Nottinghamshire Pride expected to be bigger and better than ever as it returns for 2024

Saturday, July 27, will see the return of Nottingham's official Pride celebration, Nottinghamshire Pride 2024, with organisers unveiling an exciting new location. To support the staggering numbers of attendees in recent years, with last year's event alone welcoming more than 10,000 people, this year's Pride event will include a brand-new march route, ending in the vibrant Sneinton Market area.

The festivities are set to span the whole market area, with the iconic Pride stage also located there, and many stall holders are expected to make the avenues their home for the day. The area of Hockley, known as the original home of Nottingham's official Pride celebrations, will also be coming alive on the day with a colourful street party.

Leigh Ellis, the chair at Nottinghamshire Pride, said: "Hockley will always be our home, and we're grateful to the residents and businesses in that area who have supported us every year by creating an inclusive and safe space for our community and its supporters to celebrate.

"It's incredible to see how much the event's popularity has grown year on year, but as a result, this year, we've made the decision to update the march's route, with a brand new end point in Sneinton Market. The new location will help immensely in ensuring we are able to keep all attendees safe while also improving accessibility and the experience for the younger members of the community who want to join in the celebrations on the day."

The extension to Nottinghamshire Pride is the most significant change since it began in its current format in 2014, with the new location marking a significant area for Nottingham's LGBTQ+ community. In 1986, the area and neighbouring Victoria Leisure Centre were sites of mass protest and activism following fierce opposition from some locals surrounding the decision for the leisure centre to offer 'gay-only swimming sessions' at the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

Leigh said: "It feels particularly poignant that Sneinton will be the location for the end of the march, considering the negativity that surrounded the area almost 40 years ago, a sentiment which sadly still parallels much of the negativity you still see today for the LGBTQ+ community across social media.

"Activism and advocacy have always been at the heart of Nottinghamshire Pride, so it felt fitting to bring the march to a location, which for many of Nottingham's LGBTQ+ community, serves as a reminder of our history, how far we've come, but also of the work that still needs to be done. This year, it's all about reclaiming that history during our biggest and best event yet."

Since its launch in 1997, Nottinghamshire Pride has been a solely non-profit event, relying on volunteers who give up their time by collecting donations, offering stewardship, event support and more. Nottinghamshire Pride is funded by the generous donations of businesses and locals each year.

The funds not only go towards the event but also help to support the ongoing work the charity does to support the community throughout the year. The 2024 sponsors and supporters so far include Sladen Estates, MPG, E.ON, Boots, East Midlands Airport, Rolls Royce and Cartwright Communications.

For more information, visit the website here.

For volunteer opportunities, email volunteer@nottinghamshirepride.co.uk