RuPaul to make debut appearance at Brighton & Hove Pride 2026

RuPaul, the global drag icon and creator of RuPaul’s Drag Race, is set to make a landmark appearance at Brighton & Hove Pride 2026, marking his first-ever performance at the UK’s biggest Pride festival. The announcement was made on 6 February via Brighton Pride’s official Instagram, where RuPaul confirmed he will take to the main stage at Preston Park for an exclusive DJ set as part of the event’s 35th‑anniversary celebrations.

Scheduled to perform during the Icons slot on Saturday, 1 August, RuPaul’s appearance forms a key part of the Pride on the Park fundraiser, which raises money for local LGBTQ+ charities, community initiatives and cultural programmes. Brighton & Hove Pride has generated more than £1.5 million for such causes to date, underlining its status not only as a celebration but also as a major force for community support. 

This year’s theme, The Power of Love, pays tribute to the trailblazing activists of the Sussex Gay Liberation Front, who organised Brighton’s first “Gay Day” in 1972. The 2026 parade and wider programme aim to honour the courage of those early campaigners while celebrating the city’s evolution into one of Britain’s most vibrant centres of LGBTQ+ culture. 

RuPaul joins an already star-studded line-up announced for the milestone weekend, with RAYE headlining Saturday’s main stage and Diana Ross taking the headline slot on Sunday in a UK live‑show exclusive. Organisers have described the combination of RuPaul, RAYE and Ross as the opening notes of a “momentous” year of celebration. Further acts are expected to be announced in the coming months.

With its landmark anniversary, expanded programme and high-profile performers, Brighton & Hove Pride 2026 is set to be one of the festival’s most memorable editions yet. Organisers anticipate significant demand for tickets, with pre‑sale sign‑ups already open via the official Pride website.