Get ready for double the LOLs, sass, and stand-up  as Laugh Out Proud  brings you back-to-back queer joy and belly laughs. It’s a comedy double bill you won’t want to miss, all taking place at The Stand Newcastle . The Hilarious Chris Hall Monday: Laugh Out Proud Fundraiser Date:  Monday 9th June Time: 7:30 pm Location:  The Stand Comedy Club, Newcastle We’re kicking off the week with the Laugh Out Proud Fundraiser , a night of fierce, feel-good comedy hosted in support of Newcastle Pride. Expect a brilliant lineup of queer talent, community vibes, and plenty of sparkle. The fabulous Plastiq will host the evening, featuring performances from  Connor Read ,  Al Stevenson ,  Lilian Larkin , and  Nicola Mantalios. The evening will be topped off with our headliner, the hilarious Chris Hall , known for his high-camp, high-energy style that’s guaranteed to leave you in stitches. Comedian Mark Bittlestone! Tuesday: Mark Bittlestone – I Need a Straight Guy* Date:  Tuesday 10th June Time: 7:30 pm Location:   The Stand Comedy Club, Newcastle Following Monday’s fundraiser, we’re back at The Stand for a solo show that’s equal parts outrageous, honest, and laugh-out-loud funny. Mark Bittlestone  brings his critically acclaimed show I Need a Straight Guy*  to Newcastle. A hilariously unfiltered deep dive into modern queer dating, identity, and heartbreak. With his sharp wit and chaotic charm, Mark explores what it means to desire the deeply unavailable, in a set that’s painfully relatable and endlessly entertaining. These shows will feature as part of Northern Pride’s exciting Pride Fringe 2025. To learn more, head to www.northern-pride.com/fringe Pride Fringe 2025 Ophelia B stars in a one woman show, a Life NOT in Heels! Festivalgoers won’t need to wait until July for this year’s Newcastle Pride celebrations to begin, with a programme of exciting events announced today for the city’s first ever Pride Fringe, set to take place from June.  A new addition to the North East calendar for 2025, Pride Fringe will offer a wide range of live entertainment, comedy and theatre, along with LGBTQIA+ networking opportunities at a host of local venues across the early summer months ahead of the highly anticipated Newcastle Pride Festival on 19th and 20th July, which is presented in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council.

We’re so excited to be teaming up with Eldon Square  this summer to bring a joy-filled, family-friendly Pride celebration  right into the heart of Newcastle! Join us on Saturday, June 14,  for a day packed with  colour, creativity, and community  as the centre transforms into a hub of Pride activity, and you’re all invited! 📍 Eldon Square Newcastle – Community Quarter (opposite Chatime) 🕒 10am – 3pm 🎉 FREE & open to all EVENT PLAN: 11am – 1pm: Stilt Walkers Be wowed as towering stilt walkers bring the centre to life with Pride-themed costumes and dazzling energy. Roaming the malls of Eldon Square, Newcastle, throughout the day. 12pm – 2pm : Drag Castle Superhero Performances Don’t miss our superhero-style drag performances bursting with energy! Keep your eyes peeled – you never know which of your favourite Marvel characters may appear! 10am – 3pm: BookWyrm Pop-Up Bookshop & Storytime Step into a world of imagination with BookWyrm, a pop-up bookshop featuring storytime sessions in the Community Quarter. Perfect for little readers and curious minds! 10am – 3pm: Curious Arts Craft Zone Get creative with two inclusive craft experiences led by Curious Arts. These hands-on activities are designed for all ages. 10am – 3pm : Free Face Painting Add a splash of colour to your day with free face painting – rainbows, glitter, and fabulous designs for everyone! Whether you’re here to support, celebrate, or simply soak in the vibrant atmosphere, Eldon Square Newcastle is the place to be. Come as you are and be part of a day where everyone belongs. Pride Fringe 2025 Ophelia B stars in a one woman show, a Life NOT in Heels! Festivalgoers won’t need to wait until July for this year’s Newcastle Pride celebrations to begin, with a programme of exciting events announced today for the city’s first ever Pride Fringe, set to take place from June.  A new addition to the North East calendar for 2025, Pride Fringe will offer a wide range of live entertainment, comedy and theatre, along with LGBTQIA+ networking opportunities at a host of local venues across the early summer months ahead of the highly anticipated Newcastle Pride Festival on 19th and 20th July, which is presented in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council.

