Crowds gather for this year's Belfast Pride
Crowds gather for this year's Belfast Pride
Hayley Halpin; Nalina Eggert - BBC News NI Sat, July 25, 2026 at 12:49 PM UTC
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The Belfast Pride parade pictured in 2023
The Belfast Pride parade is making its way through the city's streets.
Now in its 35th year, the 10-day festival began last Friday with a programme of cultural events, nights out and discussions.
The theme this year is Love in Every Colour, which the festival says "recognises the courage of those individuals who came before us and the rising voices of those today who work tirelessly to protect our future and our beautiful community".
The Pride parade departed from Custom House Square at 13:00 BST and will finish at Victoria Street at about 16:00.
Lynn Millar, co-chairperson of Belfast Pride, said around 8,000 people were taking part in this year's parade.
She added that in total, over 80,000 people including spectators attended the event last year, and she would be "really happy" if the same number attended on Saturday.
Lynn Millar has been involved with Belfast Pride for eight years
Millar said the event had evolved over the years.
"From when we first started, people's true identities and true sexuality have come out and it's not just gay men and gay women, we have a lot of other people within this community, and so we wanted to celebrate all of them," she said.
She said Northern Ireland and Belfast especially had become a "very multicultural city, and it's lovely to celebrate that as well".
The parade will make its way along High Street, Bridge Street, Waring Street, Donegall Street, Royal Avenue, Donegall Place, Donegall Square North, Chichester Street, Victoria Street and Anne Street.
One thing is different about this year's festival: there are no corporate sponsors.
A Belfast Pride spokesperson said said the festival has received public funding and also in-kind support (non-monetary) from partners and venues.
This means onlookers will still see business names in the programme, on promotional materials and on stage at Custom House Square, but this year the only financial support will come from the public funders.
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On the decision not to accept corporate sponsorship, a spokesperson said "as with any support received, Belfast Pride has sought to ensure that partnerships align with the delivery of the festival and its charitable and community objectives".
Why are people taking part?
Nazir Uddin said Pride was a "protest for freedom"
Nazir Uddin, who is from Bangladesh, is taking part in the parade for the first time.
Uddin said the event was "not just a celebration, it's a protest for freedom, to be who I am without any fear".
"The protest will continue until people in every corner in the world can express their sexuality safely and proudly."
Friends Stephanie and Erica said the event was for "everyone"
Erica Blake is taking part in the parade with the ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement, with the aim of raising awareness and giving visibility to the gay and transgender community.
"There are people who don't feel safe about being open about their sexuality.
"The more people there are, the more supported people feel."
Stephanie added that taking part in the parade "promotes diversity and inclusivity".
As part of the Belfast Pride festival, an event is being held in Custom House Square from midday with local LGBTQIA+ performers and entertainment taking to the stage.
Donegall Quay will be home to the Belfast Pride village, which will have a range of stalls hosted by community groups, a family fun area, live children's entertainment, a picnic area and an alcohol, smoke and vape-free zone.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) is encouraging everyone attending the event to do so safely.
It is advising road users that there will be traffic restrictions in the city centre for a number of hours.
People are being asked to plan their journeys in advance and, if travelling to the event, to park legally and not to obstruct access to any residential or business properties.
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Source: “AOL Breaking”
