Everything you need to know about Leeds Pride 2022

3rd August 2022

4 minute read

Saturday 6 August – Sunday 7 August 2022.

Pride in Leeds is one of a very few free Pride events in the UK and in 2019 attracted over 65,000 people making it one of the biggest events held in the city centre, so you can bet that this year, the celebrations will be more exciting than ever before.

This Sunday will see the annual parade return to Lower Briggate and across Leeds with special tribute to the late Robert Payne, who sadly passed away in December 2021. A new route and name has been given to the parade in his honour.

Keep reading to find out everything from road closures to parade timings for the two day Pride weekender in Leeds…

Parade Times

️The following times have been confirmed by Leeds Pride for the parades across the weekend.

12pm – 2pm Parade stage at Millennium Square️

2pm – 3pm The Robert Payne parade from Millennium Square to the The Calls️

3pm – 9pm Main stage at Lower Briggate

The Viaduct Showbar Flash Mob and Street Party

Taking place three times throughout the weekend, Viaduct Showbar will be sharing a celebration through dance outside the Apple Store inside Trinity Shopping Centre.

Taking places at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm on Saturday 6 August 2022, this will be an exciting way for all ages to begin their weekend-long Pride celebration.

Down on Lower Briggate at the renowned bar, Viaduct Showbar will be hosting a range of exciting celebrations at their dedicated Viaduct Street Party, taking place on the same day.

Tickets for the street party are available here.

In memory of Robert Payne

The parade this year has been named the Robert Payne Parade after Robert Payne from Blayds Bar who sadly passed away in December 2021. Many may remember Robert as ‘Drag with no Frock’ who worked tirelessly with husband Duncan to run Blayds Bar in Leeds for over ten years.

Husband Duncan and daughter Gemma have been fundraising for Pride in Robert’s memory on JustGiving.

“Robert was a huge supporter in Leeds Pride every year. We would like to help raise as much money as we can to an event that can be overlooked and seen as a party however it helps so many people. Leeds pride is an event that takes place every year in the lower part of Leeds city centre. We are asking everyone who knew Robert to donate if you can.

So far, the JustGiving pages has raised around £1500 in total, including donation boxes donations from Blayds bar. Fundraising will continue throughout Leeds Pride and the total will be updated afterwards.

The first UK Pride event with Premier League players

The attendance of past and present players from Leeds United makes Leeds Pride the first UK Pride event to have Premier League footballers in attendance.

Leeds United is a premium sponsor of the event, for the second time, but this will be the first time players have attended the Pride Weekend.

Luke (Bill) Ayling, Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear and former Leeds United playesr Jermaine Beckford and Noel Whelan will all be in attendance, appearing with members of Marching Out Together, the LGBTQ+ and other Leeds United supporters.

Angus Kinnear the Leeds United CEO, issued a statement to explain why he looking forward to attending his first Pride event here in Leeds: “The Leeds United players and directors all send their best wishes to Marching Out Together and everyone associated with Leeds Pride. We do hope fans will come along and join us or watch the Parade pass through the city – it is a great opportunity to show our support to the LGBT+ community.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is a7ab4f84-dfd6-7d64-2a3f-392034c4cf3f.jpeg — Image: Marching Out Together

“Everyone will be meeting at 1.30pm, as the parade assembles on Cookridge Street and Portland Crescent. Please look out for the Leeds United shirts and the Marching Out Together flags!”

Leeds United has also reported that a number of members of the first team have recorded messages to show their support for Marching Out Together. Captain Liam Cooper said: “I am proud to captain a club that not only supports Leeds Pride, but also works throughout the year with Marching Out Together, to make sure that everybody at Elland Road feels welcome.”

Marching Out Together is sharing updates via Twitter about this exciting UK first.

Travelling to and from Pride

Leedscity by First Bus is offering a Pride Day ticket, allowing those travelling by bus to pay just £3 for unlimited travel across Leeds for the entire weekend.

To take advantage of this offer on both Saturday 6 August – Sunday 7 August 2022, make sure you download the First Bus App and find the offer in the promotions section on the day of travel.

Due to the nature of the parade, bus services across the city will be affected. The route for the Leeds Pride Parade this year covers: Millennium Square, Cookridge Street, The Headrow, Vicar Lane, Kirkgate, York Street, Duke Street, Kirkgate, High Court, The Calls, Call Lane and Lower Briggate and therefore WY Metro has reported that “Leeds Highways have advised that the road closures for the Pride Parade are from 1345 –1615 though these are approximate and may be different on the day.”

The following services will be affected throughout the weekend: 1, 2, 3, 3A, 4, 5, 6, 7(First), 7(Harrogate), 8(First), 11A, 12, 13, 13A, 14, 15, 16, 16A, 19, 19A, 27, 28(First), 29, 33, 34, 36(Harrogate) 40, 42, 49, 50, 50A, 51, 52, 55C, 60, 72, 75, 110, 140, 141, 163, 166, 200, 201, 201A, 202, 203, 229, 254, 255, 444, 446, 508, A1, PR1, PR3, X6, X84 and X99.

Many of these appear to be minor changes to fit around the road closures, for the full information on how individual buses are affected, visit the WY Metro website.