Birmingham Pride is facing backlash after ticket prices for 2027 were revealed, starting from £29, seemingly scrapping earlier plans to make the event free to attend. The event is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary, a moment bosses hoped to mark by removing ticket fees altogether.
Plans for a free festival
In April, festival director Lawrence Barton revealed his hopes to make the festival entirely free for its 30th anniversary in 2027 and declared his intention to "hand the baton" to another organiser to take Pride into the future if he pulls it off.
Talking to BirminghamLive, Lawrence said: "In 1997 I attended the first Birmingham Pride, 2027 will be the 30th anniversary. I’d love to bring it full circle. In my own mind, I’d love for it to be a free festival."
Lawrence added that security concerns, as well as the costs involved in road closures, clean-up operations, artist hire, security and infrastructure, meant there was a balance to be struck when organising, but confirmed that a free pride event was possible and that he intended to push forward with the plan, navigating any challenges along the way.
Ticket prices and backlash
The annual parade is free-to-attend and then it is followed by a two-day ticketed celebration in the village with performers and artists set across multiple stages and venues. Performers include Katy B, Sigala, Nadine of Girls Aloud fame, Bjorn Again, Boney M ft Maizie Williams and Danny Beard.
This year, prices were slashed significantly amid cost of living crisis concerns and in a bid to make the event more accessible. For 2027, prices start from £29.51 and can be purchased here, while more costly tickets go up to £110.
Commenters shared their thoughts under a Birmingham Pride announcement post on Facebook, with one writing: "So free festival in 2027 lasted about 5 minutes." Another chimed in, adding: "Thought pride was going to be free next year".
Birmingham Pride's response
Birmingham Pride replied: "We have previously spoken about our aspiration to explore a free Pride, and we completely understand why people may have been looking forward to that.
"As we have developed our plans for our 30th anniversary, we have carefully considered what is needed to deliver a Pride that is safe, accessible, diverse, affordable and sustainable, while retaining the elements that make Birmingham Pride so special.
"For 2027, we've decided that the best way to achieve that is through our full festival programme, alongside our Big Free Community Event on Friday, affordable loyalty tickets and our Low-Income Ticket Scheme, which will offer eligible people tickets at 50% of face value. We know affordability matters, and it's something we remain absolutely committed to."
Some were onboard with Birmingham Pride's pricing, with one arguing: "You can’t have a free pride with the big acts they have because they don’t come cheap regardless I’ll be happy to always pay for pride with good acts! Also they put so much into the community all year round."
The Mirror has reached out to Birmingham Pride for further comment.
