This year’s Pride in London event will take place 51 years since the first march for LGBTQ+ rights in the capital.
More than a million people packed the streets to mark its 50th anniversary last year.
Thousands of people wore traditional rainbow patterns as they marched through London and this year’s parade is expected to be similarly well attended.
The parade marks a significant day in the LGBTQ+ calendar and is seen as community event that brings people of all background together.
Pride in London hopes to deliver a “diverse, inclusive, community centred parade that is accessible to all based on our core values of Visibility, Unity and Equality.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the pride parade
When was the first parade?
The first march was organised by the Gay Liberation Front (GLF) – a group first formed the US, who wanted to take a stand against discrimination.
In 1970, the group decided to hold its first parade, on the one year anniversary of the uprising at the Stonewall Inn in 1969 – where LGBT+ patrons had been targeted by the New York Police Department.
Not long after, the UK followed suit and on 1 July 1972, a few hundred people marched from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square.
When will year’s march be held?
This year, the pride parade will be held on Saturday 1 July from noon, with over 500 groups and more than 30,000 participants expected to take part.
The application for group entries for the parade has now been closed.
If you’re not part of a group and are not affiliated with an LGBT+ organisation – you can still be a part of the parade in three different ways:
Volunteer as a steward – you’ll be a part of making the parade happen and run smoothly.
An independent participant – You can also choose to attend the event and walk the parade.
As a flag bearer – If you want to be more involved, you can help carry the pride flag along the entire route in a prominent position at the front of the parade.
What route is the Pride Parade taking?
The parade will start off at Hyde Park Corner, then it will pass through Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket Square, Trafalgar Square and then Whitehall.
Throughout the parade, there will also be a few performances across stages in certain areas.
Here are the different stages:
• Trafalgar Square Stage
Music from: West End Cast of SIX the Musical, Janethan, Kings Elliott, Winners of Pride’s Got Talent 2023, Homoparody, Jack Hawitt, Stars Louis III, Dylan & the Moon, Idina Menzel, Todrick Hall and Adam Lambert.
Accessibility: toilets, BSL interpreter, Wheelchair, step free access, service animals welcome.
• Leicester Square – LGBTQIA Women and Non Binary Stage
Music: Grace Parry, Tana, ELKAE, Stars, Eloise Viola, West End Cast of Tina the Musical, Adam All and Apple Derrieres, DragProv, Cabbage The Clown, Eden Hunter, Unorthodox Takeover feat. Nathan X with MC Enamie & performers: Delirium, Spectre, Pinks.
More performances from: The Big Queer Poetry show, DJ Krystal Lake, El Conchitas, Nxdia, Kings Elliot, Victoria Scone and ARXX.
Accessibility: Wheelchair, toilets.
• Golden Square Stage
Music: Louis III, Lordin, Don One, Janethan Christavie, Ozgen, Ben E Davis, Jamie Fuxx, Kajeel Patel, Club Kali and Cocoa Butter Club.
Accessibility: Toilets, service animals welcome.
• Soho Square Stage
Music: Ebony Rose Dark, Bar Wotever, Prinx Silver, Bitten Peach, Princess Julia, Temptation, Amani, The Glory, Tasty Tim, Divas, Eckoes, Lasana Shabazz, Felix Mufti and Satch.
• Dean Street Stage
Music: Sadie Sinner & The Cocoa Butter Club, Beau Jangles, Alexa Vox, HERR & Me, Lola Lasagne, Conleth Kane, London Gay Men’s Chorus, Alpha Dancers, Natalie Gray, Jobie, Jenny Scoones, Aaron Sibley, Andrea Di Giovanni, Sweet FA, Fae Wildfyre, Jordan Charles, Moira Less and Mala.
More performances: Haus Of Zodiac, Winner of Pride’s Got Talent 2023, Marnie Scarlet, BOi Boxm Bourgeois & Maurice, Jordan Gray and Juno Birch.
Accessibility: Venue does not cater for any accessibility needs.
Read more from Sky News:
More people set to be pardoned for historical crimes linked to homosexuality
What it’s like to be LGBTQ+ in a country where you could be killed
How to watch
The parade is free to attend and watch from the side-lines.
You can get a good view from Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square as well as Haymarket and Whitehall.
You can also buy tickets at the Haymarket Grandstand which will be open from 11.30am.
Pride Parade 2022 in pictures
