Pride in Liverpool: here’s everything you need to know

Liverpool’s gearing up for its annual Pride festival – and things are looking a little bit different this year.

The LCR Pride Foundation has announced a new concept for Pride in Liverpool with a series of events set to create a ‘City Full of Pride’.

So if you’re getting set to join in the fun and celebrate Pride, here’s everything you need to know…

When is Pride in Liverpool?

Pride in Liverpool will take place next Saturday, July 29.

What has changed this year?

This year’s Pride will encompass more of the city. The Liverpool City Region Pride Foundation says it’s focused on the elements of Pride people said they valued most, including pop-up community performances, family-friendly spaces, and a diverse series of fringe events across Liverpool.

Will there be a Pride march?

Yes, there will be a march starting at 12pm from St George’s Hall. Continuing Eurovision’s legacy and solidarity with Ukraine, LCR Pride Foundation is teaming up with KyivPride to march on their behalf. People are asked to arrive at 10.30am for speeches at around 11.15am and the noon start. While it’s free for individuals to attend, organisations and businesses taking part are asked to make a donation to cover the costs of staging the event. You can register and get more information at www.lcrpride.co.uk/march.

What’s the march route?

The route will go from St George’s Plateau, leading through the streets of Liverpool and culminating at the Pier Head.

What are the different Pride in Liverpool zones – where are they and what can we expect?

There are four main Pride in Liverpool zones:

* Food and Drink Zone with Liverpool Live Radio at the Pier Head

As the march ends at the Pier Head, the Katumba drummers will greet marchers. Instead of a main stage, the Pier Head will be transformed into a food and drink zone with a variety of vendors and seating to create a chilled and relaxed atmosphere. It will be open from 12 noon to 6pm (note it has limited capacity).

* Community Zone & Pride House at Mann Island

‘Pride House’ is back after a successful two weeks for Eurovision. You can find it at RIBA North and it’s a safe space with stalls, an exhibition from KyivPride, and a café area managed by Lovelocks. It will be open daily until Friday, August 4. On Saturday you’ll also be able to find out more about local LGBT+ organisations in the Mann Island atrium between 12 noon and 6pm.

*  Health and Wellbeing Zone at Museum of Liverpool

It will be situated just outside the Museum of Liverpool, and you’ll be able to find health services and organisations as well as activities like Zumba, yoga, and other workshops from 12 noon to 6pm.

* Liverpool Loves You Garden Party at St Nicholas’ Church Gardens

Liverpool Loves You is an event to celebrate LGBT+ lives and standing against LGBT+ hate. A laid-back garden party with family-friendly activities, it will end with a vigil at 5.30pm, open to anyone who wants to join.  Family-friendly activities include LEGO and giant chess; and the Garden Party will also offer a safe space for LGBT+ people of faith and none to come together to mark Pride in Liverpool.

Will there be any other events?

As well as the official events, there will be a number of performances and celebrations across the city centre during the official Pride in Liverpool weekend and the week leading up to it, at Liverpool ONE, Royal Albert Dock, Metquarter, and St Johns Shopping Centre. There will also be street parties and events at loads of city bars and venues. See what Liverpool’s bars are doing HERE.

Mersey Ferries – Funnyboyz Drag Queen Cruise

There’ll be live music, cheesy tunes and the most hilarious drag cabaret on the ultimate drag queen cruise hosted by those Funnyboyz on Friday, July 28. Tickets are £23 each and the cruise will last about 2 ½ hours setting off from Seacombe at 7.30pm, and Liverpool Pier Head at 7.45pm. For group bookings of 20 or more tickets are £20 per person. To book call 0151 330 1420 or email groups@merseyferries.co.uk

For more information on all things Pride in Liverpool, go to www.prideinliverpool.co.uk

What is the LCR Foundation?

The LCR Foundation was set up in 2019 with the aim of making the Liverpool City Region the most LGBT+ friendly region in the UK. The organisation champions the rights of LGBT+ people living in, and visiting, the region, and works to highlight the barriers they face while creating an inclusive culture for everyone to enjoy and take part in through a programme of events, initiatives and campaigns.