This is your ultimate guide to Pride in Liverpool 2019

Are you rainbow ready? Pride in Liverpool invites you to come as you are.

It’s one of the biggest, highly anticipated and inclusive events in Merseyside and this weekend Pride in Liverpool wants you to come as you are and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community. March with Pride and the double stage festival site takes place on Saturday 27th July while Pride Sundae (Sunday 28th July) offers everything from brunch to sport and drag storytime.

“At a time when the LGBT+ community is increasingly misunderstood, marred by misconceptions and targeted with hate, LCR Pride Foundation wants the world to know that the Liverpool City Region is taking a stand.” LCR Pride Foundation.

With two whole days worth of entertainment and with something for everyone, including a brand new Youth Zone, we’ve got your full Guide to Pride in Liverpool so you can start planning your weekend celebrations…

When & Where

Pride in Liverpool takes place on Saturday 27th July 2019.

March With Pride Muster – speeches etc begins at 10:45am at St George’s Hall Plateau

March With Pride beings at 11:45am starting from St George’s Hall Plateau

Tithebarn Street Barclays Stage – DJ sets begin at 1pm followed by live entertainment from 1:30pm

Pall Mall Showcase Stage – DJ sets begin at 1pm with live entertainment from 2pm

Youth Zone – Vernon Street opens at 12pm and runs until 6pm

More: Kick start your Pride in Liverpool weekend at Price X Tate on Friday night

Getting There

The best way to get to Pride in Liverpool is by public transport.

If you’re using the train, Lime Street is your nearest station to get to the March With Pride start at St George’s Hall. Moorfields is your nearest station to get to the festival zone. Plan your train journey and check services from Merseyrail here.

If you’re travelling by bus, keep your eyes peeled for the Arriva Rainbow buses and Arriva Click fleet decked out in rainbow decal and travel to Pride in Liverpool in style. You can book your Arriva Click journey and travel as a group in comfort and style by downloading the app here.

Arriva services will be running to and from the city centre via Queens Square, Dale Street and Liverpool ONE throughout the day. Plan your journey and check services here.

March With Pride

More than 10,000 people took to the streets to March with Pride last year and the numbers are looking more than promising for this Saturdays event. You can still register to join the march event here, but if you’re heading in to spectate, we suggest getting to Lime Street for around 10am to soak up the atmosphere and get a good spot.

The March will kick off at 11:45am following the Muster – a presentation of speeches, prayers, words of remembrance and performances, focussing on the meaning and importance of Pride in Liverpool. Marking the 50th anniversary since the Stonewall Uprising, this years muster will most certainly galvanise the crowd ahead of the city wide march.

Keep your eyes peeled, get your rainbows ready and make some noise for all the amazing people, costumes, performers, dogs, banners, drummers, musicians, dancers and of course, Pride in March freebies (we’re expecting stickers, wristbands and whistles).

The march will travel down Lime Street and along St John’s Lane, before joining Whitechapel. The procession will then go through the city centre via Lord Street before heading passing through Castle Street, Cook Street, Victoria Street, Stanley Street, Dale Street and Exchange Street East, before arriving at the festival site on Tithebarn Street.

The front of the march is expected to arrive at its destination at approximately 1pm. Road closures will be in place and people are advised to check travel advice in advance of travelling.

Entertainment

For the first time, Pride in Liverpool has two stages packed with entertainment to everyone to enjoy.

The Barclays Stage in partnership with Sound City

Hosted by our very own Jay Hynd and Claire Simmo, The Barclays Stage line up includes electropop singer-songwriter and DJ, Little Boots, Finnish-born X-Factor Dance Like Nobody’s Watching singer, Saara Aalto and Damn Good Liar singer, Emily Burns. Queen of the Royal Court and The Guide Liverpool’s Lindzi Germain will also appear on stage.

Liverpool sass punk icons, Queen Zee and singer and songwriter, Adam Lyons will be joined by performances by the first and only UK ambassador of Rupaul’s Drag Race, The Vivienne, dance company KORRUPT and drag queen Minnie Cooper, as well as DJ sets from a host of local LGBT+ venues.

Showcase stage in partnership with LIMF Academy

The new Showcase Stage will be a platform for emerging talent and will be hosted by The Guide Liverpool’s Josh McDowell and Rachel Rhodes.

The crowds are set for a superb afternoon and evening of performances from LIMF Academy alumni plus up-and-coming Manchester singer Jess Kemp, Welsh singer Fyval, Geordie songstress, Channy and homegrown musician, 17-year-old Adam Jay. The stage will also be opened by 18-year-old Josef Hollywood, a radio presenter and DJ from Liverpool.

Youth Zone

Pride in Liverpool will feature a dedicated ‘safe space’ for young people aged under 25 and their families for the very first time in 2019, with the addition of a Youth Zone, delivered in partnership with Young Persons Advisory Service (YPAS), to its festival site.

