300,000 Celebrate Brighton Pride's 35th Anniversary

Three hundred thousand people filled the streets of Brighton this weekend to celebrate three and a half decades of Pride, making it the largest LGBTQ+ celebration in the United Kingdom.

The seaside city marked the 35th anniversary of its Pride parade with a star-studded lineup including Diana Ross, Raye, and RuPaul across two days of music and community celebration. The festival also honored the small group of brave activists who organized Brighton's very first Pride march back in 1973.

That first march looked nothing like today's joyous gathering. Organized by the Sussex Gay Liberation Front, only a handful of community members felt safe enough to participate openly. Pride didn't return to Brighton again until 1991, nearly two decades later.

This year's theme, "The Power of Love," took on special meaning after a tragic attack at Berlin Pride just one week earlier left one person dead and 29 injured. Brighton marchers carried signs reading "We stand with Berlin" as armed police provided security throughout the event.

Managing director Paul Kemp, who has led Brighton Pride since 2013, said the community refuses to be silenced. "We are coming out, and we are not going away," he told crowds before the parade began its route from Hove Lawns through the city center to Preston Park.

The Ripple Effect

Brighton Pride has become an economic powerhouse for the coastal city while staying true to its roots of community support. The event has raised more than £1.4 million for LGBTQ+ causes over the years, funding vital services and advocacy work across the region.

Local businesses see a significant boost during Pride weekend, with an estimated 450,000 people descending on Brighton citywide for celebrations. The two-day Pride in the Park festival alone draws massive crowds for headline performances and community gatherings.

The timing of this year's celebration feels particularly meaningful to organizers and attendees alike. As some worry about LGBTQ+ rights being rolled back in various places, Brighton's massive turnout sends a powerful message about visibility, community strength, and refusing to go backward.

From a small, brave group in 1973 to hundreds of thousands celebrating openly in 2026, Brighton Pride shows how far the community has come while honoring those who made it possible.