Bath Pride welcomed its biggest turnout yet on Saturday 22 August, bringing protest, celebration and community spirit to the streets of Bath and Sydney Gardens.

The day began with a protest march from Kingston Parade, filling the city centre with colour and calls for equality. People from across the LGBTQIA+ community marched alongside local organisations including Bath Mind, National Trust, Bath Roller Derby, Trans Inclusion Bath, Bath Welcomes Refugees, Western Force CC, Luna Theatrics, Affirming Christians, and many more members of the wider Bath community.

Before setting off, marchers observed a minute’s silence for those affected by the terrible acts of violence in Berlin. Led by committee members in partnership with SARI (Stand Against Racism & Inequality), the silence created a moment to reflect on all those who have experienced violence and injustice.

This year’s theme, “Stand Up, Show Up”, placed particular focus on solidarity with trans and non-binary people. It served as a reminder that Pride remains a protest, and that when one part of the LGBTQIA+ community is under attack, the whole community must stand together.

Following the march, celebrations continued at Pride in the Park in Sydney Gardens. Two stages hosted a varied programme of performers, speakers and community entertainment throughout the afternoon and evening, while the expanded Traders’ Village brought together local LGBTQIA+ creatives, independent businesses, charities and local community organisations. The event also welcomed the Community Wellbeing Hub, which offered wellbeing classes and health checks and promoted healthy lifestyles to visitors. 

A small child at Bath Pride with various Pride flags

Visitors could also enjoy food from Son of a Bun and Kim’s Sweetness, alongside drinks served by The Cub and Bar Nova.

Bath Sound broadcast live from Sydney Gardens throughout the day, sharing interviews with Bath Pride’s stage compères, committee members, performers and guests alongside a soundtrack of Pride anthems. The full coverage can be heard again at Bath Sound on Mixcloud.

The event raised more than £700 through donations on the day. As Bath Pride is a free, grassroots event organised by a volunteer committee, this support will help the organisation continue creating an accessible Pride for Bath’s LGBTQIA+ community in future years.

As part of its financial transparency campaign, Bath Pride also displayed posters throughout Sydney Gardens showing some of the costs involved in delivering the event, including stage hire, licensing, toilets and other essential facilities. The dedicated fundraising pots for these costs remain open, allowing supporters to see where their money is going and contribute directly towards future Pride events.

Katie, Head Trustee at Bath Pride, said, “I'm incredibly proud of Pride Day 2026. It was a wonderful day, full of joy, kindness, and rainbows. The committee is bigger than it's ever been, and the day was our biggest yet! It's only our third year putting on Bath Pride, and it's remarkable that we've grown so quickly. I look forward to next year, hopefully with even more people involved, to see what we'll achieve next.”

The day drew to a close at Sydney Gardens with Nasty Fishmonger taking to the stage for the final performance, before many attendees continued the celebrations at Bath Pride’s official after-party at Komedia Bath, with over 500 people in attendance.

Bath Pride would like to thank everyone who attended, marched, performed, volunteered, traded and helped make the event possible, alongside its sponsors and community partners.

To help keep Bath Pride free and accessible, individuals can donate through one of the charity’s open fundraising pots. Businesses and organisations interested in helping to fund future Pride events, becoming a sponsor or working with Bath Pride as a community partner are encouraged to get in touch at hello@bathpride.org.

Those wishing to support the future of Bath Pride can donate or find out more at Bath Pride’s website.