Scunthorpe’s largest free festival returns to the town centre for it’s 3rd year. 2025 saw 10,000 people throughout the day. Now …even with the moto “Pride is for Everyone” if it’s not your thing, you don’t see the need for it or don’t understand it, just know that you aren’t being forced to attend so there is no need for any hostile remarks or stupidity, just simply avoid town and let the people who do think it’s important and do need it, feel safe and supported.
This event is run by volunteers who fundraise all year round, not the council so before you start moaning your council tax being spent on it, it hasn’t so breathe! It wasn’t your pothole fund…don’t ask me where that is..
Scunthorpe Pride is an unmatched atmosphere to any other local event I’ve been to and that’s general feedback from visitors over the last 2 years also. With people from larger cities even choosing to visit the event. The event brings tourism to our little town centre, supporting local businesses from shops, cafes, hotels and bar and the small businesses, charities and organisations at the event. It provides a free festival experience with fun for all the family with many activities and lots going on.
When is Scunthorpe Pride?
Saturday 23rd August at Church Square
11:30am Parade (Town centre)
12pm-7pm Main event
What is the event?
Scunthorpe Pride festival is back for it’s 3rd year with a day that promotes diversity, acceptance and bringing the local community together. Providing a free and inclusive event for all. There will be a large main stage in Church Square, Licensed bar, Live music and entertainers, free activities, lots of food options and the popular Pride market.
The whole event is FREE, no tickets required. The main event will run from 12pm until 7pm at Church Square, with another on foot town centre parade assembling close to Natwest Bank on the High Stret before the gates open to the main event. Hundreds joined the parade through the town centre last year.
This year’s headline acts are Sonia and Phats & Small and we are also focused on shining a light on upcoming talent within our LGBTQ+ community and local community.
How far has this Pride come since the first one?
We started with nothing, no experience in organising a festival and very little money in the bank but we pulled it off. In 2023 we saw 3,000 visitors and in 2024 we saw a shocking 10,000 people through the gates. This year we were granted charity status as Scunthorpe Pride. We have never known how many people to expect with it being a non-ticketed event but we have always been so grateful to everyone that has shown up to support the event. It has shown that the local community can come together to show solidarity for progression and change.
What is happening at this year’s event?
This year we have a whole host of different artists performing with some returning favourites, we like to make sure there is a good mix of genres for all tastes and include local talent on the main stage. We’ve got plenty of drag, pop, punk and even some rap. This year is new territory for us as we have now taken the leap to move the event to a Saturday. This means more people can access the event via public transport and the footfall could potentially increase again. The pride market will be open for business with local charities, organisations and sellers. We have the food court with some new additions. The 20:21 Visual arts centre and Scunthorpe Central library are onboard again so they will be providing some great family friendly activities, games and crafts. We also hope to have a couple of fairground rides.
Who’s on the main stage line up?
Sonia Evans, known from the late 80’s early 90’s for “You’ll never stop me loving you” and coming 2nd in Eurovision representing the UK in 1993 with song “Better the devil you know”. Finishing the event will be a high energy set from Phats and Small, bringing all the 90s and 00s bangers. The event starts with family disco time with A OH K entertainments, Ken Lambert drag, Nate Ethan, Got to be Pop, Nora Divergent, BUZZKILL JOY, Dame Ida & Demi Jane, Smashby & DJ Ananymous.
Who are we and what do you do for the organisation?
The main Scunthorpe Pride board team is made up of volunteers. We look after all aspects of the event and even though the festival is just one day, it takes us a whole year to plan, from organising fundraisers, planning layout, sourcing acts and activities, booking equipment etc.
Leanne: “I’m responsible for creating the line up, running order and I do all of the social media, PR and promotion for the festival. I’ve been with the team since the beginning, and I’ve been running LGBTQ+ events on and off for a number of years. Our team works really hard, and we all work together so well, we have formed our own little chosen Pride family and that is how we are able to deliver this amazing event full of beautiful people.”
What does LGBTQ+ Pride do for the local area?
In a world with so much hate and misunderstanding, local pride events bring light and love and remind people how far we’ve come but how far there is still to go. They show people that it’s OK to be you and that people do care. We want to bring people together as a whole community with no exclusions. We are all human and we all deserve respect and kindness. Having pride in Scunthorpe is progress, for years our community have had nothing, it can be very lonely at times for our LGBTQ+ community and can feel like the whole world is against us and the only place to find other like-minded people would have been out of town in the bigger cities. Our event allows people to meet, make friends, build connections, feel safe and be happy being themselves right on their doorstep, without having to travel elsewhere. It brings tourism to our town and supports local businesses in the area, from the bars, shops and hotels to the pride market stall holders and beyond. A big misconception of Pride is that you can only attend if you’re part of the LGBTQ+ umbrella but that isn’t true, everyone is welcome, and allies are just as important.
Pride plans for the future
We plan to keep the event free, because we want it to be accessible to everyone. It has been difficult at times to find support and funds for the event but we aim to eventually be able to fund ourselves with profits made at the event. Any money made at the bar and on our merch is re-invested into the festival for the next year. We can’t say for certain what the future holds for Scunthorpe Pride but we do know if we keep expanding we will soon be looking for a new home, the possibility that we could outgrow Church Square could one day become a reality. It will be a shame in a sense as we love Church Square and the 20:21 Visual Arts centre have been our rock throughout. We know big name acts are important to some people so we will continue to try our best to raise enough funds to bring global talent to the town but our main focus will always be supporting local, whether that’s bands, performers or small businesses and other charities. Scunthorpe Pride’s amazing atmosphere is mentioned a lot in feedback we receive, and we just want to keep bringing those vibes to our town.
If you wish to speak to one of our volunteers, please email team@scunthorpepride.co.uk
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