Here's your complete guide to York Pride 2016 as whole city #RaisesTheRainbow

York Pride parade

From York Minster to Knavesmire (post party at Thomas’s, Museum Street, and Mansion, Micklegate)

Sat Jun 18 from 11.45am

Free (£5 wristband for after party)

Prepare to see red (and yellow and pink and blue) as the city becomes a riotous rainbow in the run-up to York Pride.

Following the success of last year’s event, the parade and party continues its ‘raise the rainbow’ theme in a bid to make York one of the friendliest places to be LGBT.

York businesses and communities have already begun flying their own rainbow flags, filling shop windows with rainbow displays, making rainbow lolly pops and even wearing rainbow lanyards.

Some have even, ahem, changed their logo in a colourful show of support.

Here’s what’s happening

Friday, June 17

7.30pm Christopher Biggins
Before taking the stage as star host this weekend, Christopher Biggins will be holding his own show the night before the parade. Appearing at the Basement for an evening of personal chat, Biggins will talk about his career, his time in the jungle, celebrity friends and so much more.

Tickets are £15. VIP tickets including a meet and greet with the man himself can be bought directly from York Pride.

10pm Pre-Pride Party
Thomas’s Bar on Museum Street will be hosting York’s LGBT night ‘Proud’ to kick off the weekend this Friday at 10pm.

Drag queen DJ Queenie Buffay will be playing the best mix of cheesy chart and pop songs and disco lighting will fill the venue for that club night feel.

Cost of entry is £2 and York Pride wristbands will be available to buy on the door.

Saturday, June 18

11.45am The Parade

Starting at the Minster at 11.45am, the parade will go down Parliament Street, across High Ousegate and then along Bishopthorpe Road, finishing at the Knavesmire (Tadcaster Road end) around 1pm.

No doubt rainbows will be filling these streets in the form of fancy dress, balloons, a giant rainbow banner and even a member of the public dressed up as the ‘rainbow bear’.

Join the route or watch as it goes past, illuminating the city with the colours of pride.

1pm Afternoon entertainment
Acts will be hitting the stage at the Knavesmire from 1pm onwards, including a performance by X Factor finalist Lloyd Daniels and a tribute to George Michael.

Singer and presenter Jake Quickenden will be performing as will previous X Factor favourite Sean Miley Moore, whose diva performances never disappoint.

York Pride drag race winner Gayle Force will also be on stage and award winning DJ Rory Hoy will be performing a set.

Food and drink
A wide range of food outlets will be in attendance on the day, featuring a barbecue, Cuban fusion street food, a burger bar, curries, kebabs, chips, pulled pork and a hog roast. For the sweet tooths among you, waffles, ice cream and candy floss will also be on sale.

Draft beer, soft drinks and other alcohol will be available at a fully licensed bar along with a selection of luxury hot drinks.

10.30pm After Party
The official York Pride after party is held at Mansion nightclub on Micklegate.

Before hitting Mansion’s dancefloor for a night of chart, guilty pleasure and club music, pop round to the evening after party at Thomas’s bar to get those early drinks.

Drag Queen DJ and performer Cherry Pops will be starting the party at Thomas’s from 8-10pm before moving on to Mansion to finish the celebrations.

Who’s raising the rainbow

Here’s a selection of the rainbows already flying proudly around the city this week.

North Yorkshire Police

Please join us in helping to support @YorkPride on Twitter: https://t.co/oiUY76j0ox #RaiseYourRainbow this weekend! pic.twitter.com/GXum5wAdlJ

— NorthYorkshirePolice (@NYorksPolice) 13 June 2016