Bristol Pride moves to new city centre location for 2016 celebrations.
After record numbers attending Pride in 2015, organisers have taken the decision to move the festival, which has taken place in Castle Park since 2010, to increase capacity for those attending.
This years main festival will take place on Saturday, July 9 on the iconic Bristol Amphitheatre and at Bristol’s Millennium Square, in partnership with the science centre and will be the culmination of 10 days of events across the city,
Last year nearly 30,000 people attended Pride Day, making it one of the largest festivals to take place in the city. The move will create a larger space for festival activities and ensure those wishing to show their support for equality and diversity are able to attend and enjoy a fantastic day of live music, cabaret, dancers, family activities and community stalls along with the bustling market and food traders.
Voted one of the best Pride events in the country, Bristol Pride was one of the key Green Capital partner events in 2015 and named in the top 3 reasons why people visited Bristol in 2015 in the annual Destination Bristol survey.
In his annual address to the city, Mayor George Ferguson praised the event for bringing more into the local economy than any other festival in the city.
A full list of acts performing this year is still to be announced. Artists already announced on this year’s bill include Rozalla singer of the anthemic Everybody’s Free (to feel good), Pop & Folk singer and X-factor favourite Lucy Spraggan, girl-duo DeltAmour, Bristol’s Wildflowers, the formidable A*M*E and Electro Pop sensation Bright Light Bright Light who come fresh from touring with Sir Elton John.
The Pride Festival runs from July 1 to 10 across the city and will once again be a fantastic showcase of community talent. There will be comedy, theatre and gaming events as well as the ever popular Dog Show and annual Film Festival at the Watershed, hailed by The Guardian as one of the best in the country.
Entry to the festival remains by donation, but Pride are calling on everyone to buy a £5 supporter wristband to help make the event happen.
Wristbands offer festival discounts including money off food outlets, bars, discounted ferry travel and free travel on Pride Day with First Buses.
Joint Day & Night tickets are available for £15 which includes entry to three afterparties including the official Pride Afterparty at the O2 Academy featuring top international and local DJs as well as special dance and aerial performances.
Organiser Daryn Carter, said: “Castle Park has been our home for the last 6 years and while we are sad to be leaving we have outgrown the current usable space. We want Pride to be the best it can be whilst remaining a vital and visible community event. This move will help us to accommodate the numbers now attending Pride but also to offer dedicated spaces for our family, dance and performances areas in Millennium Square with thanks to atBristol.
“Pride continues to be an exciting and celebratory event but is one with a serious message. We will again be one of the largest events to take place in the city so we are proud to be making a visible stand for the LGBT community and for equality & diversity. Pride also tackles issues such as prejudice and hate crime, brings communities together, is a voice for social injustice and for those in other countries who face persecution.”
Pride Day on July 9 starts with a parade through the city including Broadmead and Cabot Circus before heading over to the Bristol Amphitheatre.
For more information about Bristol Pride, click here: