Our community-led organisation Pride in the Port has been chosen to host UK Pride 2026. Pride in the Port will be celebrating its fifth year championing the city of Newport’s LGBTQIA+ community when it hosts this historic event in September next year.
The honour of hosting UK Pride is awarded annually by the UK Pride Organisers Network to an organisation that has demonstrated commitment to advancing the UK Pride movement. This year’s announcement came at the start of LGBTQIA+ History Month in February, which honoured the theme of ‘activism and social change’.
A rich and diverse heritage
Pride in the Port was selected to bring UK Pride to Newport following submission of an ambitious bid. It highlighted the city’s rich art, music, and cultural heritage; ties with the Suffragette and Chartist movements; and commitment to remaining representative of the whole of the UK, with contributions from all four nations.
The organisation was founded in 2022 against the challenging backdrop of the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. It delivered a successful inaugural Pride at Belle Vue Park and has grown year after year in its city centre home.
Last September, Pride in the Port attracted around 6,000 people to Newport. with over 2,000 taking part in its parade. It featured live performances from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK competitor Tayce, Lady Bushra, Don One, and the fantastic Fenix, fronted by local artist Zoe Allen.
Carrying the torch
UK Pride 2026 is expected to attract attendees from across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland as well as Wales. The Chair of Pride in the Port, Andrew Mudd, says:
“We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing UK Pride to Newport in 2026. It’s a testament to all the hard work every one of our volunteers and supporters has undertaken to make Pride in the Port the standout annual event that it is.”
“There are over 180 volunteer-led pride events across the UK. We are honoured to receive this vote of confidence from our peers to carry the torch for the UK Pride movement in 2026.”
Pride is community
Our organisation was founded on one simple principle – that no child in Newport should feel they must leave home to be themselves. We can’t wait to get started on building an even bigger stage for Newport’s LGBTQIA+ community.
Pride in the Port is inviting community consultation until 30 June 2025. As our chair says, “Our movement is nothing without our community. We want this to be a Pride for the community and by the community. Get involved, have your say, and join us in making history!”
