5 min readBristol Pride returns for 2026 with a phenomenal and diverse line-up of events across Bristol, from 27 June to 12 July, with the main festival Pride Day taking place on Saturday 11 July on the Downs.
We asked Bristol Pride Trustee, Freddie Daw, to talk us through some of the highlights from this year's mega programme...
What's on for Pride Day?
With multiple stages filled with dance, music, and performance, there is the circus tent full of performers and DJs, the community area with stalls from local groups and service providers, as well as family and youth zones, meaning there will be something for everyone in the community.
The main stage will be headlined by the iconic Sister Sledge, bringing feel-good vibes and their iconic songs, as well as the incredible Jason Donovan in the Afternoon Legend slot. Among the over 100 other acts performing, you can look forward to RuPaul’s Drag Race superstar, Trinity the Tuck, headlining the Cabaret Stage. For full listings, check out the online programme and website.
Image - Pride Day Main Stage
But Bristol Pride doesn’t just happen at the Pride Day Festival, here are 10 highlights from the events that will be happening across the Bristol Pride Fortnight...
1. The Blank Who Blanked Me!
Mon 6 - Wed 8 July – New Improv from the creators of ‘Murder, She Didn’t Write’
Degrees of Error will be debuting their latest show for Bristol Pride at the Wardrobe Theatre in this totally improvised show. Expect torrid romance, high drama, low comedy and for someone’s tongue firmly in someone’s cheek! Running for three nights, this is guaranteed to be hilarious (and different each night!). Book tickets
2. The Birdcage
Saturday 4 July – An iconic film celebrating its anniversary on the Bristol Megascreen
Celebrating its 30th anniversary, The Birdcage returns to cinema screens at the largest screen in the Southwest, the Bristol Megascreen (Former IMAX). This classic farce celebrates the importance of being who you are and loving who you love. Book tickets
3. Pride Gaming Day
Sunday 5 July – Join the Bristol Gaymers to geek out with games and competitions
An afternoon of gaming at Kongs of Kings Street run by the Bristol Gaymers, come and play board games, video games, and social deduction games in an inclusive and welcoming space. Alongside a quiz and raffle, there will also be a Mario Kart Tournament with Bristol Mario Kart Society to test your karting skills! For more games, head to the Improv Theatre on 2 July for their evening of fun.
Image - Pride Gaming Day
4. Hannah Brackenbury: A Life Lez Ordinary
Thursday 2 July – Hilarious comedy and songs celebrating lesbian coming-of-age
Celebrating coming out, crushing hard, and collecting cats, Hannah brings her signature comedy and songwriting skills to The Gaffe for an evening full of sharp parodies, original comedy songs and a few affectionate musical tributes. A hilarious evening that celebrates the clichés and joy of the lesbian experience. Book tickets
5. Queer Vision
The Bristol Pride Film Festival returns with a diverse and exciting line-up
Now in its 15th year, Queer Vision Film Festival brings you a diverse programme of UK & International LGBTQ+ films that showcase the breadth of our community, including trans, non-binary, and queer elders’ voices. The films cover a huge range of genres. Highlights include our short films collection, which brings local filmmakers to the big screen. View programme
6. Pride Dog Show
Saturday 4 July – Putting their best paws forward, celebrating our canine companions
Returning to Castle Park for another year of tail wagging, paw biting rounds, the Bristol Pride Dog Show is an open and friendly event for everyone to bring the furry friends, or to just watch the cuteness. With registration from 11.30am, the show will be from 12.15 with prizes and rosettes for the champion pooches. Find out more
Image - Pride Dog Show
7. Queerlit Southwest
Saturday 4 July – Celebrate LGBTQ+ books with Queerlit’s first convention
Queerlit Southwest’s debut convention at the Paintworks is an LGBTQ+ book and artist bookfest to celebrate queer and allied authors and artists in a safe and diverse environment. Across 2 sessions in the day, you can meet authors and see their incredible work, with a raffle and goody bags. This will be the perfect place to add to your pile of must-reads! Book tickets
8. d.irtcollective Pride Party
Friday 10 July – Celebrate Pride, bringing QPOC (Queer People of Colour) to the forefront
d.irtcollective partners with Bristol Pride to throw a Pride party, featuring a mix of DJs, drag artists, live bands, and so many more talented performers. They’ve made it their mission to platform as many QPOC artists as possible, to shine a light on the incredible talent in our community. This will be a celebratory event that highlights and challenges the disparities QPOC members of our community feel. Book tickets
Image - D.irt Collective
9. Drag Dungeoneers
Thursday 9 July – Roll for initiative and watch these talented drag nerds live play
Running for four years, this band of adventurers improvise their way through a DnD adventure each month at the Bristol Improv Theatre, with silliness, dice rolling, and spell casting. For their Pride session, they are joined by RuPaul star Sally TM as a guest adventurer. Book tickets
For more improv joy in Pride, check out the fabulous Dragprov Revue and Tales from the Wasteland.
10. Join the March
Saturday 11 July – Join Bristol Pride on Pride Day to make our largest march ever through the city centre
The Bristol Pride Parade March remains a vital part of the festival, being the largest and most visible moment of the year to show Bristol, and the world, that we are here, proud, joyful, and united. At this time, there is pushback on our rights, especially for the trans community. By standing together on this march, we can show that no one is alone and that we will continue to exist and fight for our right to freedom and equality. Book tickets
Find out more
- LGBTQIA+ Bristol
- More about Bristol Pride
- Bristol Pride Official Launch Party at Wake The Tiger
- Pride Circus Night
- Queer as F*ck: Pride Afterparty