Join the hilarious Al Stevenson and his pals for a night of feel-good comedy, all in support of a great cause!   As part of Northern Pride’s Pride Fringe 2025, Al’s Pals are bringing the laughs with a comedy takeover that’ll have you howling (with laughter, not just at the dogs).   Best of all? It’s all in aid of Second Chance Dog Rescue, so every chuckle helps a pup in need. Our host for the night, Al Stevenson What can you expect?   Our Headliner Matt Reed:   Matt Reed is a COMEDY LEGEND! There is not a club in the country Matt has not played; he is a man who has been in every situation that comedy can throw his way. Broken ribs up a mountain. On-stage nudity, crowds of 10 and of 25,000. He’s done it all and he’s done it brilliantly.   “Reason alone to attend a comedy night is having Matt Reed.” – BBC Newcastle   With support from:   Maxine Wade – A leopard that lives in Leeds, Maxine is a BBC New Comedy Awards Regional Finalist (As Seen on BBC Three), who is taking the UK comedy circuit by storm, also winning The Yorkshire Comedy Awards “Best Breakthrough Act 2023”.   “A riotously funny comedian, with excellent material and punchy confidence.” – Edinburgh Comedy Awards Ish   Catherine Young – The winner of The Hilarity Bites New Act Competition 2019! From strength to strength, she has been making crowds all over the UK laugh, being tour support for the likes of Scott Bennett and Nathan Caton!   “Catherine is a warm yet electric act who can fearlessly play any room and is a joy to audiences.” – Felt Nowt Comedy   Percy Savage – A Cumbrian funnyman with a bunch of inventive and effortlessly rib-tickling perspectives, which took him all the way to the semi-finals of, So You Think You’re Funny competition 2021!   “Excellent stand up, electrified the room and audience.” – Lancashire Post   Venue:  The Stand Comedy Club, Newcastle Date:  Thursday 5th June 2025 Time:  Doors 7:00 PM   This show will feature as part of Northern Pride’s exciting Pride Fringe 2025. To learn more, head to www.northern-pride.com/fringe Pride Fringe 2025 Ophelia B stars in a one woman show, a Life NOT in Heels! Festivalgoers won’t need to wait until July for this year’s Newcastle Pride celebrations to begin, with a programme of exciting events announced today for the city’s first ever Pride Fringe, set to take place from June.  A new addition to the North East calendar for 2025, Pride Fringe will offer a wide range of live entertainment, comedy and theatre, along with LGBTQIA+ networking opportunities at a host of local venues across the early summer months ahead of the highly anticipated Newcastle Pride Festival on 19th and 20th July, which is presented in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council.

Get ready to Laugh Out Proud and support a brilliant cause while you’re at it!   The Fringe is nearly here, and we’re announcing a show that’s fierce, funny, and fabulously unapologetic. Laugh Out Proud is our flagship queer comedy fundraiser, bringing the boldest LGBTQIA+ talent to the iconic Stand Newcastle stage.   Expect an electric night of stand-up, sass, and side-splitting joy with:   🎤 PlastiQ (Host) 🎭 Connor Read 🤣 Al Stevenson 🌟 Lilian Larking 🔥 Nicola Mantalios 💥 Headliner: Christopher Hall Internet sensation and raising star Christopher Hall Christopher’s online sketches featuring ’Background Singers’ with his sister Elizabeth, ‘Your Cat’ and ’The Millennial’ have over 12 million likes, 50 million views and spawned collaborations with the likes of Kylie Minogue, Shania Twain, The Jonas Brothers, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, JoJo, Delta Goodrem and Olly Alexander. A rising star in the comedy world, Christopher is known for his quick wit and infectious energy. With a knack for finding humour in the everyday - he is effortless on stage. Bursting with charismatic stage presence and natural comedic timing, and an ever growing fan base, Christopher Hall is undoubtedly one to watch, poised to leave a lasting mark on the world of comedy.   During lockdown, Christopher took to Instagram and TikTok and started releasing a series of sketches; he has built up an impressive following and a number of characters that have become known across the world. Since then, Christopher has taken his comedy and his charm on to the stand-up circuit and performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with sell out shows as well as appearing on ITV’s The Stand Up Sketch Show. Christopher has recently been delighting audiences in Australia performing Self Helpless as well performing in mixed bill shows up and down the UK. Pride Fringe 2025 Ophelia B stars in a one woman show, a Life NOT in Heels! Festivalgoers won’t need to wait until July for this year’s Newcastle Pride celebrations to begin, with a programme of exciting events announced today for the city’s first ever Pride Fringe, set to take place from June.  A new addition to the North East calendar for 2025, Pride Fringe will offer a wide range of live entertainment, comedy and theatre, along with LGBTQIA+ networking opportunities at a host of local venues across the early summer months ahead of the highly anticipated Newcastle Pride Festival on 19th and 20th July, which is presented in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council.

