Main Stage
Acts and Line-Up
Get ready for another incredible year of music, entertainment, and pure Pride energy as York Pride 2026 brings the Main Stage to life!
Acts 2026
Running Order
From pop royalty and powerhouse vocals to jaw-dropping drag and iconic throwbacks, York Pride 2026 is serving non-stop entertainment from start to finish. Whether you’re here for the music, the glamour, or the glitter – there’s something for everyone.
Here’s what’s currently planned for our Festival Area on Saturday 30th May 2026:
📌 Running order is subject to change – check screens and stage announcements on the day for the latest updates.
MAIN STAGE 2026 ACTS
NADINE COYLE
Nadine brings major pop star energy to York Pride for a huge finale set. As one fifth of Girls Aloud, Nadine is part of one of the UK’s most loved pop groups, with a catalogue packed full of songs that defined chart countdowns, nights out and dance floors for years.
From iconic pop moments to unforgettable vocals, Nadine’s place in British pop is firmly established. The music is instantly recognisable to generations of fans, and this appearance at York Pride gives the Main Stage a finale packed with nostalgia, glamour and huge singalong potential.
Having wowed York Pride before, Nadine returns with the kind of headline energy that feels made for a Pride finale. Expect solo moments, Girls Aloud favourites and a set full of pop sparkle, crowd-wide singing and proper end-of-day celebration.
MICHAEL MAROULI
Michael Marouli brings drag excellence, sharp humour and full star presence to York Pride. Known from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, Michael became a standout name in British drag, celebrated for confidence, wit, performance skill and unmistakable personality.
A performer with years of experience, Michael brings the polish of a seasoned cabaret artist and the charisma of a national drag star. Their drag is bold, funny, glamorous and full of bite, with the kind of stage presence that can hold a huge crowd from the moment they arrive.
Expect comedy, glamour, attitude and a performance that feels both polished and completely alive in the moment. Michael Marouli is not just performing at York Pride. They are arriving.
Nicki French
Nicki French brings classic pop power and Pride anthem energy to York Pride. Known for her huge version of Total Eclipse of the Heart and her Eurovision connection, Nicki is a performer with the kind of catalogue that instantly gets a crowd singing.
Nicki has long been loved by LGBT+ audiences, and her Pride performances carry exactly the right mix of nostalgia, dance-pop joy and big vocal moments. Nicki knows how to work a crowd, build a singalong and create the kind of shared pop moment that Pride audiences absolutely love.
Her York Pride set promises big vocals, feel-good energy and songs that will have the crowd joining in from the first chorus.
Heavenly Bodies
Heavenly Bodies bring bold collective performance to the York Pride Main Stage, featuring Bones, Flesh and La Belle. Together, they create a group act that is striking, visual and unapologetically queer, combining individual stage presence with the power of a collective identity.
Bones brings edge, attitude and performance bite. Flesh brings body, presence and confidence, adding to the visual and physical strength of the performance. La Belle brings glamour, polish and theatricality, helping shape Heavenly Bodies into something that feels complete, deliberate and memorable.
As a collective, Heavenly Bodies are here to serve performance with impact. Expect a Main Stage moment that celebrates queer artistry, body confidence, glamour and the joy of taking up space together.
Urban Cookie Collective
Urban Cookie Collective bring a huge slice of dance music history to York Pride. Best known for their iconic 90s dance sound and unforgettable anthems including The Key, The Secret, they are the perfect act for a Pride crowd ready to sing, move and relive some proper feel-good classics.
Their music helped define an era of club culture, and their Main Stage set is all about bringing that energy into the present. Expect big beats, hands-in-the-air moments, nostalgia and the kind of songs that instantly turn a field into a dance floor.
For anyone who loves a Pride set that feels joyful, communal and completely euphoric, Urban Cookie Collective are a must-see.
Joe McElderry
Joe McElderry brings unmistakable vocals, charm and star quality to the York Pride Main Stage. First winning the hearts of the nation as the winner of The X Factor, Joe has gone on to build a varied career across music, television and theatre, becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable and best-loved vocalists.
From chart success to stage roles and national tours, Joe has shown the kind of versatility that keeps audiences coming back. His voice is warm, powerful and instantly familiar, with a performance style that can bring a whole crowd together.
His York Pride set promises polish, personality and plenty of crowd-pleasing moments. Joe is the kind of performer who can fill a field with sound and make it feel personal at the same time. Expect a set full of sparkle, connection and seriously impressive vocals.
Sweet Like Sabrina
Sweet Like Sabrina bring pure pop fun to York Pride with a tribute packed with sparkle, attitude and feel-good energy. Celebrating the sound, style and playful pop confidence of Sabrina Carpenter, this set is made for anyone who loves glossy pop, big hooks and songs that feel instantly ready for a Pride crowd.
Expect colour, confidence and unapologetic pop energy. With nods to the hits, the attitude and the aesthetic that fans know and love, Sweet Like Sabrina are here to bring a sugary rush of Main Stage joy.
This is a set for the pop lovers, the dancers, the scream-singers and anyone ready for a bit of main character energy in the middle of Pride day.
Jordan Smart
Jordan Smart brings smooth vocals, warmth and feel-good stage presence to York Pride. With a performance style that draws the audience in, Jordan is set to deliver a Main Stage moment that feels polished, confident and full of charm.
