Pride Festival returns to Northampton for 2023

West Northamptonshire Council’s (WNC) LGBTQ and Allies Forum, the Northampton Pride Committee and Travis Perkins plc are delighted to announce the Northampton Pride Festival will be returning on Saturday, 8 July with the popular Pride Parade and a range of exciting performances.

The event, which gives residents in West Northamptonshire the opportunity to come together to celebrate and stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ communities, will take place from 11am to 6.30pm, starting in Abington Street, Northampton, before finishing at the University of Northampton’s (UON) Waterside Campus where there will be a full programme of entertainment and a range of community stalls and food vendors. 

The Pride Parade, which is sponsored by Travis Perkins plc which is the UK’s largest distributor of building materials and a major local employer, promises spectacular sights and sounds. It will set off from the BBC Radio building in Abington Street at 11am, and arrive in the centre of the Waterside Campus at around 11.50am, when the event will be officially opened with a minute of noise. 

Entertainment on the day will include rainbow stilt walkers, hula hoopers, Burlesque dancers, Drag Queens and musical performances from Afriene, Smashby, Empire and Born to Perform. A number of community groups will also be present on the day to provide information and support including Northamptonshire Integrated Sexual Health and HIV service (NISH), Qspace and Lowdown.

“Pride is a time to celebrate how far we’ve come whilst acknowledging that there is still work to be done in our fight towards equality in West Northants.
“This event is about communities coming together in celebration, protest, unity and solidarity and really is a wonderful team effort - from face painting to hula hooping, there is something for everyone!
 
“I would encourage you all to save the date and come along, celebrate diversity and stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community.”Cllr David Smith, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Engagement, and Regulatory Services

The Sunley Hotel, based within the UON campus, will be providing a quiet space on the day with support available from the voluntary mental health charity the Lowdown, for anybody who is feeling overwhelmed, anxious or in need some confidential help and advice.

“I am extremely excited for this year’s celebrations and to meet people from all over the area for this fantastic event. We have an amazing line-up with some very exciting personalities and I’m glad they are coming along to represent Northampton Pride.

“I also want to thank everyone from the West Northants LGBTQ+ and Allies Forum for the excellent work they do to represent the local LGBTQ+ community and campaigning in solidarity with the global LGBTQ+ community.

“Thank you also to the Pride Committee group for their hard work on the event each year, both in the lead up, and on the day.”Matthew Toresen MBE, Chair of West Northants LGBTQ+ and Allies Forum

The Northampton Pride Committee includes members from West Northants Council, the Northampton LGBTQ Forum, Northants Fire and Rescue Service, University of Northampton, The Lowdown, QSpace, NHFT, BID, NLive and Northampton Town Council.

“We are committed to become a more inclusive business that attracts a more diverse range of talents and people, so we provide a work environment that better reflects the diversity of the communities where we live and work, and are proud to support Pride again. 

“It’s a great opportunity to celebrate diversity and support our colleagues and everyone from the local LGBTQ+ community.”Dean Pinner, Managing Director of Keyline and sponsor of Travis Perkins Group’s LGBTQ+ colleague network