Banksy might be the most overused word in the city, but Bristol’s ‘brizz’ is more than just being the home of the pseudonymous street artist. It boasts a world-class art scene, its gentrification is on the rise, and its home to one of the largest Pride festivals in Britain, Bristol pride. This dream destination for LGBTQ+ travelers hosts an award-winning Pride festival. In fact, it was Gaydio’s 2024 “Pride Organization of the Year” and even won the 2024 UK Festival Award for the “Best Non-Music Festival.” Its 16th edition, which is happening from 28th June to 13th July 2025, promises to be bigger and better, with parades, balls, boat tours, film, theater, talks, comedy outfits, and even dog shows! It all culminates at the main festival on Pride Day on 12th July at The Downs.

Are you planning to head to Banksy’s city for Pride? Here’s a useful guide that features not only the how, the what, and the where of the Pride activities and events, but also where you can stay and really enjoy all the fun.

What makes the Pride parade in ‘Brizzle,’ as the city is lovingly nicknamed, unique is that it’s a walking parade. Since most of the city center is a clean air zone to reduce emissions, the parade doesn’t feature floats or vehicles.

This year, the Bristol Pride date, a.k.a. Pride Day, is 12th July. Gathering for the parade happens around 10am at the Bandstand end of Castle Park, ultimately departing at 10.45am. The two-mile-long route, which takes nearly an hour to finish starts from Bandstand, taking a circle around Cabot Circus along Union Street, the Horsefair, Penn Street, Broad Weir, and Newgate Street. Then, it goes onto Wine and High Streets, going down Baldwin Street and crossing the canal and going along the waterfront, finally ending at Lloyds Amphitheater. After getting to the Amphitheater, there are free shuttle buses waiting to ferry you to The Downs. Or, you could take the First Buses from The Cenotaph or College Green stops.

When you get to Union Street, there’s a short hill incline. If you want to avoid that, you can join the parade on the other side of Castle Park, by Wine Street. 

Brizzle Pride is committed to accessibility. Pride Day celebrations take place at the grassy Durdham Downs in Clifton, with larger viewing platforms and better access. If you’re physically challenged or have disabilities and have purchased your wristband, then they’ll also match your wristband with a free one for your carer or personal assistant. All you need to do is complete this form and upload all necessary documents. If you want more information, check out the accessibility page.

Castle Park sits right in the city center of Bristol, right by Cabot Circus. So, those staying in neighborhoods such as Old City, Harborside, and Cabot Circus can simply walk down to the park. If you’re traveling by train directly to the Downs, the nearest train station is Clifton Down, with buses 1,2,3, and 4 going from the city center (Cabot Circus South or Union Street bus stops) to the Downs.

You’ll receive a travel code on the First Bus app for free travel on Pride Day rather than showing your e-ticket or wristband. If you’re traveling on Pride Day and have a Supporter Wristband, you can travel for free on the First Bus in the city zone. See more about travel on our Travel and Stay page.

‘Brizzle’ Pride is one of the world’s most diverse pride festivals. It features not just a parade and stages with tons of performances, but also sports activities, theater performances, film screenings, photography sessions, museum visits, and even nature treks.

Pride Day celebrations begin with the Friday night extravaganza that is the Pre-Pride Disco on 11th July (Friday) at Bristol Museum, one of the most iconic venues in the city. Dance to the tunes of DJ Nigel Grace, Mayme Lawless, queer feminist collective Grrrl Crush, and more. Don’t forget the party packs, complete with essentials such as LED batons.

The Main Stage is the epicenter of all action. It sees incredible global and local superstars, emerging acts, and tons of festival headliners, with the action beginning at noon and going on till 9:45 pm. This year’s host is Boogaloo Stu, with Allie X as the headliner for 2025 and performances from DJ Neil Prince, singers ACE, Jason Kwan, and Cascada, and speaker Bobbi Pickard, among others. Another group gracing the Main Stage is Singout Bristol, Southwest England’s largest LGBTQ+ organization.

