Northampton Pride: Coming soon to Waterside!

It’s time to dust off your dancing shoes, Northampton Pride is coming to town – and will be hosted at the University of Northampton’s very own Waterside Campus.

This year’s event is set to be even bigger, better and bolder than previous years, with a whole host of celebrations and performances on offer throughout the day.

The event, which provides the fantastic opportunity to come together to celebrate and stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ communities, will take place from 11am to 6:30pm on Saturday 8 July, starting in Abington Street, Northampton, before finishing at Waterside Campus where there will be a full programme of entertainment and a range of community stalls and food vendors.

The Pride Parade will set off from Abington Street at 11am and arrive in the centre of the Waterside Campus at around 11:50am, when the event will be officially opened with a minute of noise.

Entertainment hosted on campus will include rainbow hula hoopers, stilt walkers, Burlesque dancers, Drag Queens and musical performances, with this year’s main stage being sponsored by Northampton Town Council.

A number of community groups will also be present on the day to provide information and support, including Q Space, Royal & Derngate Theatre, NLive, Northampton Hope Centre, QStory Northampton, Vendetta Vixens and Northampton General Hospital Trust Pride Network.

Students from the Hair, Make-Up and Prosthetics for Stage and Screen will also be on hand to provide a professional make-up touch for those performing on stage, as well as hosting a stand for those in need of a spruce throughout the day.

Co-Chair of the LGBT+ Staff Network, Annie Doughty said: “We’re all very excited for this year’s Pride Festival – even more so with the University hosting the celebrations on campus.

“The University of Northampton is a passionate advocate for equality and inclusion, and we’re all looking forward to seeing communities from across the county unite to stand in solidarity with our LGBTQ+ community.

“It’s a wonderful milestone and privilege to host the celebrations on campus for this year’s Northampton Pride. We look forward to seeing everyone there!”

Further details on Northampton Pride can be found on West Northants Council’s website.