The festival season in Brighton has welcomed a high-profile addition. Organisers of Brighton & Hove Pride have confirmed that socialite and performer Paris Hilton will appear as the Sunday Icon on the main stage at Pride On The Park on 2 August. This booking places Hilton among a roster of major performers and underlines the event’s continuing appeal as both a party and a platform for community visibility. Fans can expect a performance designed to connect with contemporary pop culture and the city’s long-running LGBTQIA+ celebration.
Announcements about headline acts earlier in the year named global stars RAYE and Diana Ross as leading performers across the festival weekend on 1–2 August. The organisers describe these artists as central to a programme that balances star power with a message of solidarity. Adding Paris Hilton to the Sunday slot rounds out what organisers hope will be a weekend of memorable performances and public celebration, bringing different generations and audiences together in Brighton’s open-air arena.
What to expect from the line-up
Beyond the headliners, the event will include other notable acts such as Jessie J, Self Esteem and the legendary drag figure RuPaul. The presence of these performers creates varied musical and cultural moments across the weekend. Organisers have framed the schedule to appeal to a broad spectrum of festival-goers, from pop fans to the queer scene. While the full line-up will be published later this week, attendees can anticipate a mix of established icons and contemporary chart artists, all contributing to the festival atmosphere in the city.
Anniversary theme and community focus
This year marks the 35th anniversary of Brighton & Hove Pride, and the chosen theme is The Power Of Love. That motif is intended to highlight unity, resilience and mutual support at a time when many in the LGBTQIA+ community face ongoing social and political challenges. The festival’s programming and messaging will emphasise both celebration and activism, reinforcing Pride as an event that combines entertainment with civic and cultural significance for the city and beyond.
Funds and local impact
Brighton & Hove Pride has a record of local investment, having raised over £1.5 million for grassroots causes through funds such as the Pride Social Impact Fund, the PrideCultural Development Fund and the Pride Solidarity Fund. The Pride Social Impact Fund in particular distributes grants to community organisations that support wellbeing, arts and essential services. These mechanisms ensure that ticket sales and event revenue return value to local projects, and that Pride remains connected to the needs of residents and activists in the area.
Practical details and how to keep up
Attendees and followers can check the official site at brighton-pride.org for updates and the imminent full line-up release. The weekend spans 1–2 August, with Paris Hilton confirmed for the Sunday performance on 2 August. Those planning to attend should monitor travel, ticketing and accessibility notices as the event approaches. The festival aims to be inclusive, with information on support services and safety available through the Pride channels and volunteer teams on site.
Supporting queer media and the DIVA charity
Longstanding queer media outlets continue to play a role in amplifying voices during Pride. DIVA magazine has spotlighted LGBTQIA+ women and gender diverse people for more than three decades and has recently become a registered charity under the DIVA Charitable Trust. Readers who value dedicated queer platforms can learn more about the magazine’s work and ways to support it at divacharitabletrust.com. Backing such outlets helps maintain visibility and resources for the community well beyond a single festival weekend.