Newcastle Pride is a community led event, rooted in the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights and equality. We are not affiliated with any political party. Our mission is clear and built on values that drive us to work with individuals and groups who are committed to meaningful progress for the LGBTQIA+ community.   We welcome individuals from all backgrounds, including members of political parties, who are working for change from within. However, to keep Pride an inclusive and community-focused space, the promotion or branding of political parties within the march or as a presence at our market stalls is not permitted. This approach helps ensure Pride remains a unifying event, centred on visibility, solidarity, and collective progress, while respecting the diversity of views within our community.   Any groups, organisations or businesses that are specifically designed or constituted to radically exclude any part of the LGBTQIA+ community or fundamentally deny the rights and identities of our community are not permitted and would be asked to leave and not take part in the march.    Our Pride march is different from many others. It's free and open to all, not split into registered blocks or corporate groups. Everyone is welcome to march if they have positive and inclusive intentions and support our values. Any individuals or groups who do not align with this will be asked to leave and, in some cases, removed.    We stand together for our community and hope everyone will join us in ensuring Pride remains a safe and inclusive celebration. More information can be found on our FAQs. www.northern-pride.com/faqs

FOLLOWING this year’s call out for local artists, Northern Pride is excited to unveil the talented artists selected to take centre stage at the inaugural Newcastle Pride Fringe Festival and Newcastle Pride 2025, presented in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council.  Working together with Creative Central NCL and Curious Arts, Northern Pride set local artists a creative brief to express themselves through their chosen art form and respond to this year’s theme, Unapologetically Visible. Lady Kitt is one of our recipients of the Creative Commission Grant Among the recipients of the two Creative Commissions grants worth £2,500 are Christopher Niari and Sam Barley, local fashion designers renowned for their bold custom pieces for drag artists. The grant will support Christopher and Sam in developing new designs to be unveiled during the Pride Fringe Festival, bringing their dynamic aesthetic to a wider audience. The second commission has been awarded to Lady Kitt, a sculptor known for creating impressive and socially conscious installations. Kitt’s Newcastle Pride 2025 installation will offer festivalgoers a place to pause and reflect, serving as both a sanctuary and a physical tribute to the work it takes for LGBTQIA+ people to be unapologetically visible. All art forms were encouraged, which has resulted in an eclectic mix of singers, designers, and artists, celebrating everything the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community has to offer. Christopher Niari and Sam Barley, two local fashion designers! In addition to the two fully funded commissions, three further artists have received Research and Development Get Ready grants to help them create new work or enhance existing ideas. Amy Langdown is one of these lucky creatives who will have the opportunity to showcase their talents with Out Of Your Head! (OOYH!), a themed poetry night where Amy will look to create an event that dispels attitudes around spoken word. This event will be included as part of this year’s Pride Fringe. Finally, EJ Raymond will use the Get Ready grant to screen their short film, Ye Olde Wishing Well, to raise awareness of the deaf community and highlight the barriers deaf creatives continue to face. Vix Leaney, Project Manager at Creative Central NCL said: “We are really pleased to announce the winning artists for this year’s Pride Festival. We received so many incredible submissions for the creative commissions with local artists from all walks of life, and it’s really inspiring to see the talent that is right here in the North East. It’s brilliant to be working in partnership with Northern Pride to give them a unique platform to showcase their creativity in Newcastle city centre this summer.” Amy Langdown, recipient of the Research and Development Get Ready grants Speaking on being selected for one of this year’s creative commissions, Christopher Niari said: “To us, ‘unapologetically visible’ means being unashamedly yourself, and outwardly expressing your queerness boldly and unapologetically. Receiving this funding is absolutely amazing, it gives us a license to create without limitations, therefore allowing us to express our points of view as artists completely unchained. “We really hope to put a spotlight directly on the talent within the fashion and design community within the North East, and really champion the queer excellence that runs deeply through it; a spotlight that will hopefully be lasting.” Also speaking on their successful commission, Lady Kitt said: “It feels great to be supported by local LGBTQIA+ organisations in my creative work. It means I can continue my research into Queer Creative Health, particularly how art interventions can help to reduce stress and emotional labour for multiple marginalised communities. “To me, ‘unapologetically visible’ means having the support, resources, care and community to remain visible even in the current climate. With the funding, I plan to run workshops for local people on ‘how to stay Unapologetically Visible in troubled times’. Through this, attendees can share ideas which will be woven together to create an installation, which I hope offers a space for rest, connection, and contemplation at this year’s Newcastle Pride celebration.”  For the details of Pride Fringe and Newcastle Pride 2025, head to http://www.northern-pride.com/2025 .

