Pride Weekend FAQs
Here are the answers to the questions we get asked most. For everything else, see the full programme listing.
WHEN IS KENDAL PRIDE WEEKEND?
Kendal Pride Weekend runs from Friday 12 to Sunday 14 June, with events across Kendal, including the Pride Village at Abbot Hall, the first-ever Procession, The Big Pride Party, Serving Sunday and lots more.
WHEN IS THE PROCESSION?
The Procession starts at 11:45am on Saturday 13 June at The Birdcage. It begins with a special performance from Kendal College students, the Kendal Pride community choir, Ragtag Arts’ carnival troupe and Drum Nation, before making its way through town to the Pride Village at Abbot Hall. The Procession is expected to arrive at Abbot Hall at around 12:30pm.
As part of the procession, there will be road closures on Finkle Street and Kent Street between 11.30am and 12.15pm.
HOW DO I JOIN THE PROCESSION?
Come to The Birdcage for 11:45am on Saturday 13 June and join in. You can follow the performers through town, wave your flags, cheer everyone on and help make Kendal’s first-ever Pride Procession a joyful and welcoming moment.
Coming as part of a group to the Procession? Please book in via the website so we can plan safely and keep an eye on numbers.
WHERE IS THE PRIDE VILLAGE?
The Pride Village is at Abbot Hall on Saturday and Sunday.
On Saturday, it runs from 12pm to 6pm, with stalls, food, drink, activities, family crafts, a bar and entertainment on the Main Stage from 12:30pm, hosted by Drag Race UK’s Viola. This is our main daytime celebration and a great place to meet friends, explore the stalls and enjoy the stage programme. On Sunday, it’s Serving Sunday at the Pride Village (1pm to 6pm) – more details on that below.
IS THERE FOOD & DRINK?
Yes. The Pride Village on Saturday has a selection of delicious food vendors. On Sunday, Serving Sunday brings a more relaxed afternoon of live music, free food, celebration and community. The Kendal Pride bar will also be open on both days.
DO I NEED TICKETS?
Some events are free, some are ticketed, and some have limited spaces, so it is worth checking the programme before you arrive. The Pride Village on Saturday and Sunday is not ticketed and completely free.
Please book ahead for events where tickets or advance registration are needed, including selected performances, activities, workshops and The Big Pride Party.
Explore the Events and Book Tickets
WHAT IS HAPPENING ON FRIDAY?
Friday is the start of Pride Weekend. You can join Run with Pride 5k, then head into the evening with The Queer Variety Show from Queer By Gum at Kendal Parish Hall, featuring live music, local drag and queer performance. While Miss Gendered at Snuff Bar also continues the Friday night celebrations.
WHAT IS HAPPENING ON SATURDAY?
Start the day with outdoor activities, including hikes, rides, runs, mindful movement and nature walks. Then gather at The Birdcage for the Procession at 11:45am, before heading to Pride Village and Stage at Abbot Hall.
The Soapbox Stage will also be at Abbot Hall on Saturday, giving emerging queer performers a space to share new work as part of the Pride Village programme. It is a great chance to catch something new and support local queer creativity.
In the evening, The Big Pride Party takes over The Venue at Bowness Bay Brewery from 7pm to 3am, with performances, DJs and dancing into the night.
WHAT IS HAPPENING ON SUNDAY?
Sunday brings a more relaxed close to the weekend, with morning yoga, strength and kettlebells, mountain biking, wild swimming, tabletop games, wellbeing sessions, climbing and community conversations.
From 1pm to 6pm, Serving Sunday brings everyone back to Abbot Hall for an acoustic afternoon of live music, free food, celebration and reflection. It is a lovely way to spend time together, reconnect after Saturday, and close the weekend as a community.
WHAT IS THE FEAST?
The Feast is Kendal Pride’s shared community meal on Sunday from 1:30pm to 2:30pm at Abbot Hall, with pies and accompaniments kindly provided by Westmorland Farmshop.
It takes place as part of Serving Sunday and is a chance to sit down, eat together and spend time with the community.
The pies for The Feast are now sold out, so thank you to everyone who booked. If you have booked, please remember to bring your Feast ticket with you. A copy on your phone is absolutely fine. This will help us make sure you get your chosen pie.
Even though the pies are sold out, you can still bring your own food and join in eating together as a community.
And even if you are not joining The Feast, you can still come along to Serving Sunday for a relaxed afternoon of live music, celebration, community and Pride Village vibes at Abbot Hall.
IS THE PRIDE VILLAGE FAMILY-FRIENDLY?
Yes. Saturday’s Pride Village includes family crafts with Ragtag Arts, crafts with Queer By Gum, stalls, food, drink, entertainment and free activities. Everyone is welcome, and there will be plenty to enjoy throughout the afternoons on Saturday and Sunday.
CAN I BRING MY DOG?
Dogs are welcome at the outdoor Pride Village, and Saturday includes the Proud Pooches Dog Show with Animal Rescue Cumbria.
Please keep dogs on leads and make sure they are comfortable, safe and happy in a busy outdoor event setting.
IS THERE ART TO SEE AT THE PRIDE VILLAGE?
Yes. This year’s ‘This is Home’ artist commissions are on show at Abbot Hall, created in partnership with Abbot Hall and Lakeland Arts.
Look out for Visual Artworks by Mathew Wayne Parkin and Miles Dyson, plus Where The Cells Gather, a living collage projection installation celebrating every kind of body and the stories they hold.
WHERE DOES PRIDE WINDOW TRAIL START?
It starts at Caffe Nero on Market Place. Follow the online Kendal Pride Trail around town and look out for Pride displays in local windows. There are 20 clues to guide you to different locations, and the trail takes around one hour to complete.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
Bring layers, water, sunscreen, comfortable shoes, any tickets you have booked, a card or cash for food and stalls, and your Pride Guide if you have picked one up.
HOW CAN I HELP?
There are lots of simple ways to support Kendal Pride. Share the programme with friends, pick up a Pride Guide, use the map, book tickets where needed, support the bar, food vendors, stallholders and artists, cheer the Procession, come to the party, and join us again on Sunday.
You can also help us spread the word by sharing your photos and posts on Instagram. Tag @kendalprideuk so we can see and share your Pride Weekend moments.
FINAL THINGS BEFORE THE WEEKEND.
Check the full programme before you travel, book ahead where needed, and keep an eye on Kendal Pride social channels for any final updates.
This weekend is yours – and it only exists because of this community. Whatever you do, wherever you end up, we hope it feels joyful, welcoming and a little bit magical. We cannot wait to celebrate with you. 🌈
With love and pride, the Kendal Pride Team 💚