A host of free entertainment, including performances by A1, Sam Bailey and Stooshe, will mark 10 years of pride in the North East this weekend.
Newcastle Pride, sponsored by business improvement district company NE1, is now one of the largest, free LGBT festivals in the UK.
And the popular event, which features three days of live music and activities celebrating Pride worldwide, will return to the city from Friday, 21 July to Sunday, 23 July.
This includes a parade from the Civic Centre to the Town Moor at noon on Saturday (22 July), celebrating this year’s theme: Pride in our past, present and future.
This will be followed by Manchester Airport Main Stage performances at the Town Moor by a host of stars, including Tell It To My Heart singer Kelly Llorenna and songstress Angie Brown, with chart toppers A1 and winner of The X Factor 2013, Sam Bailey, headlining the event on Saturday and Sunday respectively.
There will also be a host of additional activities and themed entertainment zones in operation throughout the weekend, including the Eazy Street Cabaret Tent, the Powerhouse Dance Tent, the Tesco Bank Family Zone and the Steve Paske Heath Zone, sponsored by Arnold Clarke and Northumbria Water, which will run alongside a fun fair and number of market stalls in the Matfen Hall Rainbow Village.
A variety of refreshment areas will also be available across the site, manned by experts at Ramside Catering.
Newcastle Pride will end this year with the Co-operative Funeralcare candlelit vigil at the Civic Centre on Sunday, 23 July – offering visitors a chance to reflect on the fight for equality and the ongoing LGBT struggle for some worldwide.
Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride, which organises the annual event, said: “Newcastle Pride 2017 holds a particular significance as it marks 10 years of the festival being held in the city.
“We hope that record numbers from across the North East and wider UK will come together to mark this momentous occasion and to enjoy three days of live music and entertainment completely free of charge.”
The event itself is free to attend, however a number of Virgin Money Gold Circle and VIP tickets are available for those who want to guarantee prime viewing spots for the performances on July 22 and 23.
The Parade runs from the Civic Centre at noon on Saturday, with all participants being asked to arrive by 11.30am. Entertainment runs at the Town Moor from 12pm to 7.20pm on Saturday and from 1pm until 8.20pm on Sunday, with the Candlelit Vigil being held back at the Civic Centre at 9pm.
Further details on this year’s festival can be found at www.northern-pride.com or by downloading the free Northern Pride 2017 app on iOS or Android.