We are writing on behalf of Northern Pride and Curious Arts to share with you an important open letter that we have recently drafted in response to the UK Supreme Court ruling on the legal definition of sex in the Equality Act and the latest guidance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The open letter, which I have attached, addresses the impact these developments have on the trans, non-binary, gender-diverse, and intersex communities. As business leaders, we have a unique opportunity to support the rights and dignity of our trans+ community, not just through policy but through our actions. The letter highlights the growing challenges faced by our community, including increased exclusion in public life, discrimination, and escalating hate crimes. It also outlines practical steps that businesses can take to foster more inclusive workplaces and environments. We believe that your leadership can make a significant difference in shaping a more just and compassionate society. We encourage you to read the letter and consider how your organisation might contribute to this cause. Please feel free to share with any of your colleagues and peers who you believe could also help us make the North East a safer and more welcoming environment for everyone under the Trans+ umbrella.  Thank you for your time and consideration. We look forward to the possibility of collaborating with you to support these vital efforts On behalf of Ste Dunn - Director of Northern Pride &  Phil Douglas - CEO of Curious Arts

AFTER its big success last year, Northern Pride is calling out for local artists to get involved as part of its annual creative commission for the newly announced Pride Fringe Festival and Newcastle Pride 2025.  Working in partnership with Creative Central NCL and Curious Arts, Northern Pride is challenging artists to express themselves through their chosen art form and respond to the theme, Unapologetically Visible, including what this means to them and how they would interpret this through their creative talents. All art forms will be encouraged and welcomed, ensuring Newcastle Pride 2025 is promoting inclusivity for all and celebrating everything the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community has to offer. Northern Pride is inviting artists and creatives to apply for a total of five opportunities to create and showcase their work during Pride Fringe Festival and Newcastle Pride 2025. This includes two creative commissions which will see the successful applicants secure £2,500 worth of funding to develop and elevate their artistry, plus three Research and Development Get Ready grants of £750 to help artists create new work or enhance existing ideas. Those interested can visit the Northern Pride website here  to learn more about the criteria and apply before the 12 noon deadline on Friday 11 April 2025.  Artist Emory Southwick with their work, Queer Bodies are Holy! For the first year ever, Northern Pride is proudly launching Pride Fringe Festival which will take place from June 2025. Pride Fringe will bring live entertainment, comedy, theatre and networking events and new experiences, which will include opportunities for the commissioned artists to showcase and celebrate their talents at famous venues across the city centre.  Following a packed schedule of Fringe events, the festivities will culminate in the Newcastle Pride weekend of 19th and 20th July, with a line up of live entertainment, family activities and access to health and wellbeing support, as well as the annual Pride march. Vix Leaney, Project Manager at Creative Central NCL said: “The creative commissions are becoming a highlight in the annual Pride Festival calendar after the success of 2024. It’s great to be working in partnership with Northern Pride again to support more creative commissions from talented local artists.  “We’re hoping to see applications from creators, performers, activists, producers and artists from across the North East. With the exciting addition of Pride Fringe for 2025, there are even more opportunities for the creative community to express themselves and share their art in Newcastle city centre.” Multi-talented dancer and DJ, Azula Bandit Multi-talented dancer and DJ, Azula Bandit, who was commissioned for Pride in the City last year said: “I applied in 2024 to create a show that fused live DJing, dance, and hosting – a concept I hadn’t seen done in this way before. For me, the true aim of applying was to encourage and inspire through cultural representation and self-expression.   “The commission gave me the space to push my vision, and it exceeded my expectations by showing me just how much I could bring to life with the right support. Through the commission, I learned that my adaptability is expansive – I can shift, evolve, and execute at a high level. Most importantly, I realised I have a strong, clear vision, and when I trust that, the work can speak for itself. I’d highly recommend every artist to apply for the creative commission for Newcastle Pride 2025.” Stencil art by the amazing IDa4 Stencil artist Chris Fleming, whose artist name is IDa4, also spoke about last year’s commission, saying: “As a proud member of the local LGBTQIA+ community, I knew I wanted to take part in Pride in the City 2024 and represent my city and community. The whole creative commission's experience was brilliant. It was really smooth and easy to apply and to work with the Northern Pride team with regular communication. “My art for Pride was a big piece that took a lot of planning, with a mix of stencil sizes. I’m constantly pushing myself and learning when making my art, so I was really happy with the overall look I achieved for the festival. I’d encourage anyone who is thinking of applying for the creative commission to absolutely do it – you won’t regret it!” Full details of the creative commission for Newcastle Pride 2025 can be found at https://creativecentralncl.co.uk/opportunities/ or follow Northern Pride on socials to stay up to date with all the latest news.

