Preston Pride is on Saturday 26 September 2026, and the organisers have now published the running order. There is a parade this year, leaving at 10:30 from outside the Fishergate Shopping Centre, and the Flag Market opens at 11:00. Entry is free and the day is not ticketed.
Disability Equality leads the parade. A British Sign Language interpreter will be on stage for all the speeches and, the organisers say, for most of the performances. The parade route and the Flag Market both have level access, but the organisers warn about uneven surfaces and roadworks along the way. The Harris Museum on the square is the quiet space for the day, with quiet rooms, sensory packs, accessible toilets and a Changing Places facility. The Argento Lounge nearby has seating and refreshments.
The roadworks are the practical change from previous years. They have taken space out of the Flag Market, so there are fewer stalls than usual and the organisers are publishing the list separately. The square itself is alcohol free and family friendly during the day; the 18+ part of the programme happens in the evening at sponsor venues around the city.
The stage line-up is hosted by Gypsy Darling and opens with Singitbig. Sasha Roper dances in several Indian styles, Ian Beattie performs The Freddie and Queen Experience, and Paula Randell does the Cher set. The last slot goes to the winner of Preston Pride's Got Talent, which is decided at The Ferret on Sunday 20 September at 15:00, so the bill is not complete until the weekend before.
On 17 September the organisers said that no political party will take part this year. They point to the UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definition of sex and the Equality and Human Rights Commission guidance that followed it, and say that without a clear position against it from national party leaderships they cannot be confident that trans people at the event would feel safe with party representation on the square. Their statement calls the decision one "rooted in care, solidarity, and our commitment to protecting our trans siblings".
The United Kingdom scores 43.9 out of 100 on ILGA-Europe's Rainbow Index, which is low for western Europe: Germany is on 69.54 and Portugal on 66.99. Our United Kingdom country page sets out where the law currently stands.
Two other Prides are on the same day within driving distance: Cumbria Pride in Carlisle, 127 km north, and Shrewsbury Pride, 117 km south. Worcester City Pride follows on 10 October.