Victoria Road in New Brighton will be closed for 12 hours this weekend to accommodate the Wirral Pride festival, which returns for a “jam-packed day of colour and celebration” for the whole family. The event, previously known as New Brighton Pride, was rebranded for 2025 to allow organisers to “support more people” in the area.
Festival details
The family-friendly day will kick off at Victoria Quarter on Saturday, August 8, celebrating its fifth anniversary. Stalls will open at 10.30am, and from then on, Victoria Road will transform “into a hub of spectacular entertainment”. The main stage will feature performances from Birkenhead’s Benjamin Gillham, the return of Mandi Fish, and entertainment from DJ Jules, the Liverpool Rainbow Chorus, and Richard Sefton, among others.
Road closures
To allow for the festivities, Victoria Road will be closed from its junction with Rowson Street to its junction with Windsor Street, Grosvenor Road from its junction with Victoria Road to its junction with Hope Street, and Waterloo Road from its junction with Wellington Road to its junction with Victoria Road. The closures will be in place from 7am to 7pm.
Founder's vision
Founder and director Jamie Lee Carter told the ECHO: “Visibility is the foundation of our progress. When we come together as a community, we are doing so much more than celebrating - we are making a powerful statement of unity and resilience. Pride is our dedicated moment to remember the trailblazers who fought for the rights we hold today, to stand in steadfast solidarity with exactly where we are right now, and to collectively shape a future where every single person can live authentically and unapologetically.”
In 2022, Jamie found himself sitting on a bench on New Brighton promenade, “dreaming of making a difference” after feeling lonely due to covid restrictions and recognising the isolation felt by others within the community. This led to the creation of New Brighton Pride, a community interest company that hosted the first event of its kind on the Wirral. The turnout was larger than anticipated, leaving Jamie with “tears in his eyes” as he said: “Woah, we did it”.
Accessibility and inclusivity
Since then, Jamie and his team have remained dedicated to ensuring the annual event remains free for everyone to attend, and this year is no exception. Wirral Pride is dedicated to ensuring that everyone can fully participate in the celebration. A BSL interpreter will be present on the main stage throughout the day, providing sign language interpretation for all performances and announcements. Additionally, the Pride Market & Services stalls will be open from the 10.30am start for those who prefer quieter browsing before the crowds arrive.
