Everything you need to know ahead of Warrington Pride this weekend

On Saturday, the annual Warrington Pride celebration will celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, acceptance, diversity and inclusion.

Golden Square Shopping Centre, Warrington Borough Council, Warrington BID and a number of other local groups and organisations will be supporting the event again this year.

The parade will start at 11am at Time Square and will work its way to Golden Square, where it will conclude an hour later.

Those hoping to take part in the parade in a group must register attendance via an online form.

So far, 250 people have registered their attendance for the parade, which is set to be quite the celebration.

“Through collaboration efforts and a passion to make a difference, this is our commitment in creating a town where every individual feels valued and embraced for who they are,” said Ian Cox, director of Golden Square.

“Warrington Pride provides a platform for both unity and understanding and Golden Square is proud to support Warrington Pride and its mission of inclusivity."

In Golden Square, Teenagers, Gender and Sexuality (TAGS), Warrington Borough Council’s LGBTQ+ support service, will be hosting a silent disco, drag acts and the anticipated return of Glitter, where a list of performers are due to take to the stage from 6pm.

Tia Kofi, who recently won RuPaul’s Drag Race: UK vs the World, will be among the performers at Glitter, and will be taking to the stage at 9.30pm.

Under 18s must attend Glitter with an adult and tickets cost £5 per person.

For more information about Glitter, and to get tickets, visit wearewarringtonbid.co.uk/events/glitter-2024-warrington-pride/.

“Events like Warrington Pride stand as beacons of acceptance and solidarity, right at the heart of our community,” said Sharon Johnson and Jamie Graham, representatives of TAGS.

“Through its celebration and advocacy, Warrington Pride illuminated the path towards a more inclusive and compassionate society, where diversity is not only accepted but celebrated,” they continued.

Last year, thousands took to the street of Warrington to celebrate Pride (Image: Warrington BID)

Elsewhere in the town, LiveWire will be holding a range of activities from 11am to 2pm, including cake decorating and badge making at Warrington Central Library.

In Time Square, the University of Chester will be hosting arts and crafts sessions and a speaker’s corner from 10am until 2pm.

Live music will also fill Time Square on Saturday, and Warrington Market will also host a drag queen event on Friday.

Warrington Youth Zone will be holding a Seniors Pride Party at WYZ between 4pm to 10pm with a live band, DJ performances, and themed activities.

There will also be a party for junior members between the ages of 7 and 12 at the earlier time of 11am until 3pm.

Pride at the Hive, a comedy event being held in aid of Peace in Mind UK, will be showcasing local LGBTQ+ comedy talent while also raising money for a good cause.

Eight comedians and two musicians will take to the stage for the event at Tank Bar and Lounge, which starts at 7.30pm.

For more information about Pride at the Hive and to purchase tickets, visit ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/warrington/tank-bar-live-lounge/pride-at-the-hive/e-boqzkb.

Culture Warrington have been working with members of the LGBTQ+ community to create a programme for Pride.

A Place to Pause, a conversation space, will be available at Chester University in Time Square for people looking for a quiet space to reflect and talk to others away from the excitement.

The space will be open between 10am until 3.30pm and craft activities will also be available.

An audio tour, called I Put My Love in Your Hands, will also be available in Time Square focussing on identity and sexuality.

The performance debuted earlier this year in Lancaster and will be using participants from the Warrington queer community.

The tour is free and will be taking place from 10am until 4pm.

Warrington Pride Banner, which has been created in collaboration with Warrington Pride Group members, LGBTQ+ people and artist Tara Collette, will be launched at 11.30am on Saturday in Time Square.

Chicken, a play by Soup Productions, is also part of Culture Warrington's Pride programme.

The piece of original theatre explores themes, discussions and social attitudes to LGBTQ+ life across two generations and will be performed by Warrington actors.

Chicken will be performed at Parr Hall on Tuesday, June 11 and Wednesday June 12 at 7pm.

A Pride exhibition will be featured in the Warrington Museum between June 1 until July 7 and will include items on Transgender Day of Remembrance, Rainbow-washing and GAY Times.