Frequently asked questions

Pride events come in many shapes and sizes. Once an event reaches a certain scale, there are significant costs involved in keeping everyone safe, including security, medical cover, staffing, infrastructure and marketing to ensure key information and safety messages reach the public. As we plan for Newcastle Pride 2026, projected costs are estimated to exceed £125,000 due to rising prices and a commitment to pay artists, creatives and staff/contractors fairly. We intend to fundraise in the same ways as other large Pride events, including: • Sponsorship and partnerships  • Grant funding applications • Market trader income  • Fundraising activities and events • Community donations The cost of Newcastle Pride 2025 was approximately £100,000, with organising led by volunteers. Income Breakdown 2025 • Grants – 47% • Business Sponsorship – 31% • Market Stalls / March – 8.5% • Fringe Income – 5.5% • Donations / Other – 8% Northern Pride pledged their closing balance of £8,500, and as they continue to wind up, £4,250 has been received to date.

We loved Pride on the Moor. However, we have a responsibility to ensure the event is accessible to everyone. Unpredictable weather often made the field difficult or impossible to navigate for mobility needs. The costs of Pride taking place on the Town Moor were more than three times the costs of it taking place in the city centre. Moving Pride has: • Improved accessibility • Reduced weather-related risks • Increased visibility of the LGBTQIA+ community in public spaces • Reduced some key costs • Increased paid opportunities, e.g., events and artist commissions We acknowledge accessibility is an ongoing conversation, and no pride is perfect. We continue to listen to feedback and ensure accessibility and safety are at the heart of all plans.

Since picking up the baton, we have held a meeting for LGBTQIA+ Organisations and Pride organisers across the North East, and we have launched our community and stakeholder listening exercise, which so far has included: • Community surveys • In-person meetings  • Stakeholder consultations Community visibility, protest and activism remain central to Pride. Reaffirming these values, particularly in the current political climate, helps strengthen unity and representation. There will be continued opportunities for local LGBTQIA+ artists and grassroots groups to shape and be part of the Pride they want to see, through ongoing engagement and meaningful platforms.

After 17 years, the Northern Pride Board decided to close. This decision followed challenging periods, including: • COVID-19 pandemic • Ongoing cost-of-living crisis. • Rising event and security costs  Their priority has always been to ensure Pride continues sustainably while maintaining strong community ties. They have passed the festival on to us as new caretakers, allowing us to bring fresh energy and new ideas, while building on their strong legacy.

The Pride Arena is just one part of Newcastle Pride. The majority and remaining events and zones are available and free to access across the City Centre, including: • The March  • Trans+ activity • Family activity • Market Village • Community Zones While we aim to keep Pride as accessible as possible, rising costs and the need to fairly pay artists mean that, currently, ticketing is necessary for the Arena. Early-bird ticket prices have been frozen for the third consecutive year to help maintain affordability.

Accessibility and inclusion are core values and will not be compromised. Current and planned measures include: • Including British Sign Language (BSL) provision • Dedicated quiet spaces • Annual review of organisational safeguarding policies These measures ensure Pride remains welcoming, safe, and inclusive for all attendees.

We are working actively to secure sponsorships and funding. If targets are not fully met, we will scale activity to match the available budget while prioritising: • Community safety • Accessibility • Key community-identified priorities We are committed to transparency and will provide regular updates via our socials regarding costs, risks, and progress.

Newcastle’s Pride is the largest in the region, a flagship event and key moment for Newcastle and the wider region's LGBTQIA+ community. We wanted to offer clarity on where it is and to avoid confusion with the name of the closing charity being Northern Pride.

We have a number of ways you can show your pride. Whoever you are, whether you are an individual who wants to make a difference, a small business, or if you just want to show and be counted, there’s a place for you with Newcastle Pride. • Take part in our consultations • Volunteer to help plan and organise Pride or just help on the day • If you are a business can you support Pride or apply for a market stall? • Join the March!   • Organise a fundraising activity in your workplace? Volunteer applications will be opening very soon, so keep an eye out if you’d like to be part of the team behind the scenes.