Northern Pride today celebrates its recognition for Pride in the City 2024  in the annual North East England Tourism Awards in partnership with VisitEngland, which saw the festival shortlisted in the new Tourism Festival or Event category which was introduced for 2025.   Bishop Auckland based festival Kynren took home the glassware as winners, with members of the public voting in their thousands in this first of its kind award for the region. Other finalists included Northumberland County Show and Durham Fire and Ice.    Pride in the City 2024 was recognised for its success and fantastic contribution to the local visitor economy in the prestigious awards ceremony which took place on Thursday 20 March at Newcastle Civic Centre, bringing together the very best within the North East tourism industry for a night of glitz and glam.    For the first time in its history, Destination North East, the team behind the awards, gave the region the opportunity to decide the winners in three new local categories, including the Tourism Festival or Event category. The new categories were designed to shine a light on the tourism industry’s amazing volunteers, up-and-coming new talent, and the unforgettable events and festivals that delighted audiences over the past 12 months. Some of the Northern Pride team at the awards Traditionally Northern Pride Festival was held on the outskirts of the city, however, in February 2024, Pride in the City was announced, moving the annual celebration into a number of locations across Newcastle's city centre. This included 21 city centre venues, places and spaces getting involved, 12 satellite events taking place and four stages with incredible talent across the weekend. Thanks to this new approach, Pride in the City 2024 saw almost 17,000 people from the local community join the annual Pride march, with 82,000 people in attendance across the entire festival. This resulted in an impressive £4million boost to the local economy from visitors heading into the city.   Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride said: “We are over the moon to have been recognised in the North East England Tourism Awards for Pride in the City 2024. It was an ambitious change for the Festival, moving from the Town Moor into the heart of the city, but it was absolutely worth it.  “This nomination was a testament to the hard work of our volunteers and the work we've done with businesses in the city to ensure a warm and safe welcome for all attendees across the festival. Not only that, but this highlights the importance of queer culture being recognised in the event and tourism space and we hope this long continues as we celebrate being unapologetically visible.   “This week we’ve seen the vulnerability of events like ours in Europe with Hungary banning pride marches after 30 years. As a global community our rights are being challenged on a daily basis and our fight against queer culture erasure needs to be stronger than ever. So we can not take this acknowledgment of our Pride in the City success for granted, but use this to move forward and build a strong cohesive community and provide safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ people here in the region and for those that visit all year round.   “We’d like to thank all those that voted for our festival, and for the ongoing support from the LGBTQIA+ community, our allies and the region’s tourism sector for their continued efforts to work with Northern Pride in creating a safe and welcoming North East.”

