Everything you need to know about UK Black Pride 2025
UK Black Pride returns to Stratford in 2025 (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)
UK Black Pride returns to Stratford in 2025 (Photo by Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images)
UK Black Pride is nearly upon us, and this time the event is “celebrating 20 years of protest, power & pride.”
The group’s CEO Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah has said, “As we reflect on previous years, we are planning to make this the biggest and the boldest UK Black Pride yet.”
In the last couple of years the event has drawn in more than 25,000 people and that continues to grow.
Here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 event.
What is UK Black Pride?
UK Black Pride is the world’s largest free Black Pride celebration and has taken place in London since 2005. It started as a bus-load of people in Southend-on-Sea and has grown to more than 25,000 people gathering in East London.
The event celebrates people of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American and Middle Eastern descent and offers a safe space where people can come together to celebrate diverse sexualities, gender identities, gender expressions and cultures.
When will it take place?
UK Black Pride is once again returning to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Stratford on Sunday 10 August 2025. It will be open from 12-9pm and entry is free.
What is the theme for UK Black Pride 2025?
This year’s theme is ‘Becoming’. As well as honouring the journey to get to the 20th anniversary UK Black Pride is looking forward. The theme “is a love letter to our constant transformation as Black LGBTQ+ people and LGBTQ+ people of colour,” organisers have said. “We shapeshift, we resist, we thrive. We’re never static, never silent and never alone.
“Inspired by the legendary Octavia Butler “God is Change” we embrace the power we hold to mould the world around us. Together. So get ready for our BIGGEST, BLACKEST, most BEAUTIFUL celebration yet!” they added.
Who is performing?
Event organisers have promised a “a bold and beautiful line-up of performances,” this year. Among the performers and DJs this year are Shanay Maliya, Project Reese, and Ivicore.
Headlining the event will be the Grammy-nominated artist, Durand Bernarr. “This time, he’s bringing his genre-hopping, vibe-setting, floor-filling alter ego, DJ TBD aka Bra Coley, to UK Black Pride for our biggest celebration yet,” organisers posted on Instagram.
Who is hosting the main stage?
Will Njobvu, Rikki Beadle-Blair, and Josie Peres will be hosting the main stage on the day.
What else is happening?
As well as the live performances there will be talks, community stalls and workshops to attend and take part in.
Is there an after party?
There sure is! It’s being held at The Colour Factory in Hackney Wick. The party starts at 9pm and is due to go on till 3am on Monday 11 August.
“The celebration doesn’t stop when the sun goes down – join us for the official UK Black Pride After Party and keep the energy flowing,” organisers have said. Tickets are available here.
