Liverpool Pride unveils revamped programme ahead of annual celebration
This year’s Liverpool Pride celebrations are being staged across the city as part of a new concept by the LCR Pride Foundation.
The ‘City Full Of Pride’ initiative will encompass a large portion of the city centre with various events taking place on July 29.
The programme is also in solidarity with KyivPride. Liverpool hosted this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in May on behalf of Ukraine, which has been in conflict since February 24 last year when Russia launched its illegal invasion of its neighbour.
Based on 2022 attendee feedback, LCR Pride Foundation said it has focused on elements of pride that the community said they value the most, including pop-up community performances, family-friendly spaces and a diverse series of ‘fringe events’ around the city.
As well as the specially curated zones for the 2023 event, there will also be a host of pop-up entertainment from local community performers taking place at Liverpool One, Royal Albert Dock and St Johns Shopping Centre.
March with Pride at St George’s Hall continues the city’s Eurovision legacy and solidarity with Ukraine. LCR Pride Foundation, Liverpool City Region’s LGBT+ charity is teaming up with KyivPride to march on their behalf.
Starting at St George’s Hall, attendees are asked to arrive from 10.30am before the march begins at 12pm. While free to attend for all individuals, organisations and businesses that wish to take part are asked to make a suggested donation to help LCR Pride Foundation cover the costs of staging the event.
A Food and Drink Zone with Liverpool Live Radio will be taking place at the Pier Head.
As this year’s march concludes at the Pier Head, the Katumba drummers will greet attendees. In place of a main stage, the Pier Head will be transformed into a Food and Drink Zone with food and drink vendors and seating, making a more relaxed, chilled out atmosphere for all visitors. The area will be open from 12 noon until 6pm, although it only has a limited capacity.
As part of Community Zone & Pride House, at Mann Island, Pride House returns following a successful two week tenure during Eurovision.
Located at RIBA North, Pride House is a community safe space with stalls, an exhibition from KyivPride, and cafe space managed by local favourite, Lovelocks, open daily until August 4.
Attendees will also be able to find out more about local LGBT+ organisations and small businesses in the Mann Island atrium between 12 noon and 6pm.
The Health and Wellbeing Zone, situated outside the Museum of Liverpool, is a place offering many of the health services and organisations serving the community as well as wellbeing activity such as Zumba, Yoga and other workshops throughout the day. Stalls and activity will be running from 12 noon to 6pm.
A Liverpool Loves You Garden Party is being held in St Nicholas Church Gardens.
Following a successful event in 2023, Liverpool Loves You is an event to celebrate LGBT+ lives and standing against LGBT+ hate in all corners of society. A laid back garden party space with family friendly activities will conclude with a vigil at 5:30pm, open to anyone who wishes to join.
This zone is suitable for all ages and features child-friendly activities such as LEGO and giant chess to help young people explore their imagination and creativity in a thoughtful and harmonious environment. It also acts as a safe space for LGBT+ people of faith and none to come together to mark Pride in Liverpool.
In addition to all of these events and happenings, there are a number of further pop-up performances, markets and parties across the city centre. Look out for these in Liverpool One, Royal Albert Dock, Metquarter and at St Johns Shopping Centre.
For those who are after more of a party atmosphere, the city’s Pride Quarter will be the place for performances to keep the celebrations going until the night, including street parties hosted by The Masquerade (Cumberland Street), GBar (Eberle Street) and Elysium (Tempest Hey).
A number of fringe events orgganised by local businesses will take place across the city centre in the week running up to, and during Pride in Liverpool. From drag brunches to film and theatre performances, and a Mersey Ferries evening cruise on the Mersey, organisers say Liverpool will truly be transformed into ‘a city full of pride’.
