Pride Classical 2026
- June 7, 2025
- Huddersfield, England
In 2025 the celebrated Pride Classical concert is leaving the Mersey and heading up to West Yorkshire for a special one‑night engagement. After a run of sold‑out shows in Liverpool, the orchestra and its production team are teaming up with Kirklees Pride weekend for a Saturday evening spectacular at Huddersfield Town Hall. This move north marks the next chapter for an event that only debuted in 2023 but has already become one of the most talked‑about additions to the summer Pride calendar. If you missed the previous editions by LCR Pride in Liverpool, this is your chance to experience the energy of a live orchestra re‑interpreting pop classics in a Pride context.
Pride Classical Huddersfield takes place on Saturday, June 7 2025 at 7:30 PM as part of Kirklees Pride. Tickets start at around £25 and provide entry to Huddersfield Town Hall, a grand civic building in the heart of the town. This Victorian hall has hosted concerts for over a century and will be transformed into a late‑night dance hall with lighting rigs, drapes and laser effects. Doors open early in the evening to give time for security checks and to let the hall fill. There is unreserved seating and plenty of space for those who prefer to dance. Food can be ordered in advance with your ticket or on the night to keep you fuelled. The organisers promise that this won’t be a stuffy classical concert but an inclusive party with a start and a finish time so you can plan the rest of your weekend.
At the centre of the night is the Paradox Orchestra, an ensemble known for its genre‑bending arrangements. Instead of adhering to strict classical repertoire, the conductor leads the musicians through disco, pop, house and soul. A gospel choir lifts the chorus of Lady Gaga’s “Born This Way” before Donna Summer’s “I Feel Love” slips into a symphonic interlude, only to be joined by a thumping kick drum or a riff from an electric guitar. Between high‑gloss classical and the raw energy of queer club culture is what gives the show its character. Host drag artists converse with the audience, coaxing everyone to sing along and celebrate the stories behind the songs. The atmosphere is closer to a party than a formal concert; by the second number, most of the crowd are on their feet dancing.
While the orchestral reinterpretation is the headline act, the evening sits within a larger day of celebrations. Kirklees Pride 2025 kicks off earlier in the afternoon on Queen Street and King Street in Huddersfield’s town centre. That free event includes street theatre, community choirs, food stalls and an outdoor stage headlined by indie pop band The Hoosiers, 90s dance singer Luhzanne from Livin’ Joy and local performers. Drag queens Kiki Horsefield and Mazikeen keep the energy high between acts, and there is a silent disco, face painting and a Pride market with over forty stallholders. As the sun goes down, the festivities move indoors for Pride Classical. Booking tickets for the evening concert helps support Kirklees Pride by covering costs and ensuring the daytime events remain free to attend.
Huddersfield might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of Pride celebrations, but the town has a rich musical heritage and a friendly queer community. The Grade II listed Town Hall stands at the corner of Ramsden Street and Corporation Street; inside, the concert hall has a soaring proscenium arch and a historic pipe organ. Just a short walk away are cosy pubs, craft beer bars and cafes lining the Victorian arcades. For those looking to make a weekend of it, there’s plenty to explore: take a stroll along the canal, ride the heritage steam train at the Kirklees Light Railway, or hike up Castle Hill for a panorama over the Pennines. Public transport is straightforward – the hall is within walking distance of the bus and train stations – and there are accessible facilities, including disabled parking and hearing loop systems.
If you’re travelling from further afield, consider booking accommodation in advance as the event coincides with university graduations and weddings. Several boutique hotels and guest houses cluster around St George’s Square and the train station. The event’s relaxed re‑entry policy means you can drop your bag at your hotel during the interval if you decide to dance without carrying anything. The organisers encourage attendees to express themselves through fashion and to bring flags and outfits that celebrate their identities, but they also remind everyone to respect the venue’s security policies and avoid bringing prohibited items. Since this is a fundraiser for future Pride events, merchandise stalls selling T‑shirts and accessories will be on‑site; bring a little extra cash if you’d like to support.
What makes Pride Classical special is how it brings together people of different ages and backgrounds. It’s not often you see teenagers singing along with pensioners to 1980s synth‑pop, but the mix of orchestral musicians with drag hosts and pop vocalists creates a bridge across generations. The songs will be familiar to many – from Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” to Fleetwood Mac’s anthems – but they’re presented in a fresh setting that encourages participation. Between songs, the performers share stories about lgbtq+Q+ history and the resilience of the community. In a year when many Pride marches are facing funding challenges, this event is a reminder of how live music can galvanise support.
By the end of the night, confetti will be falling from the balcony, and the hall will reverberate with applause. Whether you come for the orchestra, the dance floor, the drag performances or simply to be part of something uplifting, Pride Classical 2025 at Huddersfield Town Hall is shaping up to be a highlight of the summer. Grab your ticket, plan your outfit and get ready to sing your heart out. The combination of a world‑class concert, a welcoming community and the charm of a Yorkshire town makes this event more than just another gig; it’s a statement that Pride belongs everywhere.
Official Website: https://woveninkirklees.co.uk/event/pride-classical-with-paradox-orchestra/