Celebrating Pride in Lancashire

It’s Pride Month, and as a county, Lancashire is ready to celebrate.

Pride Month takes place each June due to the anniversary of the Stonewall Riots which took place in New York, 55 years ago. The month commemorates the struggle for civil rights that the LGBTQ+ community have to endure. The events and parades that take place to celebrate Pride are open to all LGBTQ+ community members and their allies as a celebration of love, acceptance and solidarity.

With fantastic LGBTQ+ friendly areas, including Blackpool’s Gay Village which is known as the gay capital of the North, and many businesses that are allies to the community, you will be sure to find Lancashire’s usual warm welcome when visiting for Pride.

The month kicks off with Blackpool’s pride event taking over the Promenade for an entire weekend. That event is followed by events in Blackburn and Lancaster, and there are more Pride events due to take place throughout the summer and into September. Take a look at all the details below…

Blackpool Pride,
Festival Headland
Saturday 8 & Sunday 9 June 2024

A full weekend of fun and music featuring The Cheeky Girls, Natasha Hamilton and Ru Paul’s Drag Race stars, will take place this weekend in the heart of Blackpool. With a theme of “Together we are Stronger” the event is just one part of Blackpool’s gay scene. Tickets for the event are still on sale but are expected to close soon, with prices starting from just £16.50 for one day, or £27.50 for two days. There is a dedicated Youth Pride event on Saturday 8^th June which is free for under 11s and £3.30 for those age 11-17.
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Blackburn Pride,
Blackburn Town Hall Square
Saturday 15 June 2024

With a town parade taking place from 11:45am and a whole host of entertainment throughout the day, Blackburn will be celebrating Pride in style. There will be live music performances, stalls, silent disco and more.

This free event starts at 11:15am and runs through to 6pm. It will be followed by an over 18s after party in the evening at King George’s Hall from 7pm which costs £18 and will feature tributes to pop idols like Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Beyonce and more.
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Lancaster Pride,
Dalton Square,
Sunday 23 June 2024

Taking over the historic city of Lancaster, this Pride event starts with a parade through the city centre from 11am led by the Batala drumming group, followed by a day of live entertainment, dancing and more in the beautiful Dalton Square for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Following the day of celebrations there will be an official after party event in Generation Nightclub from 6pm.
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A pre-pride event will take place in Lancaster’s Judges’ Lodgings museum on Friday 14^th June from 12-1pm which will discuss the Roman Emperor Hadrian and his relationship with the handsome Antinous by Professor Colin Penny. This lecture costs £5 and includes museum access and refreshments.
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Darwen Pride,
Market Square
Saturday 13^th July 2024

The very first Darwen Pride will take place this year, with live music and performances from signers, tribute artist and drag queens, plus stalls and fun and games for the whole family. This free event will start from 12pm and run throughout the day until 10pm.
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Rossendale Pride in the Park, 
Saturday 20 July 2024

Hosted by The Whitaker Museum, Rossendale’s very first Pride event will bring together family friendly activities, music, crafts and performances in a day-long celebration of equality from 11am til 3pm. The event will take place in Whitaker Park, within the grounds of The Whitaker Museum
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A pre-pride event will also take place at the Museum on Saturday 6^th July. This children’s craft session will allow families to create bunting, decorations and other rainbow crafts for the day or for their home.
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A post-pride Waterfoot Wakes: Rossendale Pride Burlesque Drag Night will be hosted at The Horse and Bamboo on Saturday 20th July from 6:30pm 
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Morecambe Pride,
Morecambe Promenade
Saturday 27 July 2024

Kicking off the summer in style Morecambe Pride will see rainbows adorn the promenade of the seaside resort for a day, including a parade down the prom, live entertainment and more. The event will start at 11am and more info is expected soon.
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Preston Pride,
Flag Market
Saturday 28 September 2024

Preston Pride returns for 2024 on the Flag Market. Everyone is welcome as the city celebrates Preston's LGBTQIA+ communities with live music, guest appearances, and a variety of information stands and stalls. The event opens at 10am and runs through until 4pm.
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In addition to these great Pride events, if you are planning a wedding and looking for inclusive wedding services, The Wellbeing Farm have you covered. The beautiful venue is hosting the “WEDFEST: Pride in Your Wedding” fair on Sunday 30^th June, full of inclusive and diverse wedding suppliers with everything covered from photographers to wedding attire, make up artists to venue dressers. The perfect way to plan your dream day!