The streets of Swansea will be a lot more colourful next month as Pride celebrations hit the city. With a fun-filled pride march, festival and mini pride, there's plenty to do for all ages and the event is free to attend with no tickets needed.
The event takes place ahead of the Pride Cymru event, that's happening in Cardiff this summer. 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. You can read more about that here.
But back to Swansea Pride, which is set to bring celebrations to the city over two days in April. Here's everything you need to know, including dates, location and line up.
When is the Swansea Pride march and parade?
The march will take place through the City Centre on Saturday, April 29. Starting at 11am on Wind Street before making its way through the city centre via St Helen's Road, those wishing to join the parade are asked to get there at 10:30am ready for a prompt start. If you're coming with a group that's bigger than 10 people, you need to register on the website.
When is the Swansea Pride festival and who's in the line up?
The festival is now being held at the at the rotunda outside the Main Entrance of the Guildhall due to issues with the original location of the National Waterfront Museum Green following heavy rainfall. But the show must go on and the festival will be hosted by Swansea drag community including Ruby Slippers, Diana D, and Gypsy Divine on Saturday, April 29. Over at the Brangwyn Hall there will be a Community Zone full of information stalls, community groups and organisations.
The Swansea Pride Stage will be hosted by:
- Ruby Slippers
- Diana D
- Lambrini Rampage
- Dr Bev
- CC Swan
- Kara von Site
- Lucy Lou
- Gypsy Devine
Performances from:
- True Colours
- Lucia
- Russell Jones
- Amrick Channa
- Cath Elms
- Jason Cervis
- Andrea Lewis
- Greta Tude
- Minus de Kock
- Martha Tydfil
- Bjorn to Rock
- Keith Marshall
- Kyle Finn
When is the 'mini' Pride?
There will be a mini pride on Sunday, April 30 with a fun, family-friendly programme to celebrate being happy, proud and whoever you want to be. There will be story time, crafts, face painting and a mini parade at the National Waterfront Museum.
If you or someone you know is organising an event for Swansea Pride get in touch at katie.hoggan@walesonline.co.uk for it to be added to this list.
Read more:
- Pride Cymru 2023: Date, location, parade details, headliners and how to get tickets
- Norena Shopland: The woman who has dedicated her life to uncovering Wales' LGBTQ+ history
- 'It should never have taken me until university to feel at least mostly accepted by society'
- The sister act from a successful family hospitality business who have opened a new coffee shop and bar in Swansea
- 'We don't need volunteers to help us on stage': The Welsh theatre company challenging misconceptions about disability
