Blackburn prepares to celebrate love, diversity and inclusion at annual Pride Festival

Blackburn is set to shine with colour and unity as the town gears up for its annual Pride Festival, returning on Saturday 21 June.

A staple in the borough’s cultural calendar, Blackburn Pride Festival 2025 promises a vibrant day of celebration honouring the LGBTQIA+ community’s history, resilience, and progress.

With a dynamic mix of live music, drag performances, family-friendly activities, arts and crafts, community stalls, and a lively parade, this year’s event is expected to be bigger and brighter than ever before.

In a slight change from previous years, the Pride Parade will begin at Cathedral Square at 12 noon, offering a new backdrop to the colourful procession. The route will lead through the heart of town and end outside the Town Hall, where the main stage will host a full afternoon of entertainment until 6pm.

This year’s headline acts bring a blend of glamour, energy, and crowd-pleasing talent, including:

• Donna Marie 
• SMASHBY
• Bailey J Mills
• Violet Blonde
• Barb

Local vocalists Phil Norcross and Jason Kenny will also be performing.

More than just a celebration, Blackburn Pride serves as a platform for inclusion, representation and advocacy. It’s a chance for people of all backgrounds, identities and ages to stand together in support of equality.

The event is organised by the Blackburn Pride Committee, supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

Councillor Julie Gunn, Deputy Leader of the Council and founding member of the Blackburn Pride Committee, said:

I am immensely proud of the town and the sense of community that this event brings year after year. We are excited to see the entertainment, parade and the stalls. We have always wanted to celebrate the diversity of our town and the stallholders and sponsors’ support for diversity is so great to see.

It is lovely to see how Pride continues to grow in Blackburn.

Councillor Jim Shorrock, Chair of the Blackburn Pride committee and a former Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen and Chair of the Blackburn Pride committee, said:

Pride is about visibility, resilience, and joy. This year, we’re especially proud to create a space where everyone can show up as their true selves, celebrate love in all its forms, and honour the progress we’ve made—while recognizing the work still ahead.

Support for this year’s event will really help in making this Pride the best one yet. If any local businesses or organisations would like to get involved as part of this event, or offer support through sponsorship, contact the team at blackburnpridecommittee@gmail.com.