York Pride – thousands turn out for 2026 event in the city

It was a gathering of support for what organisers said was North Yorkshire’s largest LGBT+ celebration involving up to 20,000 people against a backdrop of rainbows and colour that filled the historic streets.

The Pride parade set off from St Sampson’s Square at 12pm and followed a route through the city centre to Knavesmire where there is a festival taking place throughout the afternoon and into the early evening.

The parade route was met by waving crowds along Bishopthorpe Road as a festival got underway in Knavesmire (Image: Kevin Glenton)

The streets began to fill around 11am and the pavements were packed with bystanders cheering, taking photos and waving flags passed to them by those taking part.

A red sightseeing bus led the procession across Ouse Bridge, followed on foot by members of the community, and joined by the mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith.

Parliament Street was decked out in rainbows ahead of the start of York Pride 2026 (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Francesco and Sam – who have been married for seven years – made it over in time for the start from Gilberdyke in East Yorkshire.

Sam said: “We’re really looking forward to it, it’s our first time.

“We’d like to give a shout out to the organisers of York Pride and the committee and to say that the protest element is very important at the same time.

“We just want to live our lives – love is love”

“We’re going to follow the route all the way to Knavesmire, we’re looking forward to seeing the drag acts.

“York Pride is a great chance for people to come and shine their light, or step into the light.”

Francesco said: “It’s especially important to be involved, in this political climate.”

Francesco and Sam from Gilberdyke, were at their first York Pride (Image: Kevin Glenton)

York Pride chair and managing director Greg Stephenson was in Parliament Street ahead of the 12pm start and said: “I’ve just come from the festival site and seeing it all come together, that’s where the magic happens.

“York is generally a very accepting city but there isn’t a lot of LGBT+ spaces, so having Pride as a focal point every year is so important.

“It’s important we keep going and more importantly, we keep it a free event, something we really want to do for the city and for our community.

“The parade will be amazing and there’s a Jane McDonald tribute act that I cannot wait to see when I get to Knavesmire.”

York Pride chair and managing director Greg Stephenson with mum Mandy at the Parliament Street start (Image: Kevin Glenton)

Mayor of York and North Yorkshire David Skaith said: “York Pride is always a fantastic celebration of the city and the community.

“It is a very welcoming, inclusive place to showcase Pride like this and to show off the city in this light.

“Too often we’re taught to divide and hate one another but actually, this is a celebration of that inclusivity, bringing people and communities together.”