Mr Gay GB & Mx Drag GB 2025
- August 15, 2025 - August 17, 2025
- Alnwick
Mr Gay GB & Mx Drag GB 2025 is scheduled to take over The Alnwick Garden in Northumberland from 15–17 August 2025. Over the years the contest has evolved from a nightclub beauty pageant into a sophisticated competition that values activism as much as glamour. Contestants are judged on fundraising ability, written exams on queer history and current affairs, public speaking, congeniality and a series of themed catwalks. The aim is to find a role model who will speak up for the UK’s lgbtq+Q+ community and represent Great Britain at Mr Gay Europe and Mr Gay World.
In 2024 the grand finale was held over the August bank holiday in the Duchess of Northumberland’s ornamental gardens. The runway was built between fountains and rosebeds, with stalls offering food, crafts and health information to create a mini pride. Titles were awarded not only for Mr Gay GB but also for Mx Drag GB, recognising drag artists of all genders. The schedule included live music, Q&A sessions and a national dress catwalk that celebrated British regional identities alongside vibrant outfits from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Throughout the weekend contestants mingled with visitors, fielded questions from judges and raised thousands of pounds for local charities.
For 2025 organisers have confirmed a media training workshop in Alnwick on 10–11 May 2025. The main event follows on 15‑17 August. Categories and catwalks will begin at 1 p.m. on the Sunday, and an adults-only after‑party will be held at Lilidorei from 6–9 p.m. Tickets for Gay Day 2025 also grant access to The Alnwick Garden’s family zones and stalls. Stuart Hatton Jr., CEO of Mr Gay Great Britain, has promised that the runways will be “bigger and better than ever,” and the event is expected to attract visitors from across the UK.
The contest is renowned for its rigorous judging. Finalists must run charity campaigns in the months before the final and sit a written exam on lgbtq+Q+ history and politics. There are separate catwalks for national costume, swimwear and formal wear, plus a congeniality award voted on by fellow contestants. Judges include previous winners, MPs, celebrities and even the Duchess of Northumberland. Winners gain access to speaking engagements at Pride events and even in Parliament. Many past champions have used their platforms to campaign for HIV awareness, mental health services and anti‑bullying initiatives.
Holding the finale at The Alnwick Garden gives the competition an almost storybook setting. The estate is famous for its cascading fountains, poison garden and walled rose gardens, and it sits a short drive from the market town of Alnwick. Travellers can reach the site via train to Alnmouth with a short taxi ride, or drive north on the A1 from Newcastle. Accessible paths make the venue suitable for guests with mobility needs, and there are family areas with craft stalls, children’s entertainers and picnic spots. Accommodation in Northumberland fills quickly in August, so it’s wise to book hotels or guesthouses early. Attendees can also take advantage of discounted rates at local hotels associated with the event.
Charity work is central to the pageant’s mission. The Mr Gay GB team partners with organisations such as the Charlie and Carter Foundation, which assists families caring for seriously ill children, and Pride Action North, which offers counselling and wellbeing services to lgbtq+Q+ people in the north of England. Finalists are required to raise funds and awareness for these causes as part of their scoring. In 2024 the combined efforts of contestants generated significant donations and media attention for both charities, and organisers hope to surpass those totals in 2025.
Beyond the competition, Gay Day is designed as an inclusive festival. Previous editions have featured live DJs, drag bingo, vendor markets and information booths for healthcare providers and community groups. Families relax on the lawns while toddlers dance to pop music, and teenagers get selfies with their favourite drag artists. Visitors from around Britain often comment on the sense of camaraderie; strangers chat in queues, swap stories over coffee and leave with new friends. The festival also offers quiet areas for anyone who needs a break from the crowd, and volunteer ambassadors are on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
If you’re considering competing, applications are available on the official website. Applicants must be at least sixteen and able to attend both the May workshop and the August finale. Those who aren’t interested in taking the stage can still support contestants by donating to their fundraising campaigns, volunteering, or simply showing up to cheer. Whether you’re a drag fan, an activist or just curious, the 2025 edition promises a weekend filled with fashion, community and pride.
Official Website
In 2024 the grand finale was held over the August bank holiday in the Duchess of Northumberland’s ornamental gardens. The runway was built between fountains and rosebeds, with stalls offering food, crafts and health information to create a mini pride. Titles were awarded not only for Mr Gay GB but also for Mx Drag GB, recognising drag artists of all genders. The schedule included live music, Q&A sessions and a national dress catwalk that celebrated British regional identities alongside vibrant outfits from Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Throughout the weekend contestants mingled with visitors, fielded questions from judges and raised thousands of pounds for local charities.
For 2025 organisers have confirmed a media training workshop in Alnwick on 10–11 May 2025. The main event follows on 15‑17 August. Categories and catwalks will begin at 1 p.m. on the Sunday, and an adults-only after‑party will be held at Lilidorei from 6–9 p.m. Tickets for Gay Day 2025 also grant access to The Alnwick Garden’s family zones and stalls. Stuart Hatton Jr., CEO of Mr Gay Great Britain, has promised that the runways will be “bigger and better than ever,” and the event is expected to attract visitors from across the UK.
The contest is renowned for its rigorous judging. Finalists must run charity campaigns in the months before the final and sit a written exam on lgbtq+Q+ history and politics. There are separate catwalks for national costume, swimwear and formal wear, plus a congeniality award voted on by fellow contestants. Judges include previous winners, MPs, celebrities and even the Duchess of Northumberland. Winners gain access to speaking engagements at Pride events and even in Parliament. Many past champions have used their platforms to campaign for HIV awareness, mental health services and anti‑bullying initiatives.
Holding the finale at The Alnwick Garden gives the competition an almost storybook setting. The estate is famous for its cascading fountains, poison garden and walled rose gardens, and it sits a short drive from the market town of Alnwick. Travellers can reach the site via train to Alnmouth with a short taxi ride, or drive north on the A1 from Newcastle. Accessible paths make the venue suitable for guests with mobility needs, and there are family areas with craft stalls, children’s entertainers and picnic spots. Accommodation in Northumberland fills quickly in August, so it’s wise to book hotels or guesthouses early. Attendees can also take advantage of discounted rates at local hotels associated with the event.
Charity work is central to the pageant’s mission. The Mr Gay GB team partners with organisations such as the Charlie and Carter Foundation, which assists families caring for seriously ill children, and Pride Action North, which offers counselling and wellbeing services to lgbtq+Q+ people in the north of England. Finalists are required to raise funds and awareness for these causes as part of their scoring. In 2024 the combined efforts of contestants generated significant donations and media attention for both charities, and organisers hope to surpass those totals in 2025.
Beyond the competition, Gay Day is designed as an inclusive festival. Previous editions have featured live DJs, drag bingo, vendor markets and information booths for healthcare providers and community groups. Families relax on the lawns while toddlers dance to pop music, and teenagers get selfies with their favourite drag artists. Visitors from around Britain often comment on the sense of camaraderie; strangers chat in queues, swap stories over coffee and leave with new friends. The festival also offers quiet areas for anyone who needs a break from the crowd, and volunteer ambassadors are on hand to answer questions and provide assistance.
If you’re considering competing, applications are available on the official website. Applicants must be at least sixteen and able to attend both the May workshop and the August finale. Those who aren’t interested in taking the stage can still support contestants by donating to their fundraising campaigns, volunteering, or simply showing up to cheer. Whether you’re a drag fan, an activist or just curious, the 2025 edition promises a weekend filled with fashion, community and pride.
Official Website