The fourth edition of Shrewsbury Pride arrives on the weekend of 25-27 September 2026, bringing a fresh grassroots spirit and a colourful new “Dandy-Lion” emblem designed by local queer artist Robin Ravenscroft. Funded entirely by donations – including a successful GoFundMe campaign that has already raised over £1,000 – the event showcases the town’s determination to keep Pride alive despite funding pressures elsewhere in the UK. Organisers stress that the festival is as much about solidarity with all marginalised groups as it is about celebrating LGBTQ+ identity, especially in a climate where far-right rhetoric is on the rise.
Friday 25 September: workshops, karaoke and community buzz
The weekend kicks off on Friday with a series of creative workshops at English Bridge Studios on Abbey Foregate. Participants can join sessions that explore themes of reflection, loss and resilience, each using the six colours of the pride flag as a crafting palette. Alongside the workshops, the studio hosts the striking “Monumental Loss” installation, the product of community-led art classes held in the weeks before Pride. In the evening, the In Good Hands Music Café in Frankwell opens its doors for a relaxed gathering that mixes karaoke, tea and biscuits with informal conversations about identity and allyship.
Saturday 26 September: the heart of the celebration
Saturday is the headline day, beginning with the Shrewsbury Pride parade at 12:00 BST. The procession starts in the Town Square after a brief rally at 11:45 BST and winds through the historic centre, culminating in a performance by The People’s Show Choir in St Mary’s Churchyard. Directly after the march, the Shrewsbury Unitarian Church on High Street hosts a Pride blessing, inviting attendees to celebrate queer joy together.
Simultaneously, a vibrant queer art market runs from 10:00 to 16:00 at English Bridge Studios, featuring illustrations, ceramics, crochet and other handmade pieces created by LGBTQ+ artists. Nearby, the Unitarian Church also sets up charity stalls, information booths and merchandise stands, offering visitors a chance to support local causes while picking up Pride memorabilia.
Music lovers can head to LOOP on Castle Foregate for the “Pride Punk” series, which starts at midday and showcases acts such as Versaints, Hey Alamo, Square Wild and Woke Nonsense. At Albert’s Shed, a main stage comes alive from 15:00 until late, with legendary host Philli Mi Up presenting an eclectic mix of live performances, big personalities and high-energy Pride vibes. For those seeking a quieter tempo, In Good Hands offers a laid-back stage from 13:00 to 15:00, followed by a poetry open mic from 15:00 to 18:00, both curated by Lou Aphramor.
The night deepens with after-parties across the town. The Bricklayer’s Arms screens LGBTQIA+ films from 11:00 to 19:00 and then welcomes party-goers to a DJ set with Bobby P from 19:00 onward. OOP (Out of Place) hosts its own after-party starting at 21:00, while the Hive presents a Pride Cabaret at 19:00 featuring the Formidable Alter Egos and special guests, hosted by Carlos the Phoenix. Earlier, Tea and Biscuits runs a Camp Karaoke at In Good Hands at 19:00, adding a dash of communal singing to the evening.
Sunday 27 September: games, talks and a final burst of community spirit
The final day shifts to a more relaxed atmosphere. The Hive becomes a pop-up gaming hub from 11:00 to 17:00, organised by the Nerdy collective. Attendees can join Dungeons & Dragons sessions, explore board-game tables and sip the famous Nerdy milkshakes while browsing stalls offering food and drink. Shrewsbury Library contributes a literary corner, showcasing the “Rainbow Connection” collection and hosting author Poggy Murray Whitham for a talk on identity, allyship and inclusion, tied to their new title *Inclusion Moments*.
A family-friendly art activity led by local creator Rachel Evans runs from 10:00 to 13:00 in the library, inviting participants to paint portraits that reflect the community’s diversity. Throughout the day, the Unitarian Church continues to operate charity and information booths, reinforcing the inclusive message that threads through the whole festival. As the sun sets, the vibe remains celebratory, cementing Shrewsbury Pride 2026 as a keystone event for the town’s cultural calendar.
