See details on the Sugababes, The Parade, entertainment at The Oval Bandstand and Late Night events

From small beginnings, Margate Pride is blossoming into a nationally known must-attend fabulous queer grassroots pride, building an international reputation as the welcoming, alternative Pride to be at.

Now in its 7th year, Margate Pride has doubled in size each year, presenting an authentic, arts and culture based festival for the whole community to get involved in.

Pride March along the seafront – 13th August

This year Margate Pride is hosting the parade once more along the Margate seafront on Saturday 13th August at 4pm.

Organisers say: “Margate Pride seeks to advance equality and justice for LGBTQIA+ people in all communities across Margate and beyond. We represent many intersections and want to give a platform to them by inviting community groups and charities to the parade.

“As part of our environmental commitment, we are organising a no-float parade*. Vehicles are not needed to show our commitment to LGBTQIA+ rights and share the love!

“We also want to connect more to Pride’s roots as a protest march. While there are still inequalities in the world for LGBTQIA+ people, this is an opportunity to show solidarity.”

*This does not apply to those with mobility issues of course.

Oval Bandstand entertainment and rally before the parade - 13th August

From 11am, the Oval Bandstand hosts performances and speeches from local queer artists and allies, including family storytime with drag queen Dame Jame, Boogie bounce dance class with Kanndiss Riley, The Neptunes Choir, Drag Energy workshops with JazBazMaz, Mx Margate performance with huge celebrity judges, then the Social Singing Choir perform.

All before the not-to-miss rally is internationally-respected campaigner for LGBTQIA+ rights and founder of LGBT+ History month Sue Sanders, Ronnie from African Rainbow Family, Max from Not A Phase and Rob Yates deputy mayor of Margate.

The bandstand will have a BSL interpreter and also Mobiloo - an attended mobile toilet service with hoist meaning anyone can attend.

Pride will then move from the bandstand and the surrounding grass to start the parade which will leave at 4pm and move along the seafront towards town, ending at the clocktower, where we recommend you check out the many events happening all over town to celebrate pride.

After parties into the night…

Sundowners will have their terrace open all day, full of wonderful drag and the best sea views in town.

The Sundeck has incredible queer disco DJs playing all day til 9pm.

Dreamland have a days queer programming including Nimmo and Sugababes playing at sunset.

After the sunsets the party keeps on going, with locations all across town hosting Pride events. Cockles and Muscles at Margate Arts Club is a pride fundraiser with DJs including GalPals, Tolu (Honey Revlon), Lanta, Dorris, Jonjo Jury, Oli Keens. And the after-after-party at the Lido Cliff Bar has KDA and Queer House Party playing til 4am.