The Circus Tent proudly showcases diversity within the LGBTQ+ community, promoting equal rights, sexual diversity, and gender variance. This year sees the incredible Queer AF Cabaret host an exciting programme with outstanding performers. Host Jersey the Devil introduces a host of amazing performing acts – pun unintended – by Amazi, Miss Tea Cakes, Tyrone Herlihy, and more.

As the circus rolls out at 5 pm, the tunes crank up, with the Circus Tent transforming into the DJ Dance Tent. 2025 sees Brizzle Pride team up with city faves DTYM, dishing out pop, 90s, disco, and RnB bangers with resident DJs ElectroNic and Mister Morgan. Did we mention that they’ll also have some fabulous GoGo dancers joining the party, which also has a flashmob? Yes!

Bristol has many great groups that provide safe spaces and work to tackle LGBTQ+ phobia in sports. There are excellent sports tasters being held throughout all days of the Pride celebrations. The best bit? They’re all free! Besides Queer Tango that introduces you to the basics of Argentine tango, there’s Queerballers (queer women netball), the Bristol City FC (the city’s LGBTQ+ inclusive team), Bristol Bisons (rugby), and even roller derby! Oh, and there will also be a casual swimming pool experience, along with a post-social event. What could be better?

One of the biggest parts of Brizzle pride every year is the Queer Vision Film Festival. This year, the Pride celebrations feature a gamut of important films throughout the month, starting off with an absolute banger: the Brazilian erotic thriller Night Stage playing on 28th June at the Watershed at 8 pm. The 2025 celebrations also honor the Ang Lee classic Brokeback Mountain on its 20th anniversary on 5th July (Saturday) at Megascreen, Bristol Aquarium at 8 pm.

Theater also takes centerstage at Brizzle Pride in 2025, with performances including the Sad Gay AIDS Play, the satirical one-woman show ‘Why God created lesbians,’ and FutureQueer, which explores how queer peeps will be living in 2073.

Don’t forget Pride Comedy Night on 6th July (Sunday) taking place at Bristol Old Vic at 6 pm. It will feature an incredible line-up of award-winning LGBTQ+ artists. These include the likes of incredible host Jayde Adams, as well as award-winning comedian Ania Magliano, Welsh-Indian comedy writer/stand-up comedian Priya Hall, Sophie Duker, and more.

The Official Afterparty

Brizzle Pride’s incredible official afterparty is a multi-room extravaganza that’s packed with a plethora of performances, local and international DJs, free-flowing delicious drinks, and a few surprises too. The official afterparty takes place at O2 Academy Bristol from 10 pm onwards on 12th July, after the celebrations at The Downs. The Main Arena is all about ‘Guilty Pleasures,’ with energetic DJs bringing the house down with the greatest musical hits. Meanwhile, Room 2 is ‘Beefmince’ central, where dance, disco, and house music is played along with pride anthems. Entry tickets are priced GBP 12 and upwards.

Afterparties No. 2 and 3

Booty Bass, a collective of afro-queer DJs, returns to the Lost Horizon at 10 pm for a night of queer joy and bass-heavy brilliance. This celebration of collective power, release, and resistance will see electrifying live performances from three genre-spanning DJs.

Meanwhile, Grrrl Crush are back for their fourth year at Brizzle Pride with some very special live performances and guests DJs. Not only is there a live headline performance set from Scottish Gabber Punk, but also Mollie Rush. Head to Basement 45 at 10 pm on 12th July. Entry tickets to both parties cost GBP 12 and upwards.