Situated in the square between Vernon Street and Cunliffe Street, the youth Zone is open from 12pm until 6pm and features an alcohol-free and will offer a free BBQ and refreshments, provided by Bay Tree Catering, throughout the day.

There will also be a funky chill out area with board games and arts and craft activities such as badge-making as well as an acoustic stage where young performers can put their name down to perform. Some equipment will be provided but musicians should bring their own instruments.

Trans activist Charlie Craggs will also be in the Youth Zone with her Nail Transphobia pop-up nail bar, where visitors can get their nails done, while chatting to a trans person. The pop up has been facilitated by the city’s Walker Art Gallery, who will also be in attendance. Free glitter tattoos will also be provided by YPAS and Mermaids, a charity which helps young people who feel at odds with the gender they were assigned at birth, as well as supporting their families.

Community Expo

Exchange Station, Tithebarn Street will play host to a Community Expo. Here you’ll find stands from organisations that provide support to the LGBT+ community. Exhibitors include Armistead, Rainbow Fostering, Sahir House, Open Table and Citizens Advice Liverpool.

Pride Guest Lounge

Pride in Liverpool attendees who prefer to be closer to the action are now also able to buy wristbands for the festival’s new Guest Lounge, positioned right next to the Barclays Stage.

Guest Lounge tickets cost £22 and come with access to an exclusive area close to the stage, a private bar, dedicated toilet facilities and seating with cover, in case the unpredictable British weather takes a rainy turn! Tickets can be purchased via TicketQuarter here.

Pride Sundae

Pride

The fun will continue with Pride Sundae on Sunday 28 July. Events include:

Storytime with Mamma G – taking place at Museum of Liverpool at 11am, 1pm and 3pm this free event combines panto, drag and the traditional art of storytelling, Mama G will be sharing tales that celebrate being who you are and loving who you want. Info here.

Bottomless Sunday Brunch – Ropewalks Bar & Kitchen is serving up 2 whole hours of unlimited gin cocktails, prosecco, bottled beer & soft drinks alongside an array of brunch dishes and a fabulous DJ from 1pm until 3pm on Sunday. Book in here.

Paddle for Pride – From 2pm until 4pm you’re invited to get your flags ready for a paddle for pride! Decorate your boards and beards to raise money, awareness and support for Liverpool’s LGBT+ community. All abilities welcome. Board hire is just £20 with 100% of profits going to LCR Pride Foundation. Info here.

Open Table Service – Open Table and Liverpool Cathedral are joining forces to host a reflective Post-Pride service in the Lady Chapel, from 6pm on Sunday. After a hectic weekend, come along for a quiet time of music and reflection as we honour all the messages of love and thanks, wishes and prayers which people share on ‘prayer flags’ at the Open Table community stall during the festival. More info here.

Stay Connected

Don’t forget to tag all your amazing rainbow technicolour Pride in Liverpool pictures with #withpride #comeasyourare #pridemarch @lcrpride and of course @TheGuideLpool. If you’ve got a Barclays Main Stage shout out for our Jay and Simmo, drop us a DM before hand on Twitter.

Make A Night Of It

Here’s 5 Liverpool bars and clubs to continue your Pride in Liverpool party on Saturday night…

1 – The Navy Bar Pride Weekend

Navy Bar is celebrating Pride in Liverpool all weekend with an amazing line up of DJ’s. Expect the likes of Ant Armstrong, Sean Myers, Andy Mac, Amelia Preston and a live PA from Hayley May performing her summer club hits. More info here.

2 – Yootha Say Pride

It’s all down to 24 Kitchen Street from 9pm on Saturday for Yootha Say Pride: Show Yourself. If you’ve never been to a Sonic Yootha night, buckle up and expect a truly memorable one with all the best tunes and people. Info here.

3 – Neon Pride, Heaven

Heaven Liverpool is planning its best and wildest Pride in Liverpool celebration to date. Neon Circus brings the hottest drag hosts, LGBT+ DJ’s, fire breathers, muscle boys, frozen drinks prices and good times to Saturday night in Liverpool. More here.

4 – Opulanza Extravaganza

Opulanza Extravaganza at OUT! Liverpool’s only Rupaul’s Drag Race themed bar is lining up ‘sickening live performances’ all day from the in-house drag queens, tons of gag-worthy drink offers & not forgetting your chance to win prizes! More info here.

5 – Garlands Gay Pride Street Party

The annual Garlands Street party returns for another huge all dayer. Kicking off from 1pm you can expect the original Garlands DJ’s, the best house music and an unbeatable atmosphere. More info here.

To find out more about LCR Pride Foundation and the remaining 2019 events programme, head to www.lcrpride.co.uk or follow @lcrpride on Twitter for regular updates.