Shoppers and revellers are already planning their weekend , Brighton & Hove Pride returns to Preston Park on 1–2 August with a star-studded Pride on the Park lineup, big headliners and club-ready DJ sets, so here’s the full, easy-to-scan guide to who’s on when and where.

Essential Takeaways

  • Dates and place: Brighton & Hove Pride is at Preston Park on Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 August, marking the festival’s 35th anniversary.
  • Big headliners: RAYE closes Saturday’s Main Stage (21:00–22:30), while Diana Ross headlines Sunday (20:30–22:00).
  • Notable appearances: RuPaul makes a first-ever Brighton Pride appearance with a DJ set; Paris Hilton, Jessie J, Leigh-Anne and Melanie C also feature.
  • Dance arena action: Purple Disco Machine, Armand Van Helden and Patrick Mason headline the State of Us Dance Arena across the weekend , expect long DJ sets and a club atmosphere.
  • More than music: The weekend includes the city’s Community Parade, LGBTQ+ community spaces and fundraising for local charities.

Who’s headlining and when , the must-see slots

If you want the short version, book Saturday evening for RAYE’s 90-minute closer and Sunday for Diana Ross’s big finish. According to the official schedule, RAYE takes the Saturday Main Stage from 21:00 to 22:30 and Diana Ross closes the festival on Sunday from 20:30 to 22:00. Those two sets frame a weekend that mixes pop icons with club names, so you can pick big singalongs or late-night dance floor energy. If you’re timing travel, those headline slots are what to build your day around.

Saturday highlights , pop, pride and show-stopping moments

Saturday’s Main Stage opens with quick, colourful turns from Jonny Woo and Moonchild Sanelly and builds through Leigh-Anne and a RuPaul DJ set in the Icon slot. You’ll find Jessie J mid-evening (19:25–20:15) before RAYE closes the night, while the State of Us Dance Arena leans into house and disco with Daniel Avery’s electro set earlier and Purple Disco Machine taking a long slot from 20:30 to 22:00. For families, daytime acts are accessible and upbeat; for clubbers, the afternoon-to-night programming gives plenty of chances to switch scenes without leaving the park.

Sunday highlights , legends, nostalgia and dance-floor finales

Sunday serves up a blend of pop nostalgia and modern club curation, from Melanie C and Holly Johnson to Paris Hilton and Five, finishing with Diana Ross. Across at the dance arena, Armand Van Helden is booked for a prime 19:30–21:00 slot, so those who want to close the weekend on a high-energy DJ set have a solid option while the Main Stage prepares for the Diana Ross finale. It’s a programme that recognises different ways to celebrate Pride , sing, dance, or both.

How the weekend fits into Brighton’s culture and causes

Brighton & Hove Pride has become as much about community and visibility as it is about stars onstage. Organisers have kept the parade, community spaces and fundraising at the festival’s heart, so beyond the headline acts the weekend supports local LGBTQ+ groups and charities. If you’re attending, consider arriving early to explore community stalls and heritage spaces , it’s a reminder that the music sits alongside meaningful civic work.

Practical tips for planning your weekend

Get a printed or saved copy of the timetable so you don’t miss headline windows; the Main Stage and State of Us Dance Arena run overlapping schedules. If you want front-of-stage spots for RAYE or Diana Ross, arrive well before the headline slots. Bring layers for the evening when temperatures drop, hydrate between sets, and set meeting points with friends in case your phone blips. Tickets and final purchases are available via the Pride on the Park site; keep an eye on official channels for last-minute stage changes.

It's a small change that can make every moment of Pride on the Park go smoother.

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