Newport’s Pride in the Port will host UK Pride in 2026, celebrating LGBTQ+ culture and community in a vibrant city event.
Exciting news: Newport will host UK Pride in 2026. Pride in the Port, a community-led organization founded in 2022, will take charge. They aim to celebrate Newport’s LGBTQ+ community with this significant event.
The announcement comes as we kick off LGBTQ+ History Month. This February, the theme is ‘Activism and Social Change.’ Pride in the Port won the bid by showcasing Newport’s rich art, music, and cultural heritage.
Their proposal also highlighted connections to the Suffragette and Chartist movements. They want to represent the entire UK, including contributions from all four nations.
Pride in the Port started during the Covid-19 pandemic. They held a successful inaugural Pride at Belle Vue Park and have grown each year in the city center. Last September, they attracted around 6,000 people, with over 2,000 joining the parade.
The parade featured live performances from popular artists, including Tayce from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. In September 2026, UK Pride is expected to draw attendees from across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales.
Andrew Mudd, Chair of Pride in the Port, expressed excitement about bringing UK Pride to Newport. He praised the hard work of volunteers and supporters who made Pride in the Port a standout event.
He noted there are over 180 volunteer-led pride events in the UK. They feel honored to lead the UK Pride movement in 2026. The organization was founded on the principle that no child in Newport should feel they must leave home to be themselves.
Pride in the Port will invite community input from February 1 to June 30, 2025. Andrew emphasized the importance of community involvement in making this pride event special. He encouraged everyone to get involved and help make history together!
