Colchester Pride.

About Colchester Pride

Colchester Pride is a volunteer-led charity celebration in the city centre. In 2026, it combined a public march with a ticketed event at Firstsite. The gallery setting brought indoor performances and outdoor entertainment together, with a marketplace and family activities alongside the main stage.

The organiser began in 2017 and obtained charitable incorporated status in 2021. Its first march followed in 2022. Pride’s roots lie in protest for equal rights; taking that visibility through the High Street remains part of the day’s purpose.

In 2026, visitors could choose the free march or the fuller programme. Firstsite is tucked off the High Street at Lewis Gardens. The 2027 festival moves to Lower Castle Park. A city-centre room makes it easier to return on foot after the main event, subject to your own access needs.

When and where

The 2026 edition took place on Saturday 15 August at Firstsite, Lewis Gardens, Colchester, CO1 1JH. The council’s announcement gave the main event hours as 11am to 7pm. The organiser’s retained 2026 page confirms the date and venue, with indoor and outdoor activities.

The organiser has announced Saturday 31 July 2027, from 11am to 7pm, at Lower Castle Park. This tenth anniversary moves the main event from Firstsite. The organiser’s ticket listing promises main and community stages and a marketplace. The 2027 march timetable and route are TBC.

Firstsite ordinarily offers free gallery admission, but Pride was a ticketed event. Keep those two arrangements separate when budgeting. Visit the organiser’s ticket page for the next edition rather than relying on the gallery’s general admission information.

Colchester Pride march route and start time

The city council’s 2026 notice invited marchers to meet outside the Mercury Theatre from 10.15am, with departure at 10.40am along the High Street. The march was free to join. First Bus confirmed a corresponding closure on Head Street and High Street from 10.30am to 11.30am.

For watching, the published High Street stretch is a sensible place to choose a pavement position. Keep entrances and dropped kerbs open, and follow steward instructions at crossings. This is a route-based suggestion, not a reserved accessible viewing area.

The retained organiser march page no longer exposes a complete written 2026 route or finish point. Ask the organiser for the next route, assembly instructions and any group registration arrangements. Do not infer a fee or deadline from another city’s Pride rules.

Colchester Pride tickets, prices and what’s on

The 2026 programme included an outdoor Larkin Stage, local performers and emerging talent. The organiser dedicated that stage to former committee member Keith Parker-Larkin. A Family Stage used the Folly in the Minories Galleries garden, while Emotional Madness ran an auditorium takeover.

The council also listed poetry, comedy and a marketplace with support services, local organisations, food and independent sellers. Allow space in your day for these quieter conversations as well as performances. Check each programme location.

The retained ticket rules required an event ticket, including for attendees aged 13 or younger, who must come with a ticket-holding responsible adult. Its rules included bag checks and prohibited outside alcohol. Dogs had to stay on leads; only service animals could enter Firstsite’s building.

A retained 2026 ticket price was not found. For 2027, published adult prices are £6 early bird plus £0.70 booking fee, £9 advance plus £1, or £12 standard plus £1.20. Door entry is £13.50. Ages 13–17 cost £6 plus £0.70; ages 12 and under and eligible carers have free tickets. The organiser offers a hardship scheme for LGBTQ+ attendees who cannot otherwise afford entry. Ask through its ticket page rather than assuming the public march ticket covers the main event.

Colchester Pride travel and getting there

For the historical Firstsite venue, Colchester Town is the nearest station, a few minutes away along Queen Street. The mainline Colchester station is a different station; Firstsite estimates around 25 minutes on foot from there, with buses and taxis as alternatives. Check which station your ticket and service actually use.

Firstsite can be approached through Lewis Gardens or the walkway off Queen Street beside the Curzon cinema. Local buses serve High Street, Queen Street and East Hill. The 2026 march diverted many First Bus routes during the closure, so a normal stop was not necessarily available.

The organiser’s Getting Here page identifies Priory Street car park near the venue, while Firstsite also lists Britannia. Ordinary parking at Firstsite is restricted. Its four accessible spaces have a separate Queen Street approach; confirm availability and any event restrictions before driving.

Plan the return journey before entering the festival. Check the last train that reaches your destination, including connections, and leave time for the station walk. A late after-party can outlast public transport even when the main event ends earlier. For 2027, check the Lower Castle Park entrance rather than using Firstsite’s address. No extra train or closure plan is confirmed here.

Where to stay

The first two hotels are central bases near the High Street march area; St Nicholas is the budget comparison. All are in the city centre, but compare actual room rates and cancellation terms. A central address does not guarantee a step-free bedroom.

Hotel links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Accessibility

Firstsite publishes level, step-free access throughout its building, three accessible toilets, portable gallery seating and hearing loops in its cinema and meeting spaces. It offers four accessible parking spaces, accessed from Queen Street rather than through the Lewis Gardens bollards.

The 2027 Lower Castle Park listing advertises accessible toilets, BSL interpretation, step-free access and wheelchair accessibility. Free carer tickets must accompany another attendee’s booking. Contact committee@colchesterpride.com about eligibility and arrangements. A reserved viewing area, dedicated quiet room and Changing Places provision remain TBC; Firstsite’s facilities do not describe the new site.

Colchester Town has step-free access to all platforms. National Rail currently warns that its toilets are out of order, so check before travelling and plan another toilet stop. Book assistance for your return as well as arrival, particularly if leaving after the station’s staffed hours.

Frequently asked questions

More Pride planning

Browse the Pride calendar and regions guide for more dates. Our Pride in London hub covers another city visit. Read the first Pride guide and accessible Pride guide for practical preparation.