30pm for those wanting a calmer and quieter experience.
Festival director Will Bosanquet said: “Offering a quiet hour is really important as we want the day to be enjoyed by all and accessible to as many people as possible.
“The music is turned off for this hour and the festival site is very calm meaning that those wanting a more relaxed Pride have to space to do that.”
There will be 150 stalls on the Knavesmire this year, from face-painting to pride merchandise and tasty food offerings. The York Pride Cabaret stage will be making a return, along with the popular bar and dance tent.
The main stage will begin at 12.30pm with DJ Rory and finish at 7pm with headline act ‘The Angels of the North’ – aka RuPaul’s Drag Race UK superstars Michael Marouli, Tomara Thomas, and season five winner Ginger Johnson.
Other main stage acts include the 2024 York Pride Drag Race Winner Miss Diagnosis, 2023 York Pride Drag Race Winner Reese Wetherspoon and all 2024 York Pride Drag Race finalists, Big Boovaz and Booty Love, Jaymi Hensley, Eric Spike and Abba Viynl.
The official afterparty will be held at Ziggy’s on Micklegate. Those with a York Pride wristband will get free entry before 10pm.
Greg Stephenson, chair of York Pride said, “I know every year we say it’s bigger and better but 2024 really will be.
“We have genuinely considered all the feedback we received from the 2023 festival and have made some great changes including adding in more accessible tracking, creating a food and drinks court area as well as reviewing performance times so that everyone can enjoy the day.
“The team have worked very hard again and we can’t wait for Pride day on 1 June and of course a well-earned rest afterwards!”
To find out more about York Pride, visit their website here.