Queenshilling

The Clayton Hotel Bristol is the official stay partner for the city’s 2025 Pride celebrations. It’s tucked on Broad Street, right on the parade route, making it perfect for staying during the pride celebrations. We had the choice of multiple rooms and suites, all of which featured free Wi-Fi, electric kettles, TVs, and modern bathrooms. The onsite restaurant and bar served up delicious European cuisine, as well as a fantastic breakfast (including in-room ones) and packed lunches. If that wasn’t enough, they even have a fitness center and an outdoor seating area where you can sit and bask in the city’s Pride air.

If you’re on a budget, then look no further than YHA Bristol. Not only is it one of Bristol’s top gay-friendly hotels, but also it sits in the city’s Harborside neighborhood on the River Avon, right across from the Lloyds Amphitheater! The ground-floor Grain House café is perfect to mingle with fellow Pride goers and dig into a delicious (paid) breakfast. Plus, there’s free Wi-Fi too, so you can decide what to do the next day for Pride celebrations. Rooms might be bare-boned but they’re spick and span with comfy beds and spotless shared bathrooms.

Bask in luxury at The Berkeley Square Hotel, a heritage-boutique hotel that’s perfectly located for both the city center and Clifton, where Pride Day is celebrated at The Downs. It sits right on one of the city’s loveliest 18th-century Georgian Squares, but on the inside, it’s all about pops of color, zany furniture, and even kitschy trinkets and design items. The garden is especially lovely for enjoying a wonderful breakfast from the restaurant or a drink from the bar. Finally, the refurbished rooms were lovely, with thoughtful complimentary touches such as a cafetière, a fruit bowl, and a decanter of Bristol Cream Sherry.

What makes Number 38 Clifton so great is that not only was it one of the most romantic gay-friendly hotels we’d seen in the city, but also it sat right next to Durdham Downs, where the city’s Pride celebrations were taking place! This lovely, former Georgian merchant’s house boasted 180-degree views of both the Downs and the city of Bristol and featured gorgeous decor. Think maritime paintings, modern and period furnishings. comfy lounging spaces, and even a sun terrace. Besides onsite tea and drinks, there’s also breakfasts in bed, room service from nearby restaurants, in-room spa treatments, and glamorous loft rooms with thoughtful touches for a luxurious stay.

Brooks Guesthouse Bristol

Brooks Guesthouse Bristol sits in the heart of Old City, just a stone’s throw from Castle Park. It’s one of the most avant-garde stays in the city, which is just as well because that’s what Pride is all about! Think urban rooftop glamping atop a converted office building – yes! The small but stunning rooms featured soft beds, TVs, tea/coffee-making trays, and – the standout – a ‘Rockets’ set on the rooftop, but with all mod-cons. We loved hanging out with fellow Pridegoers in the breakfast room and the open-plan courtyard lounge, where we’d enjoy hearty complimentary breakfast spreads everyday. That’s why it’s one of the best hotels in Bristol, England.

“Our doggies had a fantastic time at the Brizzle Pride celebrations! It was a great way to meet fellow LGBTQ+ pet paw-rents.”

WOW Travel

• – Food options are aplenty at this year’s Pride celebrations at the Downs. Moreover, there are five bars offering a range of drinks (gluten- and sugar-free options available), a dedicated cocktail bar next to the Community Tent, and free drinking water everywhere. Plus, all places are card-only. Water isn’t provided on the route between the Amphitheater and the Downs. However, Millenium Square (at the end of the parade) has a refill fountain. So, do carry an eco-friendly water bottle that you can refill. No glass is allowed onsite and you can’t bring your own alcohol.
• – There will be bag searches everywhere. If you do need to bring a bag, please ensure that it’s roughly the size of an A4 sheet.

Yes, but those who are 16 years or less need to be accompanied by an adult.

All Pride Day info, including stage times, is in the festival guide, which you can also download. Or, you can visit the Festival and Stages page to see all the information for the lineups.

Yes, Brizzle Pride is an all-ages event, and they even have a dedicated Family Area with play activities and special workshops for kids and LGBTQ+ families. While children less than 16 years must be accompanied by an adult, they don’t need wristbands.