Birmingham Pride 2026: All you need to know

One of the UK's biggest celebrations of LGBTQ+ culture returns to Birmingham this weekend, with tens of thousands of people expected to descend on the city's Gay Village.

Birmingham Pride takes place this Bank Holiday weekend with two days of entertainment across Saturday and Sunday.

With more than 75,000 spectators expected to line the parade route and attend a ticketed festival over the weekend, it is one of the biggest Pride celebrations outside of London.

This year's event marks a homecoming for the festival as it returns to the Gay Village after its former home at the Smithfield site was to redeveloped.

Organisers said their aim was to "play a leading role in building a community where all people are free to live without fear or prejudice".

The event has previously attracted more than 40,000 people to the music festival site over the course of the weekend, with thousands of others taking part in or watching the annual parade through the streets of the city.

The event is not-for-profit and since 2014, organisers said they have awarded more than £250,000 to local community and support groups, helping fund LGBTQ+ services across the city.

Katy B and Sigala headline the main stage on Saturday, with support from drag star Danny Beard, Lynks, Booty Luv and Sweet Female Attitude among others.

The Conrad Guest Cabaret Stage on Saturday features drag and cabaret talent including Victoria Scone from RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Sunday's main stage will be headlined by Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle alongside Abba tribute act Björn Again, with Boney M ft Mazie Williams, Amelle, Kelly Llorenna and Black Peppa also performing.

Across both days, the Dance Arena features sets from Jaguar and Arthi on Saturday, with Big Ang, Wïles and Forbid taking over on Sunday.

All of the acts can be seen on the full line-up on Birmingham Pride's website.

Organisers say that everyone is welcome at Birmingham Pride, and that while the event celebrates the LGBTQ+ community, attendees are not required to be part of it.

They say that anyone displaying homophobic, transphobic or anti-social behaviour will be removed from the festival site.

A ticket or wristband will be required to enter the festival site.

Children aged 11 and under can attend for free but must book in advance.

The parade is free to watch and open to all.

The main festival will be taking place on Saturday and Sunday.

The Pride Parade will set off from Victoria Square at 12:00 on Saturday.

For those who bought tickets in advance, organisers said they must be exchanged for wristbands on Friday at the Nightingale Club, between 10:00 and 21:00.

They must be worn at all times, they added, and wristband exchange points will be signposted in the Gay Village

The festival is taking place in Birmingham's Southside district with the main events at the city's Gay Village on Hurst Street, marking a return to its original home after several years at the Smithfield site.

The parade begins at Victoria Square and travels through the city centre, finishing at Hippodrome Square.

Stages include the Main Stage, Dance Arena, Conrad Guest Cabaret Stage and Community Stage.

Birmingham New Street station is the closest railway station to the event, though travellers should be aware that industrial action on West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway on Friday and Saturday means a reduced timetable will be in operation, with no services starting before 07:00 on Saturday and no services after 19:00 on Friday.

Tram services on the West Midlands Metro will also be disrupted on Saturday, with no services running between Corporation Street and Edgbaston Village between 09:00 and 15:00.

Dozens of bus routes will be on diversion and some stops will be temporarily closed.

Drivers are advised to leave their car at home if possible, as city centre car parks are expected to reach full capacity. Park and ride facilities are available.

Full travel information can be found at Transport for West Midlands.

There will be phased road closures through Birmingham city centre while the parade takes place on Saturday.

The affected roads include Pinfold Street, Stephenson Street, Corporation Street to New Street, Carrs Lane, Moor Street, Moor Street Queensway, Smallbrook Queensway from St Martin's Tunnel to Hill Street and Hurst Street.

Additionally, Pershore Street between Sherlock Street and Upper Dean Street will be closed from 06:00 on Saturday until 06:00 on Monday.

Drivers are advised to avoid Digbeth and Holloway Circus, which are expected to be heavily congested.

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