Parade with Pride
Whether you’re watching, taking part or joining as a group, here’s everything you need to know…
York Pride day gets off to a fabulous start with our Parade March from York City Centre, through the streets of York city centre to our Festival site on the Knavesmire.
Our loud and proud Parade is a colourful celebration of our community and a march for equality and LGBT+ human rights in the UK and around the world. It’s our chance to show what a diverse and inclusive place York is and to show that hatred and prejudice have no place in our city.
THE BELOW INFORMATION RELATES TO YORK PRIDE 2025
Parade Route & Times
The Parade assembles in Parliament Street, at 11.30am ready to start at 12 noon.
It makes its way through the streets York city centre and along Bishopthorpe Road to our Festival site on the Knavesmire, arriving between 1pm and 1.30pm.
A map of the full route is below:
Watching the Parade
Everyone is welcome to cheer on the Parade anywhere along the route and enjoy the carnival atmosphere as it passes by!
Popular locations for watching the Parade, such as Duncombe Place, St Helen’s Square, Davygate and Bishopthorpe Road Shops can get busy, so arrive early to get yourself a good spot.
It’s the taking part that counts…
Taking part as a member of the public
Anyone can join fellow members of the community, allies, friends and family to take part in the Parade. The general public doesn’t need to register – just turn up on the day!
Taking part as a business, group or organisation
We encourage all community groups, charities, public sector organisations and businesses who support the LGBT+ community to join us in the Parade and make a visible statement of their commitment.
Only Sponsors and Schools, Colleges & Youth Organisations will be asked to register for their allocated places in the parade.
All other groups and organisations no longer need to register and can just arrive on the day – but with this in mind we are encouraging businesses and groups to consider becoming Sponsors, to ensure they have the most up-to-date information and space allocation.
Please note, all registered Parade attendees MUST provide a number of marshals. Our team will let you know how many of these will be “group lead marshals” who will be required to attend one training session in the run-up to the big day.
If you would like to know more about how to become a registered Parade participant please email parade@yorkpride.org.uk
Schools, Colleges or Youth Organisations looking for information about registering should email schools@yorkpride.org.uk
Things to note…
Here are a few handy hints and tips to make sure everyone enjoys their day:
Wear your best Pride outfit, but be mindful of the York weather! Think about bringing along sunscreen and/or a coat, poncho or umbrella – just in case…
Our Pride Parade is one of the longest in the country at 2.4 miles, and takes around 60-90 minutes to complete, so please wear appropriate comfortable footwear!
Stay hydrated! Remember to bring a bottle of water or soft drink along with you (no alcohol though – there are control orders on parts of the route that prohibit consumption of alcohol on the streets and breaches may lead to prosecution).
The Parade follows the public highway and so is relatively flat, however we do go over a few cobbled streets but this is unavoidable on our route, so heels might not be such a great idea!
Flags, banners and placards are welcome on the march, but remember you’ll be carrying them for over an hour, and please make sure they don’t have anything offensive on them.
A number of short-term temporary road closures will be in place on the day to allow the Parade to safely pass through. These will be signposted in advance, but please allow extra time if travelling.
Pooches can show their Pride too, as well-behaved dogs are allowed on the day. Please be mindful that large crowds will be present and please keep them on a lead.
Key Notes
Remember roads are closed to traffic around assembly area and only pre-authorised vehicles with permit can be in the Parade.
Check weather forecast before setting out and dress appropriately.
If carrying anything (banners, ‘boom boxes’ etc) remember Parade is 2.2 miles long.
Groups should form up away from the assembly area.
Sponsors should assemble in St Sampson’s Sq 11:00-11:20am.
Schools & Colleges should assemble in Church Street 11:00-11:20am.
TransPride participants should assemble in Feasegate 11:10-11:40am
All others should assemble in Parliament Street 11:10-11:40am.
The Parade leaves St Sampson’s Sq at noon behind the York Pride open-top bus.
It will take around 30 minutes for the Parade to clear the start area and 60 minutes to reach the Festival site.
Stay safe at all times! Stay on the road way unless directed otherwise.
When you arrive at the Knavesmire clear the roadway as soon as possible and make your way in to the Festival site.
Follow the instructions of the Parade Management Team, the Marshals and the Traffic Stewards throughout the Parade.
York Pride Signage, Slogans, Placards & Political Messaging Policy
As a registered charity, York Pride has a duty to remain politically impartial in accordance with Charity Commission guidance and our own charitable constitution. While we are committed to championing LGBT+ rights and advocating for inclusion and equality, we must ensure our activities do not promote any particular political party or candidate. This policy outlines the standards expected of parade participants and those attending the festival in relation to signage, slogans, placards and political messaging.
Purpose of the Event
York Pride is both a statement and a celebration of LGBT+ diversity, visibility, and community. Our event provides a platform for individuals, community groups, charities,
and businesses to demonstrate their support for LGBT+ rights in a positive, respectful,
and inclusive manner.
Political Parties and Elected Representatives
York Pride welcomes elected representatives from all parties who support LGBT+ equality to participate in the parade and attend the festival in a personal or non-
partisan capacity to celebrate and promote LGBT+ rights and advocacy for inclusion and equality. However, political parties are not permitted to enter branded floats or
walking groups in the parade or have a presence at the festival, solely to promote their party. Any political representative attending must adhere to this policy and may not
carry or distribute materials that promote party political messaging.
Trade Unions and Activist Groups
Trade unions and activist groups may join the parade and attend the festival, provided their participation centres on LGBT+ advocacy and not general political campaigning. All
signage and messaging must focus on LGBT+ inclusion and rights, and must not be party-political in nature nor relate to topics not championing LGBT+ rights or advocating
for inclusion and equality.
Placards and Messaging
Parade participants and festival attendees may carry signs or banners supporting LGBT+ rights, human rights, equality, and inclusion, provided the messaging aligns with York
Pride’s charitable aims. Individuals must be mindful of others and ensure the carrying of any sign or banner does not adversely impact the participation of others at the event;
at the festival signs and banners are not permitted above head height in the viewing area in front of any stage so as not to affect the enjoyment of others watching the
entertainment/activity taking place on the stage.
Placards must not include:
Endorsements of specific political parties or candidates.
Party political slogans or logos to promote party political messaging.
Offensive, discriminatory, or divisive language.
Content that could reasonably be seen as undermining York Pride’s values or charitable status.
Breach of Policy
York Pride reserves the right to remove or deny participation to any group or individual displaying material or behaviour that breaches this policy. Parade marshals, festival
stewards and organisers will be briefed to monitor compliance throughout the event.
Appeals & Clarification
If your group is unsure whether a placard or banner meets this policy, please contact York Pride at parade@yorkpride.org.uk in good time before the event for guidance. York
Pride is committed to dialogue and will consider appeals on a case-by-case basis, balancing free expression with our purpose, aims and legal obligations as a charity.
