Bursting with colour and music, Notts Pride returns bolder and brighter on Saturday 25 July, bringing a full day of march, drag, live music, poetry and family-friendly programming to Sneinton Market and the new Rainbow Quarter , here's what to expect and how to make the most of the day.

Essential Takeaways

  • When and where: Notts Pride takes place Saturday 25 July, starting with the march from Lister Gate to Sneinton Market.
  • Main attractions: Big-stage drag, live sets from Meek and local artist LYVIA, plus Drag Race UK star Nyongbella and Nottingham favourites.
  • Family-friendly: Dedicated family area at Blend Square (quiet hour at midday, activities 1–3pm) with drag story time and crafts.
  • New spaces: The Grove returns as an acoustic alternative stage; Rainbow Quarter venues host extra events and late-night afterparties.
  • Free and volunteer-led: The 29th Notts Pride is run by a charity and volunteers, kept free thanks to sponsors and local partners.

What’s new this year , bolder, brighter, and louder

Notts Pride organisers have dialled up the spectacle, promising a day that feels bigger and sunnier than ever, with glittering pop and drag energy right in the heart of Sneinton Market. The headline pop slot for Meek, fresh from a TV appearance, gives the mainstage real festival fizz, while the Grove stage offers a quieter, intimate contrast for poetry, acoustic sets and comedy. It’s the right balance , full-throttle celebration on the main stage, thoughtful showcases in the acoustic space.

Expect visual theatre as much as music. According to organisers, the line-up includes touring tribute acts, ballroom collectives and the city’s strongest drag talent, so you’ll move between confetti, choreography and quieter spoken-word moments all afternoon. If you like variety, this edition is curated for you.

How the day flows , marching, markets and mainstage moments

The day still begins where it always has, with the march from Lister Gate through the city to Sneinton Market , a lively procession that anchors Pride’s message of visibility and protest. Once at Sneinton, the market becomes a pop-up carnival: stages, food stalls, and community hubs make for easy wandering. The Grove stage’s return gives people a chance to catch emerging voices away from the mainstage volume, so if you’re after conversation and lyrics that linger, head there between headline acts.

Practical tip: arrive early for the march if you want a good spot at Sneinton or to settle children into the family area before the busiest hour around 12.30–1.30pm.

Family-friendly Pride , quieter corners and creative play

This year’s expanded family area at Blend Square aims to be genuinely welcoming, with a designated quiet hour at 12pm and activities from 1–3pm. The Spencer Trust has helped shape the space, so you’ll find drag story time alongside face painting, crafts and gentle games , designed to keep things relaxed for younger attendees and nervous grown-ups alike. Parents should allow time to settle in; organisers suggest the area will feel busiest just after midday.

If your group values low-stimulation pockets, make use of the quiet hour and the family slot early, and scout where to exit the market quickly if little ones need a break.

Night-time, the Rainbow Quarter and afterparties

Notts Pride now stretches beyond the daytime with the Rainbow Quarter’s pubs and venues offering their own celebrations. The Lord Roberts and The New Foresters will stage continuous entertainment, and for those wanting to press on into the night, the first official Notts Pride afterparty at The Palais promises drag, burlesque and club sets hosted by Gladrags. There’s also a Notts Pride Special at The Bodega presented by Homoelectric, with part of ticket sales going back to Pride , a handy way to support the charity while dancing.

If you prefer calmer evenings, check the schedule at local venues for early-evening acoustic sets instead of club shows.

Why this matters , community, campaigning and keeping Pride free

Notts Pride’s organisers are clear the event is about joy and protest in equal measure. Craig Martin, vice-chair of Nottinghamshire Pride, has highlighted that the charity’s work runs all year, creating safer spaces and supporting grassroots groups across the county. The festival’s free, volunteer-led model depends on sponsors, from Sladen Estates to city partners, which keeps the day accessible to everyone.

There’s a local civic note too: Nottingham’s Rainbow Quarter and backing from organisations like It’s in Nottingham show how Pride has become part of the city’s cultural calendar. It’s both celebration and a reminder that visibility still matters.

It's a small change that can make every Pride moment safer and more joyful.

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