Annual Pride Cymru Festival Draws Thousands to Cardiff
Thousands of attendees are anticipated at the annual Pride Cymru festival in Cardiff this weekend.
The traditional parade is scheduled for Saturday in the city centre, followed by a headline performance from singer Kate Nash at Cardiff Castle.
Now marking its 27th year, organisers have described the event as a
"weekend of celebration, protest, and powerful visibility"for the LGBTQ+ community.
Dan Walsh, chair of Pride Cymru, emphasised the festival's significance, stating it is
"more important than ever".
"This year's event is a chance to come together, stand in solidarity, and celebrate the resilient spirit of the LGBTQ+ community in Wales,"he added.
Since its evolution from Cardiff Mardi Gras in 1999, Pride Cymru has expanded considerably, drawing over 50,000 participants in 2025.
Political parties were excluded from last year's event to show solidarity with the transgender community; however, First Minister Rhun ap Iorwerth has been invited to participate this year.
Typically a two-day event, this year's celebrations commenced on Friday with a concert by pop star Mika at DEPOT Live.
Saturday's parade will begin at 11:00 BST on Westgate Street, proceeding through The Hayes and Queen Street.
Following the parade, Cardiff Castle will open its grounds for the main festival, which will feature performances across three stages, as well as a family area, youth zone, and faith tent.
Festivities will continue until 22:30 on Saturday and will resume at 11:00 on Sunday.
While the parade is free to watch, tickets are required for entry to the castle grounds where the main festival takes place.
Lineup for Pride Cymru 2026
Pop star Kate Nash, known for her hit single "Foundations," will headline the main stage on Saturday. She will be joined by performers including Louise, Ultrabeat, 90s group 911, BRIT Award nominee Caity Baser, and RuPaul's Drag Race UK stars Divina de Campo and Catrin Feelings.
Sunday's headliners include Bright Light Bright Light, recognized for collaborations with Elton John, and Drag Race UK's Marmalade.
Organisers noted that the Cabaret Stage will feature a
"huge array of local legendary"LGBTQ+ performers who are fixtures at venues across Wales.
The Community Stage will also return, showcasing acts that
"reflect the diversity of the Welsh cultural scene".
Parade Route Details
The parade route for this year measures approximately 1.4 miles (2.25 km), starting on Westgate Street near the Angel Hotel.
The procession will continue along High Street, St Mary Street, Mill Lane, The Hayes, Working Street, Queen Street, Park Street, and Greyfriars Road, concluding near Cardiff Castle.
Organisers estimate the parade will take between 1.5 to 2 hours to complete.
Road Closures During the Event
Several roads in Cardiff city centre will be closed during the Pride Cymru festival.
On Saturday, closures will be in effect from 06:00 to 00:00 and from 08:00 to 14:30, affecting key routes along the parade path and surrounding areas to ensure safety and smooth event operations.
