Margate Pride to celebrate 10th anniversary with expanded programme

Margate Pride is marking its 10th anniversary this summer with a full day of celebrations and a month‑long arts and culture festival, organisers have announced.

Pride Day will take place on Saturday, 8 August, beginning at 10am at Walpole Bay Lawns with a Family Pride programme featuring storytime, community activities, choirs, stalls and rally speakers. At 1pm, participants will march along the seafront to Dreamland, where celebrations will continue from 2pm at the Scenic Stage.

The afternoon programme will include live performances, DJs, rally speakers, the annual Mx Margate pageant and the third Margate Youth Pride, alongside community stalls and official Pride merchandise. Organisers say the event is free and open to all, though attendees are encouraged to register in advance to help estimate numbers.

Margate Pride’s march will once again prioritise accessibility and inclusivity, with no floats or vehicles apart from those needed for safety or access. Marching blocs will feature community groups, charities, organisations and individuals, each bringing messages of protest, solidarity and celebration.

This year’s celebrations form part of the wider Margate Pride Festival, which launches on 31 July and runs throughout August. The arts‑led programme includes exhibitions, performances, workshops, film screenings and talks across the town, showcasing LGBTQ+ artists and creatives.

Festival highlights include the Margate Pride Art Map, featuring dozens of artists in venues across the town, a new Open Call Gallery Commission for an LGBTQ+ artist over 55, and performances by British singer‑songwriter Patrick Wolf. A short film marking 10 years of Margate Pride will premiere on Pride Day, alongside the annual Pride Eve event at the Turner Contemporary.

The festival also includes the ongoing Heritage Hotline project, an intergenerational initiative focused on training, archiving and celebrating Margate’s queer history, with legacy outcomes including a radio series, zine and community archive.

Organisers said the 10th anniversary was a moment to celebrate Margate’s strong sense of community and the continued support of local businesses, which traditionally display Pride flags across the town during August.

Margate Pride emphasised that it remains rooted in community rather than corporate sponsorship and encouraged individuals, groups and businesses to get involved through volunteering or other forms of support.

“Whether you are local or visiting, Margate Pride has something for everyone,” organisers said.