Get ready for a rainbow-filled celebration of love and equality – as York Pride returns this weekend.
York Pride will take place on the Knavesmire on Saturday 3 June.
The celebratory day will be filled with marching, music, live entertainment, family fun, food and drink, dancing, and much more.
YorkMix have put together a guide to everything you need to know for the day – including what’s happening and how to join in.
What’s happening
12pm The parade
The parade through the city is a staple of York Pride, and is a colourful celebration of the LGBTQ+ community as well as a march for equality.
The parade will assemble outside York Minster from 11:30am, and the march to the Knavesmire will begin at 12pm.
From the Minster, it will then go down Parliament Street, across High Ousegate and along Bishopthorpe Road before finishing at the Knavesmire (Tadcaster Road End) between 1-1:30pm.
Whether you’re joining in with the parade or simply watching it pass by, it is always a spectacular sight to see – with fancy dress, community spirit, and of course the giant rainbow banner.
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1:30pm Live entertainment
There will be live music and entertainment from 1:30pm, including performances on the main stage from Steps star Claire Richards and Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt.
RuPaul’s Drag Race stars Kitty Scott-Claus and Veronica Green will also be performing, along with Union J‘s Jaymi Hensley.
This year history is being made, as York Pride have teamed up with QueerArts UK to bring a first-of-its-kind stage to the festival – which will champion local and homegrown LGBTQ+ talent. The stage will be headlined by York singer and songwriter Beth McCarthy.
There will also be food stalls and bar for refreshments, as well as a funfair, dance tent, marketplace, and more.
Cocktails from the bar include a ‘Woah Black Berry’ with raspberry gin and blackberry liqueur, and a ‘Long Pornstar’ which is the all time favourite – but long!
7pm Afterparty
The fun will continue at the official York Pride afterparty at Ziggy’s Bar & Nightclub on Micklegate.
The doors will open from 7pm for drinks in the bar and lounge areas, with the dance floor opening at 10pm and hosted by drag queen Elsie Duchess.
Closing Event
The official York Pride closing event ‘Cruising down the Ouse’, in partnership with City Cruises York, will take place on Sunday 4 June at 6pm.
The event will be a three hour cruise down the river Ouse, and will include a two course hot buffet, bar, and DJ.
Tickets are £45 each and are available here.
How to get there
The simplest – and funnest – way to get to York Pride is walking with the parade.
There are no parking facilities at the Knavesmire site, and there is limited parking for those with a blue badge. The nearest car parks are Nunnery Lane Car Park, Bishopthorpe Road Car Park and Rowntree Park Car Park.
Once again, First York will have their Pride Day bus ticket for £3.50 with unlimited travel across York on Saturday 3 June. The special ticket will be available on the First Bus app.
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How much is it
York Pride is a free event! There is no entry fee, but donations are welcomed.
You can get your York Pride 2023 wristband for £5, which can get you great discounts on a variety of York retailers and attractions – see the full list here. The wristband will also get you free entry into the official afterparty at Ziggy’s before 10pm.
Online orders for wristbands are now closed, but wristbands can still be purchased in person at the Visit York Information Centre and the LNER Travel Centre.
At the event there will be food, drink and shopping stalls with refreshments and goodies available to buy. Cash and card will be accepted on the day – but cash is recommended due to limited internet at the site.
The nearest cash machine is the Sainsbury’s Local on Blossom Street.
For more information about the event, visit the York Pride website.