The Pride in London festivities are moving to a new date.
Ever a highlight of London’s summer plans, the huge Pride in London Parade was sadly cancelled last year, owing to public health concerns over holding the event in the midst of a pandemic. However, with the vaccination total rising daily and a roadmap out of lockdown unveiled, things are looking rosier for the Pride 2021 celebrations – and today, Pride in London has confirmed the date for this year’s festivities, with the nation’s biggest LGBT+ celebration taking place over the weekend of September 11 & 12.
Step 4 of easing restrictions would allow large-scale events to take place, and with the 2019 parade drawing over a million people, it’s at the very top end of “large-scale”. Since this step won’t begin until June 21 at the earliest, moving the Pride in London celebrations from its usual timeframe across late June and early July gives them more scope to deliver the joyful festivities we’re accustomed to.
Although the date has been confirmed, the exact form the celebrations will take is yet to be decided. Co-chairs of Pride in London, Michael Salter-Church and Alison Camps, revealed in a statement that “we’re working closely with the Mayor’s office, Westminster City Council and other key bodies in London to finalise what our plans will look like.” Further details about the event, including the format, participation, and volunteering opportunities, will follow in the coming months – in the meantime, Pride in London invites LGBT+ communities and allies to share their ideas and wishes in this short survey.
Pride in London confirmed that they’ll be marking the traditional summer anniversary of Pride with an appropriate celebration, and we’re hoping that September’s celebrations are as close to normal as possible. Having marched in the Pride in London Parade in 2019, I can tell you it’s one of the most joyous, life-affirming things you can do in the capital, so we’ll be overjoyed to see the parade dancing its way through the streets of Central London when it’s safe to do so.
You can find out more about Pride in London’s work and this year’s celebrations here.