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Home : Travel : Pride not Prejudice :

Pride not Prejudice

Check out our big gay round-up of Pride festivals

You don't have to be gay, lesbian, transgender or bisexual to enjoy the summer's many 'Pride' festivals although it may, of course, help. There's plenty to appeal to party people from all walks of life. Take in the buzzing atmosphere and cheer on the colourful parades.

The capital's Pride celebration went off on 5 July, and the following weekend saw the good people of Oxford and Bournemouth donning their glad-rags and hanging out the flags.

If you sadly missed those three huge parties, make sure you get to one of the many other events on this summer across the country.

Nottingham Pride takes place on 26 July at Arboretum Park, and the week-long Belfast Pride celebration kicks off on 26 July. There's lots on throughout the week, culminating in a parade on 2 August where around 4,000 people are set to take to the streets before a mass party in Custom House Square.

Brighton folk are also being treated to a week-long fun-fest. The Pride Summer Festival runs from 26 July until 4 August, with the big party and parade on Saturday 2^nd. Catch a glimpse of the fantastically flamboyant floats, which begin their tour near Palace Pier at 11am then wind their way to Preston Park at around 1pm. Entry to the park is free and the fun runs from noon until 8pm. There'll be music tents, cabaret, trade stalls, a funfair, food stalls, bars and more.

The streets of Leeds will be bursting with colour on 3 August, when heroes and heroines join the annual parade and party. Get to Millennium Square for main stage events before and after the parade, featuring live bands, DJs, performers, singers, and Mr Gay UK finalists.

More than 10,000 people are expected to descend on West Park on
9 August for Hull Pride. And Gloucestershire Pride takes place on the same day at Llanthony Priory, with a parade plus entertainment from Jamie Watson, Steve Maull, Miss Kitty Litter, Bridget and the Big Girls Blues, and more.

Manchester Pride is set to run from 15 to 25 August. The organisers promise "ten sparkling days and nights of sport, film, heritage arts and entertainment, debating and fantastic partying" the finale of which is the 'Big Weekend' from 22 to 25 August. Get set for markets, a parade, a lifestyle exhibition, an HIV candlelit vigil and more.

Swindon and Dumfries are set to host pride events for the first time, on
16 August.

Swindon's event will see the Old Town Gardens transformed with a funfair, inflatable games, stalls, a dance tent, bars and more. Live acts include Amber Dextrous, Miss Trixie, Cherry Poppin, Titus Rowe, James Bedford and Jamie Watson. And 2003 'Pop Idol' winner Michelle McManus will be in Dumfries to get the party started.

Eurovision winner Katrina Leskanich, of Katrina and the Waves, is headlining at this year's Doncaster Pride on 17 August. Supporting artists include The Kylie Experience, Ti Amero and Tobias, plus Icelandic rockers Sign.

Join folk in the South-west for Cornwall Pride, on 23 August, and enjoy a mass picnic, a parade and an evening brimming with events. Then travel to Berkshire for Reading Pride, on 30 August. The parade finishes in King's Meadow where there's live entertainment from The Boy George Experience, Jo Frances, Jason Price and Nicolette Street plus many drag acts, including Amber Dextrous, Fanny Dazzle and Miss Jason.

Pride Glasgow, completes the summer season on 30 August, with an 11am march from Blyswood Square to George Square plus lots more.

The fun spills over into the autumn this year, with Middlesbrough's SuperGay Weekender set to run from 11 to 14 September; and Derby Pride from 26 to 28 September.

Check out our other inspirational ideas for days out and weekend breaks.

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