4 min readBristol Pride is back for 2024, celebrating its 15th anniversary with a spectacular and diverse lineup of events across the city between the 29 June and the 13 July.
The main festival day returns on Saturday 13 July on The Downs, with four stages, circus tent, family and youth zones.
The legendary Human League will headline the festival, as well as a full day of incredible acts including electronica duo, Ladytron, Claire Richards from STEPS, and indie-pop sensation Georgia. Drag Race legends Heidi N Closet and Pixie Polite will headline the Cabaret Stage alongside a host of drag artists. For full listings check out the Festival Programme.
However, Bristol Pride is more than just the day itself, Freddie Daw, Pride Trustee, is here to give you his top ten picks for the next two weeks:
1. Our largest ever line up of queer cinema with Queer Vision
Now in its 12th year, Queer Vision, the Bristol Pride film festival, has its largest ever programme for 2024. Showcasing the range and depth of our community on screen, with curated shorts and new features, as well as revisiting classics from the past. The film festival launches on the 28 June with a party at the Watershed.
2. Celebrate the Pioneers of Pride Kiki Ball with the Bristol Ballroom Community
Iconic Ballroom Culture takes over St George’s Bristol on Saturday 29 June, inviting the gays, girls, and theys of the present day to pay homage to the trailblazers who went before us. Expect spectacular looks and incredible moves at this special Ball put on with the Bristol Ballroom Community.
3. A week of gender swapped improv detectives with Murder, He Didn’t Write
A favourite of the Bristol Pride calendar, Degrees of Error will be putting on 5 nights of improvised murder mystery 'Murder, He Didn't Write' at the Wardrobe Theatre from 1-5 July, while all in drag! Promising to dazzle, enthral and delight who knows who and where the crime will happen, but laughs are guaranteed.
4. Gasp at high flying acts at the Pride Circus Night
Returning to Circomedia on 4 July, the Bristol Pride Circus Night is jammed full of the best queer circus around. Hosted by Alexa Gibbens, the evening will showcase pole, trapeze, aerialists and more to keep you on the edge of your seat.
5. Feel the rhythm and dance, with the first ever Pride Ceilidh
Another new event for 2024, the Bristol Pride Ceilidh is welcoming everyone, whether you’ve been dancing your whole life or have never been before. The band will get everyone twirling and connecting at this joyful event on the 5 July at Old Market Assembly.
6. A landmark celebration of a camp classic with Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
An icon in cinema history, The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert premiered 30 years ago and we’re putting on a special event to celebrate. Showing on the 6 July at Bristol Megascreen, the largest screen in the city, with performances by Bristol Show Choir, and even a trip on the Bristol Pride Bus with our own drag host to arrive in style!
7. See award-winning, heart-moving theatre with Wreckage
Bringing new and exciting theatre to Bristol is a key part of the Pride Festival, Wreckage is moving piece focusing on queer love, grief and the enduring bonds of a relationship. Deeply moving and beautifully acted, Wreckage won the Lustrum Award at Edinburgh Fringe 2022 and will be on for 2 nights at the Wardrobe Theatre, 9+10 July.
8. Get active with a range of sports taster sessions
Bristol has many fantastic inclusive sports groups, as part of Bristol Pride many of them are offering taster sessions for potential new members to come along and find out more. Rugby, Football, Netball, Badminton, Swimming, and Running are all on the table, so there is sure to be something to help you find your athletic side.
9. Be loud, proud and visible on the Parade March
Pride Day on the 13 July kicks off with the Parade March through the centre of Bristol, leaving Castle Park at 10.45am. The March shows everybody how visible and present the LGBT+ community are, bringing us together to show we are not alone and that our rights and identities are not something that can be ignored.
10. Check out the full range of activities on Pride Day
Of course, we are all excited for the headliners on Bristol Pride Day, with The Human League closing the main stage. But Pride Day has so many activities for everyone. The Community Tent has many fantastic organisations that support LGBT+ year-round. As well as Main Stage and the Cabaret stage check out the circus tent, dance stage and the uplift stage showcasing the best of the Queer Bristol Scene. Find Bristol Pride merch at the Queer Emporium stall and check out the plethora of food and traders in the festival site. However you spend Pride, be proud and be yourself.
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