Pride Cymru is back for 2023 and this year there is a change in location. The event has moved from outside the national museum and City Hall and will now take place at Cardiff Castle during Pride Month. Big names and local talent will hit Cardiff a little earlier than usual to celebrate this June and there's a festival, parade and market to look forward to.
From the first gay march through the city in 1985 to the first gay Mardi Gras in Cardiff in 1999 which saw 2,000 attendees, what later became the annual Pride Cymru festival has gone from strength to strength over the years and Pride Cymru 2023 should be no exception. Although this year's line-up is yet to be announced, tickets for the festival are on sale now and you can also book to join the parade. Find out how to get involved with our guide on what to expect at the event taking place on Saturday, June, 17 and Sunday, June 18.
How do I join the parade?
The parade has grown massively since LGBTQ+ supporters first marched through Cardiff in 1985. You can join "Cardiff's most colourful event" by applying now on the Pride Cymru website. Grassroots organisations and individual walkers can walk for free in the parade if they apply here, but a £2 donation is suggested if the person is able to. Prices for charities and other organisations vary depending on type of group and size and range from £50-£1000.
Read more: Norena Shopland: The woman who has dedicated her life to uncovering Wales' LGBTQ+ history
How do I get tickets?
You can get your tickets now on the Pride Cymru website to enjoy a jam-packed festival over three stages on Saturday, June, 17 and Sunday, June 18. First release tickets are out now and all tickets will increase in price with the next release. First release standard entry tickets (ages 15+) cost £11.20 for each day. Children's standard entry costs £5.60 for each day (ages 5-14) and under 5s can go free without a ticket but all under 16s must be accompanied by an adult aged 18 or over.
For those wanting the VIP treatment, adults can treat themselves to a "dedicated premium main stage viewing area, VIP toilets, a dedicated bar and a complimentary drink as well as priority access to the Castle by purchasing a VIP ticket for £44.80.
Who is headlining the event?
Pop princess Sophie Ellis-Bextor will take to the main stage on Saturday, June 17 and Steps' Claire Richards will be performing ballads and party-starting hits on Sunday, June 18. Other artists hitting the main stage on Saturday include Jodie Harsh, House Gospel Choir, Youngr and July Jones. On Sunday, The Feeling, Marisha Wallace and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK stars, Ginny Lemon and Black Peppa will also take to the stage.
On this year's Pride event, Chair of Pride Cymru, Gian Molinu said:
“We’re back with a brand new venue, a brand new date and brand new ideas to make this Pride season the best ever. I am so excited to see the Castle transformed for the weekend.
“We have a new partnership with S4C for our community stage and we are pledging to put on the most diverse programme possible to make sure everyone feels represented. Our new headline main stage sponsor is the iconic Welsh brand known to people right across the country, the Principality Building Society.
“Our volunteer team is hard at work planning an ambitious two day programme with our parade and full event weekend of entertainment set to take over Cardiff’s most visible landmark, Cardiff Castle. So many people don’t realise that Pride is a volunteer led organisation with members of the community right across Wales working on putting together Wales’ biggest celebration of love, tolerance and inclusion.
“We know people are struggling with the ever increasing cost of living. We’re pleased to have been able to freeze ticket prices this year."
Read more:
- Paul O'Grady's brilliant dig at police as they raided gay club in '80s while he was on stage as Lily Savage
'It should never have taken me until university to feel at least mostly accepted by society'
- 'You can just talk and not be ridiculed': The LGBTQ+ people and allies finding togetherness in Swansea
- Owain Wyn Evans makes emotional return to former school to deliver important message