Northern Pride presents: The Pedro Pascal says Trans Rights Cabaret   Mack and Mama Rhi are back with the cabaret of their dreams: The Pedro Pascal says Trans Rights Cabaret! This cabaret will celebrate local Trans icons, celebrity crushes and is a chance to explore the lifelong question: do you want to be with them, be them, or both?   We welcome you to join us for a homage to Stars In Their Eyes…but Trans. Including a star-studded line up of acts ranging from drag, poetry, live music and more - all giving off that main character energy. Open to all LGBTQIA+ Folks, their allies, Zaddies and of course, most importantly Pedro Pascal!!! ​ As part of Newcastle Pride, supported by Alphabetti Theatre. ​ The cabaret will also feature as part of Newcastle Pride's exciting Trans + Zone, with more details to be announced! Mama Rhi and Mack - Image TJ Mov Mack & Rhi are two creative cabaret artists who have joined forces to make queer, cult comedy, DIY cabarets with joy, silliness and marginalised voices at their centre.  They were the makers of shows such as: JAWS (but gay), GAYLIEN, Twin Freaks and Pocket Sized Party, their first children's show all taking place at Alphabetti Theatre . ​ Mack (they/he) is a trans creative who makes work that is playful, educational, silly and raw, with an aim to help represent the underrepresented and advocate good vibes for the LGBTQIA+ community.   Rhianne (she/her) is a queer creative who makes work that is satirically sexy, rebellious and mischievous with a wicked sense of humour that promotes body acceptance and joyous celebrations of love.   Together they make work that holds chaos, silliness, alternative and heartwarming comedy with queer joy at its heart, creating friendly spaces for queer people and their pals to be themselves and celebrate their voices and experiences. Northern Pride presents The Pedro Pascal says Trans Rights Cabaret   Saturday 19th July 2025   Doors: 7pm Performance:  7.30pm Running Time: 120 mins (including interval)   Tickets:           General Admission  (£10) Concessions  (£5) Suitable for: Over 65, Student, Artist, Unemployment Benefit, Disability Benefit. Please not proof of concession eligibility may be asked for upon arrival at the box office.  Complimentary tickets are available for PAs supporting those with access requirements. No Questions Asked  (£3)   Age Rec: 18+

All aboard for an unforgettable ride this Pride, as Newcastle-based train operator,   Lumo , continues its support for   Newcastle Pride  festival. With the return of the popular Lumo Platform stage and Newcastle Pride Market Village, Lumo is helping to make this year’s celebrations bigger and better than ever. The Lumo Platform, a dynamic live performance stage that was a huge hit at Pride in the City in 2024, will continue to bring the city’s queer community and allies together. A call out for local performers to take part on the stage is currently underway, with opportunities for North East artists to showcase their talents and highlight what it means to them to be ‘unapologetically visible’. In keeping with the tradition of collaboration, Newcastle Mela will once again be joining the celebrations, bringing a vibrant mix of culture and music to the Lumo Platform stage. Their ongoing partnership with Newcastle Pride celebrates the intersection of art, culture, and community in both the LGBTQIA+ and South Asian communities, the only collaboration of its kind in the UK. Newcastle Mela took over the Lumo Platform Stage last year! The Newcastle Pride Market Village will take over the heart of the city centre at Grey’s Monument and Old Eldon Square with a wide range of LGBTQIA+ businesses and independent creators. With market stalls getting booked up fast, vendors are encouraged to apply now to secure their spot to be a part of this year’s festivities. Martin Gilbert, Managing Director at Lumo, shared, “We are extremely proud to be supporting Newcastle Pride for a third year. Diversity and inclusion is an important part of our culture and service at Lumo, and Pride is an event that means a lot to our team, customers, and local community, so we are really pleased to be able to continue our support. The popular Lumo Platform stage will be returning for 2025 in the heart of the city and there are more ways for the people to get involved in the fun including the Market Village.” We took over Monument in style! Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, commented, “We are thrilled to have Lumo’s continued support for Newcastle Pride 2025, delivered in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council. Their commitment to diversity and inclusion is what Newcastle Pride is all about. Lumo not only brings us the Lumo Platform and Market Village during the festival weekend but also provides inclusive and sustainable rail travel for visitors making their way to Pride from across the UK. We invite everyone to visit the Market Village to support LGBTQIA+ businesses and enjoy the incredible live performances and experiences we’ve got lined up this year.” Newcastle Pride 2025 will take place on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th July across various locations throughout Newcastle. The Pride Arena at Central Park in Times Square will host an impressive lineup of performers, including Pixie Lott and Gok Wan, along with a spectacular range of drag shows, DJs, tribute acts, and more. The streets around Grey’s Monument and Old Eldon Square will come alive with vibrant market stalls and festivities, making this year’s Newcastle Pride a truly city-wide celebration of love, unity, and inclusion. To find out more about securing one of the market village stalls or performing at this year’s event, visit:   https://www.northern-pride.com/ 2025 .

