Bristol Pride Festival is on this weekend. And after a two-year hiatus the parade, which saw 18,000 people take part in 2019, has certainly been missed.
A full bill of celebrations is returning on Saturday. Crowds will gather in Castle Park before making their way through the city centre and onwards to the harbourside, ahead of the festival on the Downs.
This year’s march will be poignant as, not only is it the chance to bring the community back together, but it marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march to take place in the UK. The parade is happening at a time when discussions continue on a full ban on conversation therapy and as the government reviews the Human Rights Act.
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The parade provides the opportunity for all to remember that, while progress has been made, the LGBTQI+ community still has to keep fighting for equal rights for all, and ensure that hard-fought rights are not only maintained but furthered. As well as a protest for equality and inclusion, the march is an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate members of the community.
It is set to be a busy weekend in the city centre and so it's best to plan your transport ahead of time. There are plenty of options, whether you'll be driving or using public transport.
How to get to the festival via public transport
Those travelling from the city centre can board the 1, 2, 3, or 4 First Bus services from College Green (P1) or The Cenotaph in the city centre (C10) throughout the day to get to The Downs. The same services can be taken from outside the Clifton Down Shopping Centre for those who opt to take the train to Clifton Down Station.
A dedicated shuttle bus will operate throughout Pride Day, sponsored by the University of Bristol, between Millennium Square and The Downs. The shuttle will start at 11.30am, and will run through to 7.30pm. Although buses will be available all day, services are expected to be extremely busy and therefore attendees are asked to travel on foot wherever possible.
With more than 30,000 people are expected and attendees are advised to avoid travelling to and from the festival by car wherever possible. Car parks are expected to be extremely busy. NCP has released information about booking a space ahead of time to ensure you'll have somewhere central to park up and get involved in the festivities.
Free bus travel
For £7, Bristol Pride has introduced Pride Day Supporter wristbands. They will allow attendees to donate to the festival - and get access to lots of benefits in the process; including free bus travel.
Purchase of a wristband ensures:
- Money off at the Pride bars
- Free travel on Pride Day with First Bus [Bristol Zone]
- Free travel on the Pride Day shuttle service
- Discounts or freebies with food traders on Pride Day
- Dedicated festival entry gate lane
- Discounted 6 O’clock gin and tonic from Undershed at Watershed the whole of Pride Weekend
- Discounted journeys with Bristol Ferry on Pride Day
Where to park
There are five car parks - Prince Street, Queen Charlotte Street, Rupert Street, Nelson Street, and Broadmead, in the city centre to choose between, all of which are open to pre-booking. To find out more information, visit the NCP website here.
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