This set is all about connection. It is the kind of performance that works beautifully in a Pride setting because it feels both entertaining and genuine. Jordan brings strong vocals, easy charisma and a crowd-friendly energy that will sit perfectly within the Main Stage line-up.
York Stage: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
York Stage joins York Pride with the cast of their upcoming production of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, bringing a powerful burst of musical theatre energy to the Main Stage. The show’s themes of identity, courage, self-expression and stepping proudly into the spotlight make it a perfect fit for Pride.
Everybody’s Talking About Jamie has become one of the most recognisable modern British musicals, celebrating the story of a young person determined to live authentically, challenge expectations and find joy in being different. York Stage’s appearance at Pride gives audiences a special chance to experience the heart, colour and energy of the production ahead of its full run.
Expect musical theatre sparkle, uplifting vocals and a performance full of Pride spirit. This is local theatre, queer joy and big-stage celebration coming together in one brilliant Main Stage moment.
Roxanne Cooper
Roxanne Cooper brings powerhouse vocals, warmth and polished stage presence to the York Pride Main Stage. Known to many from her time on Pop Idol, Roxanne first reached audiences across the country through one of the UK’s biggest television talent shows, and has continued to perform with the kind of voice that instantly connects with a crowd.
Her Main Stage set is a chance to enjoy big vocals, familiar songs and the kind of feel-good performance that sits right at the heart of Pride. Roxanne brings the sparkle of a performer who knows how to command a stage while still making the audience feel part of the moment.
Expect a set full of heart, vocal power and proper singalong energy.
DJ Rory Hoy
Rory Hoy brings a proper burst of festival energy to the York Pride Main Stage. A DJ, producer and performer with a sound made for big outdoor crowds, Rory knows how to build a set that feels bright, uplifting and full of movement.
His music blends feel-good dance, party beats and crowd-ready hooks, making him the perfect act to help get Pride day moving. Whether you are arriving early, finding your friends or getting into the festival mood, Rory’s set is built to pull people in and set the tone for the celebration ahead.
Expect energy, movement and a proper party-starting atmosphere from an artist who knows exactly how to get a crowd going.
York Pride Drag Race: Lip Sync for the Crown
The crown is on the line. York Pride Drag Race reaches its Main Stage climax as our finalists battle it out in the Lip Sync for the Crown.
This is the big finale moment of York Pride Drag Race, bringing local drag talent onto the Main Stage for a fierce, high-energy showdown. Expect drama, glitter, nerves, attitude and the kind of performance power that only a Pride crowd can bring out.
This is not just a lip sync. It is the final moment of a competition that has celebrated rising drag talent, queer creativity and the performers helping keep local drag and cabaret scenes alive. With the audience behind them and the title within reach, the finalists will need to bring everything they have.
Our Fabulous Hosts
Our hosts are the heart of York Pride, keeping the energy high and the audience engaged throughout the day. As expert comperes, they bring the stage to life, introducing acts, sharing key messages, and ensuring the event runs smoothly. Their charisma, humour, and passion are essential to creating the unforgettable atmosphere that makes York Pride so special!
Ash Palmisciano
Ash Palmisciano joins York Pride as one of our Main Stage hosts, bringing warmth, visibility and a brilliant connection with audiences across the UK. Best known to many for playing Matty Barton in Emmerdale, Ash has become a familiar face on national television and an important part of contemporary British screen representation.
Ash’s presence at York Pride brings together entertainment, community and visibility. As a performer, presenter and public figure, Ash brings humour, honesty and a natural ability to connect with audiences. That makes Ash a perfect fit for a Main Stage built around celebration, belonging and Pride with purpose.
Throughout the day, Ash will help guide audiences through a packed programme of performances, big moments and community celebration. We are delighted to welcome Ash to York Pride as part of our Main Stage hosting team.
Mamma Bear
Mamma Bear returns to York Pride as one of our long-standing Main Stage favourites, bringing warmth, comedy, confidence and huge community energy. A proud Yorkshire performer and a familiar face to York Pride audiences, Mamma Bear has become part of the fabric of the event, helping create the welcoming, joyful and slightly chaotic magic that makes the day feel so special.
As a host, Mamma Bear brings big personality and a genuine connection with the crowd. Expect quick wit, warmth, camp sparkle and the kind of stage presence that makes everyone on the field feel included in the celebration.
Mamma Bear’s return is exactly the kind of familiar Pride magic audiences love: bold, funny, generous and full of heart.
St Sordid Secret
St Sordid Secret returns to York Pride as one of our much-loved Main Stage hosts, bringing trademark wit, camp chaos and proper Yorkshire drag energy to the day. A familiar face to York Pride audiences, St Sordid Secret knows exactly how to hold a crowd, keep the energy moving and turn a stage link into a moment of its own.
With sharp humour, brilliant timing and the confidence of a seasoned performer, St Sordid Secret brings the kind of hosting that makes Pride feel alive from start to finish. Whether welcoming major acts, firing up the crowd or adding a perfectly judged bit of mischief between performances, St Sordid Secret is a key part of the York Pride Main Stage experience.
Returning hosts are part of what gives York Pride its character, and St Sordid Secret brings that sense of familiarity, fun and local Pride spirit in abundance.