FESTIVAL goers won’t need to wait until July for this year’s Newcastle Pride celebrations to begin, with a programme of exciting events announced today for the city’s first ever Pride Fringe, set to take place from June.    A new addition to the North East calendar for 2025, Pride Fringe will offer a wide range of live entertainment, comedy and theatre, along with LGBTQIA+ networking opportunities at a host of local venues across the early summer months ahead of the highly anticipated Newcastle Pride Festival on 19th and 20th July, which is presented in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council. As part of the celebration, North East drag royalty Pride Radio favourite, Ophelia Balls, will also be taking to the stage, debuting their very own one-woman show, ‘A Life Not in Heels’, Friday 20th June at Northern Stage. For the very first time, and without a safety net, Ophelia will be sharing heartfelt, hilarious, and unforgettable stories from their life as a legendary North East drag queen. Ophelia Balls will be debuting their very own one-woman show, ‘A Life Not in Heels’ The Fringe festivities will kick off on 5th June with ‘Al’s Pals’ at Newcastle’s The Stand Comedy Club hosted by local comedian, Al Stevenson, and featuring a range of North East comedic talent including Matt Reed, Maxine Wade, Catherine Young and Percy Savage. This will then be followed by Newcastle Pride’s ‘Laugh Out Proud’ fundraiser on the 9th June, also at The Stand Comedy Club, which will bring together some of the UK’s best LGBTQIA+ comedians for a one-night-only celebration of queer talent and community. All funds raised from the event will go directly to Northern Pride, who work to protect, promote, and provide for the LGBTQIA+ community..  Other highlights of the Pride Fringe programme for 2025 include an immersive screening of the Wizard of Oz at Tyneside Cinema on Thursday 12th June, featuring some of the region’s favourite drag artists. Pride Speed Friending at NQ64, will take place a week later, Thursday 19th, which encourages meeting new people through a mix of games, chats and chilled out vibes and the iconic ‘Pedro Pascal says Trans Rights Cabaret’ which will take place at the Alphabetti cinema on 19th July. Northern Proud Voices are back with their Newcastle Cathedral Concert Northern Pride is partnering with other LGBTQIA+ organisations and charities to bring more to Pride Fringe this year. Northern Proud Voices are back with their Newcastle Cathedral Concert on Friday 4th July, Curious Arts are showcasing Bi Curious George at Alphabetti a day earlier on Thursday 3rd. Northern Pride will also be partnering with Out to Swim who will be showcasing their inclusive swimming sessions at Heworth before enjoying a social event down on the quayside on Saturday 5th July. Festival attendees will also have the opportunity to join Out of Office, the LGBTQIA+ professionals network for an evening of business networking and a special panel discussion with leading figures from the region at Ward Haddaway’s Quayside premises, Thursday 26th June. What also promises to be fab additions to Pride Fringe, will be the Eldon Sq take over which will take place on Saturday 14th June, whilst queer makers and creatives will be invited to One Strawberry Lane for an indoor market, Queer Exchange, which will take place on Sunday 22nd June.  Jack Wonnacott, one of Pride Fringe’s producers, said: “It’s such an honour to be part of the very first Newcastle Pride Fringe, a fantastic way to kick off the festival even earlier this year. Having the opportunity to produce my own events for Fringe has been incredibly empowering. I’ve been involved with Newcastle Pride since 2019, and I know firsthand how much it means to both the city and the LGBTQIA+ community. That’s why it means so much to be trusted with something so special.” Haydn Brown, official photography partner of Northern Pride and another one of Pride Fringe’s producers, added: “It’s incredible to see the community coming together for another special celebration of what it means to be unapologetically visible. From the Pride Speed Friending at NQ64 to LGBTQIA+ comedy nights at The Stand, there really will be something for everyone to enjoy over the summer, and it’s a privilege to be involved with making this all happen.” Co-producers of Pride Fringe, Jack Wonnacott and Haydn Brown Following an incredible response to its creative commission call, Newcastle Pride is also almost ready to announce the worthy winners, who will have the chance to create and showcase their work during Pride Fringe Festival and Newcastle Pride 2025. Some events require tickets, which start from £3, and are available from 1st May. Market stalls registration also opens on 1st May. For the details of all the Pride Fringe events, when they go live, head to www.northern-pride.com/fringe