Chelmsford supports bigger and bolder celebrations for Essex Pride this June

Chelmsford Theatre, supported by investment from Chelmsford City Council, is partnering with Essex Pride to deliver an enhanced programme of Pride celebrations on Saturday 20 June.

The Pride Festival returns to Central Park this June.

Introducing a new route and pre-march party for the Essex Pride March

This year’s Pride March will begin at Marconi Plaza, beside Chelmsford Theatre. To build up a party atmosphere ahead of the march commencing, the theatre will curate a vibrant pre-march celebration in the plaza, featuring live music, performers and festival vibes. The theatre will also be opening its facilities and café to all taking part in the march, providing opportunities to grab a refreshment before setting off through the city centre.

The march route itself will also be longer than ever before. Led by RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star, Cheryl The Queen, it will set off from Marconi Plaza along Duke Street, before joining the top of Chelmsford High Street at Tindal Square. From there, it will continue through the city centre and finish at the main Pride Festival site in Central Park.

RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Cheryl The Queen will once again lead the Essex Pride March through Chelmsford city centre.

Garry Ormes, Chair of Essex Pride, is thrilled to be working with Chelmsford Theatre to elevate this year’s Pride celebrations for Essex:

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“The annual Essex Pride March and Festival provides a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to be seen and recognised, challenging stereotypes and promoting acceptance. It is a fun, safe and inclusive event for the whole community to join together and celebrate.

“The march itself signifies the start of our Pride celebrations and we’re really excited to be working with the team at Chelmsford Theatre and the wider city council to elevate this year’s event.”

Garry Ormes, Chair, Essex Pride

Councillor Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Deputy for Cultural Services at Chelmsford City Council, which operates Chelmsford Theatre, is pleased to see support for Essex Pride expand:

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“Essex Pride and Chelmsford City Council are both committed to the same mission: to promote tolerance, embrace equality and celebrate what makes us different across our communities.

“Now in its 22nd year, the annual Essex Pride March and Festival is a cherished event that Chelmsford is proud to host every year and I’m delighted that, as part of its role as a cultural hub for the city, Chelmsford Theatre is playing a central role in shaping this year’s Pride experience. We’re excited to see Chelmsford present a bigger, bolder and better celebration of Pride in Essex than ever before.”

Councillor Jennie Lardge, Cabinet Deputy for Cultural Services, Chelmsford City Council

All are invited to gather at Marconi Plaza by Chelmsford Theatre for the Pride March from 10am on Saturday 20 June. The march will depart at 11.30am. It’s free to join, the route is accessible, and all are welcome to take part.

Annual Pride Festival returns to Central Park

The Pride March will arrive at the Pride Festival in Central Park at midday. This year’s event features a fabulous lineup of artists and DJs performing live over two stages, including headliner Natasha Hamilton of Atomic Kitten and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK star Danny Beard. Plus, Essex Pride will be celebrating 70 years of the Eurovision Song Contest with previous UK winner Katrina from Katrina & The Waves performing live!

There’ll also be a live Cabaret stage, celebrating local artists and showcasing new talent; a silent disco dance tent and karaoke stage; as well as plenty of stalls, licensed bars and food traders.

The Essex Pride Festival is a ticketed event, with this year’s tickets managed by Chelmsford Theatre’s box office: www.chelmsfordtheatre.co.uk/events/essex-pride-2026

Those also taking part in the Pride March can collect pre-booked festival tickets from Chelmsford Theatre on the morning of Saturday 20 June to secure fast-track entry to Central Park.

More Pride celebrations coming to the city this year

Glitz and Glamazons at Chelmsford Theatre

Beyond Pride month, Chelmsford Theare’s year-round Glitz and Glamazons programme of events continues to champion LGBTQ+ communities throughout the year with a sparkling array of drag acts, queer comedy and tribute shows.

The theatre's 2026 Glitz and Glamazons programme includes The Dazzling Diamonds and Christopher Hall

Coming up in late May is a brand-new comedy variety drag show from The Dazzling Diamonds. In July, An Evening of Burlesque Cabaret comes to the theatre, featuring dazzling showgirls, specialty cabaret artists, and stars of the stage and screen. Later into October, the popular Fanny Galore will be back with her Big Bingo Party, and comedian Christopher Hall returns to the theatre with his latest standup show – Pizazz.

Chelmsford Theatre Director, Rhys Thomas, says the latest partnership with Essex Pride is a natural extension of Glitz and Glamazons:

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“Celebrating Chelmsford’s diverse community sits at the heart of our mission. Through Glitz and Glamazons, we’ve been championing drag artistry, queer comedy, and LGBTQI+ storytelling on our stages. This collaboration with Essex Pride allows us to take that energy beyond the theatre walls and deepen our connection with the communities we serve.”

Rhys Thomas, Director, Chelmsford Theatre

LGBTQIA+ sessions at The Art Place

Throughout the year, The Art Place also hosts regular LGBTQIA+ meet ups where individuals can find a safe space to connect with others and get creative together. The sessions run every first Sunday of the month from 1-3pm at The Art Place in The Meadows Shopping Centre. It’s free to come along and you can bring something arty or crafty along to work on, join others in a new creative project or simply come along for a chat.

In the run up to Essex Pride 2026, the group sessions for May and June will focus on designing and painting your own colourful placards to bring along on the Pride March. Materials are provided for free, but you’re welcome to bring along your own supplies.

Check out what else is coming up at The Art Place on their Eventbrite.

City centre window murals from Chelmsford For You

Chelmsford For You will also be marking Pride month once again with colourful murals in shop windows across the city centre this June. Designed and painted by local creatives, these celebratory and educational artworks will be on display along the Pride March route, creating a visual representation of Chelmsford’s support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Previous Pride window murals.

Pride exhibition at the Artists at the Meadows

Once again, the Artists at the Meadows will be making Pride their exhibition theme for June. This temporary display will share the stories and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate love, identity and connection through artworks by local artists. The exhibition is free to visit in June and you can even buy some of the artworks on display.