PRIDE GUIDE: What to expect at Birmingham Pride 2018

The UK’s biggest two-day pride festival returns to Birmingham on Saturday 26& Sunday 27May, bringing with it a celebration of the city’s LGBTQ+ community.

The Bank Holiday weekend celebration will see tens of thousands of people descend on the city’s Gay Village for the May Bank Holiday weekend.

The Pride Parade passing by the Bullring at the start of last year's Birmingham Pride event — The Pride Parade passing by the Bullring at the start of last year’s Birmingham Pride event

The rainbow extravaganza will launch with the traditional Pride Parade, beginning from Victoria Square at 10am, which will dance its way through the city centre to the Southside area where the main event will take place.

In celebration of Pride bringing together a wide range of communities, this year’s fitting theme is ‘Be You’.

The Main Stage at Birmingham Pride last year

The festival features the most diverse Main Stage artists to date, as well as the launch of the new Future Stage. Festival goers are spoilt for choice with the additional Dance Arena, Cabaret Marquee, Women’s Area, staple funfair attractions; alongside the brand new Street Food Court and Beer Garden.

The biggest question on everybody’s minds is ‘What’s on offer this Pride?’. Check out our guide below to see who’s performing and where…

Nadine Coyle will be performing at Birmingham Pride 2018

Birmingham Pride 2018 | Saturday 26^th May

HSBC Main Stage:

Guest host: The A-List and Celebrity Big Brother’s Austin Armacost!

12pm to 3pm – Samba Band, DJ set

3pm to 6pm – Kelli-Leigh, MNEK, Nadine Coyle, Louisa Johnson

6pm to 9pm – Beth Ditto, Louise Redknapp, Kim Petras, Stefflon Don

9pm to midnight – Jax Jones, Local DJs

MNEK will appear on the main stage at Birmingham Pride 2018

Dance Arena:

Noon to 3pm – Lisa Sharred and Yan, Davey Boy, WSF

3pm to 6pm – Clinton and Antix, Joe Hunt, Felton & Kaisha

6pm to 9pm – The Acid Experiment, Low Steppa, Tom Shorterz

9pm to midnight – Redlight, Flava D

Birmingham-born Stefflon Don is making her mark internationally following her top ten hit 'Hurtin' Me' — Birmingham-born international star Stefflon Don will be performing at Birmingham Pride 2018

The Manchester Airport Cabaret Marquee:

Hosted by Sandra and Miss Marty

Noon to 3pm – DJ Miss Penny, Sandra, Miss Jason, Lorraine Bowen

3pm to 6pm – Ginny Lemon, Shania Pain, Kelly Wilde, Miss Penny, Lola Lasagne

6pm to 9pm – Baga Chipz, Tanya Hyde, Sum Ting Wong

9pm to midnight – Dave Lynn, Twiggy, Miss Thunderpussy, The Dame Edna Experience

Much-loved cabaret artist Twiggy returns for Birmingham Pride 2018

Women’s Area:

12pm to 3pm – DJ Daddy and Nora

3pm to 6pm – Lauren Hoyle, Saski, Amy La Queefa, DJ Roq Biatch & Junior

6pm to 10pm – Adam All, Faye Bagley, DJ Bee

9pm to midnight – DJ Dell & Laurel, DJ Lisa Sharred

Courtney Act will be appearing at Birmingham Pride 2018

Barclays Future Stage (at the Nightingale):

1pm to 3pm – KillGlass, I’m Not Okay, Unpronounceable, Jaydon Clover & Jamaal Monarch

3pm to 6pm – Allie X, Kartel Brown

6pm to 10pm – Ms Banks, Big Freedia, Dupes Den, HCL

Be sure to check out special guests Katrina of the Waves, Mary Mac, Jake Quickenden, Danny Beard, Brenda LaBeau and Fanny Burns over the Saturday at Eden Bar!

Rudimental will be at Birmingham Pride 2018

Birmingham Pride 2018 | Sunday 28^thMay

HSBC Main Stage:

Guest host: Apprentice and Celebrity Big Brother star Andrew Brady!

2pm to 3pm – We Love Pop, Glittershit

3pm to 6pm – Baby D, Diva Explosion featuring Kym Mazelle, Rachel McFarlane and Rozalla, Livin Joy, Courtney Act

6pm to 9pm – Howard Jones, Jake Shears, Rudimental

10pm to midnight – DJ Paul Morrell

Jake Shears will be performing at Birmingham Pride 2018 — Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters fame will be performing at Birmingham Pride 2018

Dance Arena:

1pm to 3pm – Jamie Bull

3pm to 6pm – Love Muscle, Hooker Club

6pm to 9pm – Gorgon City, DJ Zinc

9pm to midnight – Sum Cellar, 02.31 Ft Trudos

Sandra London will be hosting performances at Birmingham Pride 2018

The Manchester Airport Cabaret Marquee:

Hosted by Sandra London and Miss Marty

12pm to 3pm – DJ Miss Penny

3pm to 6pm – Myra Dubois, Divine Miss M, Amy La Queefa, Miss Marty, Rose Garden

6pm to 9pm – Glitter Lips, Drag With No Name, Kelly O’Brien: The Dolly Show

9pm to midnight – Champagne Shirley, David Dale, Totally Tina, Vicky Jackson as Pink

The Dolly Show will be performing at Birmingham Pride 2018 on Sunday

Women’s Area:

12pm to 3pm – DJ Daddy & Nora

3pm to 6pm – Jack Strap, Oedipussy, Reyna Washbrook, DJ Little L

6pm to 10pm – DJ Dell, Adam All & Apple Derrieres, DJ Sally

9pm to midnight – DJ Bee, DJ Shorty

The SHOUT queer arts festival will be on the Future Stage at Birmingham Pride 2018 — The SHOUT queer arts festival will be on the Barclays Future Stage at Birmingham Pride 2018

Barclays Future Stage (at the Nightingale):

1pm to 3pm – Shout Festival / Knickerbocker

3pm to 6pm – Alicai Harley, Beep Me, Gay Garage

6pm to 10pm – Mike Q, Lelf, Pxssy Palace and Fraser Bone

On the Sunday of Pride weekend, be sure to check out The Vengaboys performing their classic anthems at the Nightingale club! Or head over to Eden Bar to see Beverley Knight, Tight Fit, La Voix, The Sundaes, Denise Pearson, KY Kelly, Vicki Vivacious, The Fleurettes.

The Birmingham LGBT Centre in Holloway Circus will be hosting free activities over the Birmingham Pride 2018 weekend, just outside the official cordoned off area — The Birmingham LGBT Centre in Holloway Circus will be hosting free activities over the Birmingham Pride 2018 weekend, just outside the officially cordoned off area

Weekend Long Events

As community is at the core of Birmingham Pride, the Birmingham LGBT Centre is hosting several cultural and entertainment-based activities – supported by Ageing Better LGBT Hub. With headliner VG Lee, this is set to include a theatre piece by Acting Out and music from the Birmingham Gay Symphony Orchestra.

Further details of events can be seen here.