Bath Pride.

About Bath Pride

Bath Pride is a volunteer-run, community-led celebration and a registered charity. Its 2026 day combined a march through the city centre with a free festival, Pride in the Park, in Sydney Gardens. The organiser describes it as a quieter, more grounded alternative to larger Pride events, with space to sit, picnic and go at your own pace.

2026 was its third year. The theme was “Stand Up, Show Up”, a call for solidarity with the trans and non-binary community. Pride began as protest and the fight for equal rights, and Visit West described the 2026 march as a protest as well as a celebration.

A Visit West report published after the event said organisers called it their biggest turnout yet. It gave no overall attendance figure.

When and where

Bath Pride 2026 took place on Saturday 22 August 2026. The march gathered at Kingston Parade, beside Bath Abbey, and finished at Sydney Gardens. Pride in the Park ran there from 1.30pm until 9pm, according to the organiser. The official afterparty followed at Komedia, 22–23 Westgate Street, from 11pm.

Sydney Gardens is the park behind the Holburne Museum, at the end of Great Pulteney Street. The organiser’s map page lists several entrances, including Beckford Road, Sydney Place, Sydney Road, the canal path and the Holburne entrance.

An April 2026 Visit West preview said the festival would start at noon. The organiser’s own pages gave 1.30pm, which is the time we use here. Past dates have varied: the 2025 event was on 26 July. No 2027 date had been published on the organiser’s website when we checked.

Bath Pride march route and start time

In 2026, marchers mustered at Kingston Parade from 11.30am. The march introduction was at noon, and the organiser expected to reach Sydney Gardens at about 1pm. Individuals did not need to sign up. Group applications closed before the day.

The organiser’s route ran from Abbey Square via Stall Street, Cheap Street, Orange Grove and Grand Parade. It crossed Pulteney Bridge, then followed Argyle Street, Great Pulteney Street and Sydney Place. It finished at the Holburne Museum in Sydney Gardens. Marchers used the right-hand pavement of Great Pulteney Street.

Visit West reported that the 2026 march held a minute’s silence before setting off. Groups taking part included Bath Mind, the National Trust and Bath Roller Derby.

The march terms said there was no entry fee and under-16s had to be with a responsible adult. Political groups were not allowed. Fireworks, sparklers, naked flames and motorised vehicles were banned.

Where to watch

Pulteney Bridge and the wide pavements of Great Pulteney Street are natural places to watch. Kingston Parade suits seeing the march set off. These are our suggestions based on the published route, not reserved viewing areas.

Bath Pride free events and what’s on

Entry to Pride in the Park was free, with no ticket needed. The organiser relies on donations, and Visit West reported more than £700 raised on the day.

The 2026 day stage featured family-friendly acts, including drag, music, dance and a panel on intersectional identities. From 6pm, a Late Stage hosted acts the organiser described as better suited to an adult audience. There was also a Traders’ Village, charity and community stalls, a wellbeing hub and a family zone with lawn games and face painting.

Food traders included Son of a Bun and Kim Sweetness. The Cub and Bar Nova ran bars.

The afterparty

The Big Pride Disco at Komedia ran from 11pm to 3am, with last entry strictly at 12.30am. It was 18+ only, and valid photo ID was required. Tickets were sold through Fatsoma. Visit Bath listed them at £6; the organiser’s page gave a discount code but no price. Half of discounted ticket sales went to Bath Pride.

Bath Pride travel and getting there

Bath Spa station, on Dorchester Street, is the main station and is run by Great Western Railway. It is in the city centre, south of Kingston Parade. Allow extra time to cross the centre on foot to Sydney Gardens.

The organiser said these roads would close from 11.30am to 1pm: High Street, Bridge Street, Cheap Street, Orange Grove, Grand Parade, Pulteney Bridge, Argyle Street and Johnston Street. Junctions with Great Pulteney Street and at North Parade were also affected. It warned of some bus disruption during those times.

If you drive, the council says Bath’s Park & Ride sites are open 24/7, with charges. Check the bus timetable for your return, as the event finished in the evening. We could not find any special late trains or event buses for 2026. Check the last train to your destination before setting out.

Where to stay

Bath is compact, so a central hotel lets you walk between the march, the park and the afterparty. Great Pulteney Street sits right on the route, while the Abbey area is ideal for the start. Check cancellation terms while the 2027 date is unconfirmed.

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Accessibility

The organiser says it provided BSL interpreters for all stage acts and additional accessible toilets for all genders. It also offered quieter areas of the park, wellbeing officers and first aid. Red wristbands showed you did not want to be photographed. White wristbands helped protect children and vulnerable adults.

The organiser published maps marking uneven paving, steps, benches and seating, plus an accessibility guide for Sydney Gardens. Its march page warned of uneven paving near the Abbey, on Cheap Street and just inside the park entrance. It also noted potholes, bollards and a few dropped kerbs. A ramp led from the Holburne Museum into the site, on either side of the main stairs. Toilets near the route included SouthGate, Parade Gardens, Henrietta Park, the Holburne Museum and Sydney Gardens.

We found no mention of a Changing Places toilet or a reserved viewing area on the organiser’s site. National Rail lists step-free access to all platforms at Bath Spa, with lifts and accessible toilets. For questions, email the organiser at hello@bathpride.org.

Frequently asked questions

More Pride planning

Compare dates in the Pride calendar or browse the regional guide. For a bigger city Pride nearby, see our Bristol Pride guide. If it is your first time, read the first Pride guide and our wearing and packing guide.