Nottingham Pride is now just a week away as the celebrations are set to take place on Saturday, July 30th. This year will mark the first return of the event due to Covid restrictions.
The event is making a welcome return to Broad Street with a full entertainment line-up after the march and stalls. However, there are a number of smaller events happening across the city so visitors can carry the celebrations on after the official event.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Pride in the UK and there are celebrations across most major cities to reflect this. Nottingham Pride will focus on the theme: 'We see you' for 2022.
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Pride march
The parade which is one of the highlights of the day will once again take place with people allowed to start gathering from 10am for the official start at 11am. The parade will lead with the rainbow flag starting at Lister Gate and ending on Broad Street at 12pm.
This year’s event has the theme ‘We See You’, and aims to support and celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community. The event is free to attend and will be led by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service’s fire engine with performances from Nottingham's Samba. Collective along with Can Samba.
Read more: The official route for Nottingham Pride 2022 announced
Pride stage and stalls
The Pride stage will return to Heathcote Street with an eclectic line-up of Nottingham singers, dancers, speakers, performers and DJs. Acts performing on the day include singer and dancer Jamie Fuxx; singer-songwriter Rob Green; singer-songwriter Tom Aspaul; singer Bexx; Britney Spears tribute act Michaela Weeks and David Bowie tribute band Miss Bowie and the New Killer Stars.
There will be a DJ set from Charity Shop Sue, comedy from drag performers The Scream Queens, a performance from poet, Ravelle -Sadé Fairman, a talk from the Labour MP, Nadia Whittome, and speeches from local LGBTQ+ activists.
Pole dance performers from Twisted Pole will be happening on Broad Street, along with over 40 different stalls on Goosegate in Hockley. The stalls and pride stage event are free to attend.
Gladrags Drag Events
Gladrags drag performers will be providing a day and evening event. Their day event will host some of Nottingham's best bands and singers including Babytap and Arch femmesis at Rough Trade from 12pm until 6pm.
Their Pride after event will be hosted by Marilyn Sane and Nana Arthole and provide all the LGBT+ anthems from DJ Boz and Baby Tap at Popworld on Cheapside. Performers Lill Queen, Lady Bushra, Terri Box and Liv will take to the stage throughout the evening from 8:30 pm until 3 am.
DirtyFilthySexy Alternative Afterparty
DirtyFilthySexy will be holding their annual alternative afterparty bringing acts like Drag Race series 2 star Joe Black, Frog Boi and Saint Sinister to the stage at Nottingham Contemporary. The event will start at 9pm but be prepared for it to go late as it finishes at 3am.
Pride Playground in Sneinton
Where it's Warm is hosting a pride playground in Sneinton market which is free to attend. The evening event promises a chilled-out lineup of music from RnB, Hip Hop, Soulful House, Amapiano, AfroBeats, Dancehall, Garage, Funky and Drum & Bass.
As well as music, there will be DJs, games, street food stalls and face painting with more to be announced. The event starts at 6pm and will continue until 10pm.
Glitterskull CIC will showcase an extravaganza of local queer talent with DJs, dance performances, art, live music and drag alongside the creative market. MP Nadia Whittome will also give a speech about nightlife safety for marginalised communities. Expect performances from The G.O.A Choir, Franx, Yay Maria and many more.
The G.O.A.T
The G.O.A.T bar is one of the latest additions to Broad Street. The LGBT+ inclusive bar has just opened and is perfectly positioned to welcome Pride fans in for a celebration.
Additionally, they will host a pop-up bar alongside the stage on Heathcoat street so you don't need to travel too far from the music to nab a pint. The bar will also serveStonewall Pink Rhubarb and Raspberry Gin where £1 of every sale goes to the Stonewall charity and is the perfect excuse for a cheeky G&T.
Lord Roberts
The Lord Roberts pub on Broad Street will be hosting a pop-up bar from 12 until 1 pm and will have DJs in the garden. The bar has also just painted the back wall of the pub with a huge rainbow flag which is just asking for a selfie or two.
The New Forresters
Nottingham's oldest LGBT+ bar, The New Forresters will be hosting a huge Pride Party with six DJs, drag queen performances and food on the day. Not to mention the bar will have a huge marquee and two dancefloors so pride goers can strut their stuff.
The festivities will start at 12pm before going late into the early hours so be prepared and grab a red bull or two. It's £2 entry with all proceeds going to the Spencer Trust and Notts LGBT+ Network.
Nottingham Castle
Nottingham Castle will be holding an event filled with drag and films to celebrate pride across Saturday, July 30th and 31st. British drag Race star Tia Kofi will take to the stage in a weekend-long event that will run alongside the official Pride celebrations.
An outdoor showing of British comedy-drama Pride will take place on Saturday and Tia Kofi will perform on Sunday night. The celebrations will also feature local drag superstars Kenya Knott, Marilyn Sane and Nana Arthole.
YMCA Pride Family Fun at Malt Cross
Malt Cross and YMCA Nottingham will be hosting an event at the bar on X street from 1:30 pm until 5:30pm. The event hopes to bring together LGBT+ families and allies while providing entertainment for younger Pride attendees such as inclusive storytelling and creative activities.
There will also be free refreshments available. The kitchen will also be preparing a special children's menu if visitors are staying for lunch on the day.
The Hole in the wall pre-Pride quiz
The Hole in the Wall on Sherwood Street is a bit of a hidden gem after it reopened with a brand new look earlier this year. The team at the bar will be hosting a pre-pride quiz night for anyone looking to get the party started early on Friday night ahead of the celebrations.
The event is to raise vital funds for Notts LGBT+ Network to support the work they do for the community.. It costs just £1 to enter and you could win prizes even if you aren't the winner.
Post-Pride Picnic at Arboretum
There is a picnic taking place in the Arboretum post-pride starting at 11 am on Saturday, July 30. Anyone looking to attend can bring a lunch, a chair or a rug to sit on and join other LGBT+ community members to relax after a busy parade.
The event will also be child and pet-friendly while set in the beautiful surroundings of the Arboretum. It's free to attend and visitors are encouraged to meet by the top entrance by Sainsbury's near the bandstand. The picnic usually finishes at 3 pm.
Liquid Light Pride & Music & Love party
Liquid Light is starting the party early with a special celebration of LGBT+ musical icons from the 1960s onwards to celebrate the community's impact on culture and music. The party starts on Friday, July 29 and will carry on until Saturday, July 30 in their Sneinton-based tap house.
Not only that but they are collecting for Notts LGBT+ Network too so visitors can support the community while enjoying a nice cool pint in the sun. Mocky D will also be on-site to keep the crowds fed with their excellent vegan grub.
Drag Bingo pre-Pride special
If you haven't been to drag bingo in Rough Trade then there is no better time than Pride to pop in. Drag queens Nana Arthole and Marilyn Sane host this monthly event and it's worth going to watch their banter alone.
The pre-pride special will take place on Thursday, July 28 at Rough Trade from 8pm. The hosts will be joined by Dj Boz and DJ Babytap who will be playing all the Pride classics to get you in the mood to march.
Hidden rooftop Pride Special
There are three events taking place at the Long Row location. House Legions take over the rooftop bar from 12pm until 11pm with free entry. Expect plenty of cocktails, drinks and food.
On the third floor, Hidden Garmz will have a vintage clothing fair with over ten local traders taking part from 11am until 7pm. The ground floor will have Juicy X Cheeky tracks until 4am with tickets on sale now.
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