Full programme for Bristol Pride Festival announced
The annual event returns to the city for two weeks later this month
Last updated 16th Jun 2022
The full programme of events for this year’s Bristol Pride Festival has been released.
The annual event returns to the city from Saturday 25 June to Monday 11 July, after two years of online and hybrid events.
Over 50 events will take place in the biggest ever programme, which will see new events joining firm festival favourites.
Pride Day will take place on Saturday 9 July and sees the festival return to The Downs, with over 100 acts will be performing across five stages.
This includes a headline set from global icon Carly Rae Jepsen, Canada’s Drag Race winner Priyanka, Alexandra Burke, Katrina of The Waves and Scissor Sisters Ana Matronic headlining the official afterparty at the Bristol O2 Academy.
Pride Day will once again be donation entry so that those who might need Pride the most can still attend if they cannot afford it.
However, organisers for the charity are urging everyone who is able to, to purchase a Pride Supporter Wristband which are just £7, or £18 for multi afterparty access. All of the money raised will go towards helping to keep Pride happening and keep it an open event for all.
Poignantly, the Bristol Pride Parade March will also make a return this year, as organisers mark the 50th Anniversary of the first ever Pride marches to take place in the UK.
Taking place on the morning of Pride Day ahead of the festival on The Downs and meeting at 10.00am at Castle Park, the march is free for members of the public to attend.
Speaking about this year’s event, Eve Russell, Festival Director, Bristol Pride said: "We are completely thrilled to bring everyone back together this year, we have so much planned and it’s going to be such a special and moving year.
"I’m particularly looking forward to seeing everyone marching together loudly and proudly.
"Pride Day will be an amazing celebration with incredible artists and we are incredibly proud to have Carly Rae Jepsen performing on the Main Stage but we also have a brand new stage curated with House of Savlon in our “Get Qweird” Stage.
"We also have Bassline Circus returning who have programmed a beautifully diverse lineup for our Circus Tent and our Cabaret Stage again brings the very best of local, national and international Drag artists to Bristol including the incredible Priyanka and Mary Mac fresh from the UK tour of musical: Everybody’s Talking about Jamie."
Highlights to look out for across Pride Week include the star studded Pride Comedy Night hosted by Bristol’s own Jayde Adams with Rosie Jones, Morgan Rhys, Kemeh Bob and Daniel Foxx.
The Pride Dog Show makes it’s return to Castle Park on Saturday 2 July and this year Pride have programmed three incredible theatre shows including the ever popular drag version of improv comedy Murder, He Didn’t Write and a special performance of Grandma’s Closet (and what I found there!) which tells the story of a young Welsh boy who’s nan was a personal cheerleader to guide them through his childhood.
Other things to look out for include a special Drag and Disco Book Launch with Sink The Pink at BookHaus, poetry and art nights, up close experiences in partnership with Yuup, and the return of the Queer Vision Film Festival with over 17 feature and short film screenings, including a special outdoor screening of Grease 2 at The Trinity Centre with performances from Tom Marshman and a special event to mark the release of George Michael Uncut at The Watershed on his birthday with special DJ set post screening.
For more information on this year’s festival, wristbands, all the details of the stages, timings and to read this year’s full Festival Guide head over to the Bristol Pride website.