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Tens of thousands of party revellers have set upon central Birmingham city centre for this year’s annual Pride event this Spring Bank Holiday weekend, as organisers announced record-breaking tickets sales for the UK’s biggest two-day LGBTQ+ festival.

Birmingham Pride 2018 has begun! And fuck, are people excited! Today (Saturday 26 May) started off the weekend-long shenanigans with a carnival parade through the city centre.

The parade – which set off from Victoria Square at noon – this year adopted the theme of ‘Be You’, as over 130 different organisations took part.

The Pride festival is taking place in Birmingham’s vibrant, and currently jam packed, Gay Village; and is featuring headline artists on the HSBC UK Main Stage, including Rudimental, Jake Shears from the Scissor Sisters, Beth Ditto, Stefflon Don, Gorgon City, plus retro acts like Howard Jones and Louise.

There is also be a very special performance from the London cast of ‘Kinky Boots: The Musical‘, ahead of their run at Birmingham Hippodrome next year.

Staff Reporter | I Am Birmingham
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street at Birmingham Pride 2018
Friends celebrate Birmingham Pride 2018 with their dogJoshua Williams / I Am Birmingham
Friends celebrate Birmingham Pride 2018 with their dog

Pride Festival Director Lawrence Barton commented:

“The entire Birmingham Pride team are absolutely buzzing about this year’s festival. It’s incredible to have achieved record ticket sales for an event that’s set to attract tens of thousands of people. We’ve got a fantastic diverse line-up this year so we’re certain it’s going to be an amazing weekend!”

A giant rainbow flag at the parade launching Birmingham Pride 2018Harvey McDonald | I Am Birmingham
A giant rainbow flag at the parade launching Birmingham Pride 2018
Birmingham Pride 2018 attendeesLensi Photography / I Am Birmingham
Birmingham Pride 2018 attendees
Drag artist Queeny at Birmingham Pride 2018Joshua Williams
Drag artist Queeny at Birmingham Pride 2018
The festival, which takes place on both Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May, last year attracted over 50,000 party-loving revellers. This year, it features a dance arena, cabaret marquee, the future stage, women’s area, funfair and stalls; in addition to a new Street Food court.
Revellers enjoying music at the Main Stage at Birmingham Pride 2018Lensi Photography / I Am Birmingham
Revellers enjoying music at the Main Stage at Birmingham Pride 2018
Musician Kelli-Leigh at Birmingham Pride 2018Lensi Photography / I Am Birmingham
Musician Kelli-Leigh at Birmingham Pride 2018

Various different sections of LGBTQ+ communities have come together to show a spectrum of diversity across race, religion, gender, and even within sexuality. Groups such as UnMuted, who raise the voices of LGBTQ+ people of colour in Brum, have marched alongside members of the police force, the fire service and even with paramedics, ambulance drivers and members of the NHS.
Birmingham Pride takes place on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 May, during the Bank Holiday weekend. Tickets are still available here.
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