Thousands of people are expected to descend upon the centre of Nottingham this Saturday, 25 July, in support of Nottinghamshire’s LGBTQ+ community, as Notts Pride returns for its 29th year.
With this year’s theme, ‘Bolder and Brighter’, the East Midlands’ largest free Pride event will once again transform the streets of Nottingham with its iconic Pride march, two live stages, an expanded family area, and celebrations extending across Sneinton Market and the city’s newly launched Rainbow Quarter. From nationally recognised performers and local LGBTQ+ talent to community activities and late-night celebrations, Notts Pride 2026 is set to be one of the charity’s most ambitious events yet.
Leigh Ellis, Chair of Nottinghamshire Pride, said: “Notts Pride is a chance for our whole community to come together, celebrate who we are, and show the strength, creativity and diversity of LGBTQ+ people across Nottinghamshire. As we enter our 29th year, we’re proud to continue growing the event while keeping our core mission at the centre of all we do: creating a welcoming space where everyone can be themselves. We’re looking forward to welcoming thousands of people to the city this Saturday for a day of celebration, visibility, support, connection and community.”
Notts Pride organisers have shared answers to some of the most frequently asked questions to help visitors plan their day:
The Notts Pride march will start at 12 pm on Saturday 25 July 2026 from Lister Gate, Nottingham city centre. You do not need to register to take part.
From 11 am, the march will gather on Lister Gate (near Birds Bakery) before making its way towards Broad Marsh Green Heart to begin the route. The march is approximately one mile in distance, and participants are encouraged to arrive in plenty of time.
The Notts Pride march will travel through Nottingham city centre, Old Market Square, the Lace Market, and the Rainbow Quarter in Hockley before arriving at Sneinton Market for the main stage celebrations.
The route usually takes between 45 minutes and 1 hour 15 minutes to complete, and everyone is welcome to join, whether as individuals, couples, families, or as part of a group.
The full route map, illustrated by Notts Pride resident artist PJ Dracovich, is available on the Notts Pride social media channels and website.
In addition to a new line-up of top talent taking to the Notts Pride main stage, celebrations will continue beyond Sneinton Market at the newly launched Rainbow Quarter. The Lord Roberts will be celebrating Pride in its signature style at the iconic venue, while The New Foresters, Nottingham’s oldest LGBTQ+ bar, will keep the celebrations going with non-stop entertainment throughout the day and into the early hours.
This year will also see the launch of the first official Notts Pride after-party at The Palais, hosted by Gladrags – one of Nottingham’s longest-running LGBTQ+ club nights – alongside a Notts Pride special from Homoelectric at The Bodega, with a percentage of ticket sales donated directly to Notts Pride to help keep the event free and accessible for all.
The main stage will be located at Sneinton Market and will host a packed programme of drag performances, live music, spoken word, and performances from local and national LGBTQ+ talent throughout the day, running from 12.45 pm to 7 pm.
The Grove Stage will also return for 2026, offering a more intimate setting with a line-up of live music, poetry and comedy, while continuing to spotlight underrepresented voices from Nottingham’s queer creative community.
A range of food and drink options will be available across the event, with the official Notts Pride bar located at Sneinton Market, serving drinks in polycarbonate glasses to help keep everyone safe and reduce plastic waste.
Glass bottles and alcohol not purchased from the designated outdoor bars will not be permitted in the main stage area.
Visitors are also encouraged to support local LGBTQ+ bars, restaurants and venues across the Rainbow Quarter, many of which will be offering Pride-themed events, entertainment and special offers throughout the day and into the evening.
The Family Area will return for 2026, with a dedicated space at Blend Square in Sneinton Market from 1 pm to 3 pm, with a quiet hour starting at 12 pm. Developed in partnership with LGBTQ+ charity The Spencer Trust, the area will offer a range of family-friendly activities, including Drag Story Time with Kitty Tray, face painting, crafts, and games.
The space is designed to provide a relaxed, welcoming environment for younger attendees and their families. Organisers expect the area to be busiest between 12.30 pm and 1.30 pm and encourage families to allow time to settle in and make use of the space.
Notts Pride has been designed to be accessible for all. There will be a designated space in the first section of the march for people with disabilities, mobility challenges and wheelchair users. This space will be clearly signposted near the flag between the trees at the bottom of Albert Street. This section of the march will be less crowded and supported by march stewards throughout.
British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters will be on the main stage throughout the day, signing lyrics and speeches. The main stage at Sneinton Market will also have a designated accessible viewing area near the front of the stage for wheelchair users and anyone who needs a better view of the BSL interpreters.
All stewards and security teams have been briefed on these accessibility measures and will be available to help on the day. If you require any event maps or documents in PDF format, please contact the Notts Pride team via the website.
Nottingham city centre is easily reached by tram, bus or train. As large groups of people from Nottinghamshire and beyond are expected to descend upon Nottingham city centre, the NET tram service will be operating a revised timetable so visitors can attend the Pride celebrations and march safely.
To ensure the safe passage of the parade, trams will terminate at Royal Centre and Nottingham Station between 11.30 am and 2.30 pm. Old Market Square and Lace Market tram stops will remain closed during this time.
Several city centre roads will also be closed to accommodate the march route, which may affect some bus services. Visitors are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and allow extra time for travel. The closest car park to the main stage is located on Stoney Street.
Extra toilet facilities will be available in the area just off Sneinton Market, with several accessible toilets provided. Additional toilet facilities will also be available at many venues throughout the surrounding area.
All assistance dogs and well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.
How much does it cost to attend?
Notts Pride is completely free to attend and always has been. The event is organised by volunteers and funded through donations, sponsorships and support from local businesses, helping to ensure it remains accessible for everyone.
Those who would like to support Notts Pride can donate on the day via collection buckets or online at www.nottspride.co.uk/donate.
Who is supporting Notts Pride 2026?
This year’s principal sponsor is Sladen Estates, marking the company’s sixth consecutive year supporting Notts Pride in this role. The event sponsor is Nottingham City Council, with It’s in Nottingham as headline sponsor.
Additional sponsors include Nottingham Building Society, E.ON, Boots, East Midlands Airport, SDL Surveying, Tesco, Cartwright and MPG.
What do I do if I need help on the day?
There will be 30 trained stewards and 40 security staff on site throughout the day. They will be wearing high-visibility jackets and can assist with directions, safety, or general questions.
Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and St John’s Ambulance will also be present throughout the day to provide medical support.
“`
