Start your engines – as it’s a double event for York Pride Drag Race this year!
The popular local drag event is back, with twice as much talent for 2025.
The finalists for York Pride Drag Race 2025 have been selected and will compete over two nights on Friday 14 and Friday 28 March, with the winner being crowned this year on the main stage at York Pride on Saturday 7 June 2025.
Both events will be held at the Basement at City Screen hosted by popular queen ‘Janice’.
They will be joined by a panel of judges, including Visit York’s managing director Sarah Loftus, York’s Town Crier Ben Fry, 2023 winner Reese Wetherspoon, York RI Templars captain Andrew Malcolm Neale, and YorkMix’s Laura Castle, who will score the kings and queens on their performance.
On being a judge, Sarah Loftus said, “I am honoured to be asked to return as a judge again at York Pride.
“Last year was a real highlight in my calendar, the finalists were all fun and engaging and I am sure this year will be just as entertaining.”
The 10 finalists will perform two numbers for the judges, before receiving a score from them and the audience.
The winner from each event will then compete on the main stage at York Pride where for the first time the attendees will get the chance to vote for their favourite. The winner of each heat will also win £100 and the overall winner a further £150.
Last year saw Miss Diagnosis crowned the winner – who snatched the crown and performed at York Pride 2024 as part of the prize.
Events and outreach director for York Pride, Stuart Jarman, said, “We had an overwhelming amount of interest this year and the talent was very high from applicants which made shortlisting the final 10 acts very difficult!
“This event is always fun and it’s great to see what is locally on offer in the drag scene.”
The finalists for the first event are Eris Envy, Ferne Ando, Georgia Diamond, It’s Me Dom Queen and Luna Hex. The second event will see Ariel 51, Dick Fran Dyke, Kit Frost, Robynne Ryske and Sian de Paul battle for the crown.
Tickets are £10 per night (£15 on the door), or £17 for both events. For more information and to book your tickets, visit the York Pride website.