Brighton and Hove Pride announce its first wave of artists for the 35th anniversary of Pride on the Park. The two-day fundraiser will take place at Preston Park on Saturday August 1st and Sunday August 2nd, 2026.
This year’s celebration feels deeper, more urgent and more joyful. This community has rallied in the face of challenges which is why visibility feels more powerful than ever. The return of familiar faces and a new generation finding their voices makes this year’s pride not only a celebration but a statement.
Saturday August 1st
On Saturday August 1st, Brighton will be welcoming the icon and Mother RuPaul, making it one of the few times a drag icon will perform at a UK major pride event. Helping take drag from niche to global television, this stars presence signals how far representation has moved from margins to centre stage. Jessie J, multi-platinum pop artist and vocal athlete will also be making an appearance, bringing back old bangers we all love such as ‘Price tag’ and ‘Bang Bang’.
This first day is set to kick off in unforgettable style, bringing together bold voices, big anthems and dancefloor energy to celebrate love, identity and community. This year’s line-up promises a vibrant mix of pop power and euphoric beats to open the festivities.
The genre-blending pop artist Self Esteem will be delivering hits like “I Do This All the Time” and “You Forever.” With her bold, emotionally honest genre and commanding stage presence, she brings a raw, empowering energy that’ll perfectly capture the spirit of this festival.
Adding to the celebration, Purple Disco Machine will keep the momentum soaring with his signature disco-infused house sound. With feel-good grooves and infectious rhythms, the international DJ and producer is set to turn the Pride stage into an unreduced dancefloor.
Sunday August 2nd
On Sunday August 2nd, the timeless legend and enduring global icon Diana Ross will hit the stage representing a perfect narrative of past and present in the music industry. Her glamour, resilience and theatricality align with the aesthetics and emotional storytelling central to the LGBTQ+ community.
More excitement follows with the pop group Five reuniting on stage following their recent tour, bringing back to life their top hits including ‘Slam Dunk (Da funk)’ and ‘Everybody get up’ after 25 years apart.
On the dance arena you’ll hear Grammy-winning disco wizard Purple Disco Machine as well as the DJ with obvious versatility, Armand Van Helsing creator of banging club anthems such as ‘My My My’ and ‘You Don’t Know Me’ that will take to the decks to transport festivalgoers into a psychedelic experience.
Celebrating 35 Years of Pride
This year’s Pride will be celebrating its 35th anniversary! This adored celebration will bring more joy through The Power of Love.
Starting in 1973 with a gay dance and picnic organized by the Sussex Gay Liberation Front now creates a beautiful community bound in harmony, protest and celebration. This event has grown immensely since then, introducing dancing and music more than ever as well as striving for equality.
These two days are made to remind us of the years of fighting enabling us to get where we are today, move forward and strive for greatness.
A Celebration of Queer Culture
The festival will be filled with disco era vibes, an architect of mainstream queer visibility and new generation artists reshaping the industry power all of it making a statement about where queer culture has been, where it is and where it’s going.
Social Impact
Pride has raised over £1.5million for local good causes through the Pride Social Impact Fund, Pride Cultural Development Fund and Pride Solidarity Fund. The Pride Social Impact Fund benefits local causes giving grants to a range of local groups.
