Birmingham Pride

Birmingham Pride started in May 1997 in the Gay Village around Hurst Street, and Lawrence Barton, who went to that first one, has run it since 2009. It takes the late May bank holiday weekend. The parade is free: organizers say more than 75,000 people watch it. The weekend festival in the village is ticketed. In 2026 the parade left Victoria Square at noon on a new route, because of resurfacing on New Street, and ended in the village. Organizers had wanted Smithfield as a site but were quoted 27,000 pounds, so the festival stayed on Hurst Street.

Tickets are the live issue. Weekend tickets for 23 to 24 May 2026 cost 46.87 pounds, down from 73.70 in 2025, with Katy B, Sigala and Nadine Coyle headlining. In April Barton said he wanted the 30th anniversary in 2027 to be free. In August paid tickets went on sale anyway, from 29.51 pounds a day, which drew complaints. Organizers called free entry an aspiration and pointed to a free Friday community event and half-price low-income tickets. Organizers have announced 28 to 30 May 2027.