Worthing Pride.

About Worthing Pride

Worthing Pride is a seaside celebration on the West Sussex coast. It pairs a free promenade parade with a ticketed weekend festival in Steyne Gardens. The event began in 2018 and is run by Worthing Pride Ltd. It raises money for local and national LGBTQ+ causes.

Pride grew out of protest and the fight for equal rights, and Worthing keeps that thread visible. In 2026 the parade paused at Worthing Pier for a two-minute silence. It remembered LGBTQ+ people the community has lost.

The scale is smaller than nearby Brighton, which suits a relaxed day by the sea. You can watch the parade for free, then decide whether to buy a festival ticket.

When and where

Worthing Pride 2026 ran on Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 July. Scene Magazine reported festival hours of 12pm to 11pm on Saturday and 12pm to 9pm on Sunday. A Gaydio listing gave Saturday as midday to midnight, so finishing times varied between sources.

The festival site was Steyne Gardens, a green space on the seafront near Marine Parade. Scene Magazine reported that the organiser secured a permanent licence for the gardens, allowing a full weekend. Sunday was a new Garden Party for 2026.

The event took place as planned. V2 Radio reported it as a colourful success with a packed main-stage line-up. The organiser’s website now promotes Worthing Pride 2027 as its tenth birthday. The organiser’s ticket page lists 16–17 July 2027.

Worthing Pride march route and start time

The parade took place on Saturday 4 July 2026. According to the Sussex Express, marchers assembled from 11am on the promenade at the bottom of Heene Road. The parade set off at 11.15am. More than 800 people were expected to take part.

Earlier parades started on the promenade opposite The Burlington hotel and ran east. The 2026 route passed Worthing Pier, where the two-minute silence was held. Marchers were due to reach Beach House Grounds at around midday. Attitude reported the same assembly point, start time and finish.

V2 Radio reported that the parade stayed on the promenade rather than the road. Spectators were encouraged to watch from the beach where possible. The pier area is a natural place to see the silence and the procession together. Watching was free.

Worthing Pride tickets, prices and what’s on

Unlike the parade, the Steyne Gardens festival was ticketed. Scene Magazine reported day tickets from £10 in 2026, with a low-income support scheme. Weekend tickets covered both Saturday and Sunday. Food, drink and stalls cost extra.

Saturday was the main event, with acts including Una Healy, DJ Sammy and Bones, winner of the seventh series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK. Sunday’s Garden Party leaned towards club and dance music, with Love Inc. and Rozalla among those named. Phats & Small featured in the 2026 line-up too. Scene Magazine also mentioned drag and family activities.

Scene Magazine reported that 2026 raised funds for Not A Phase, a trans charity. V2 Radio’s report named the Worthing LGBTQi+ Support Network, so the beneficiaries may have included both. We could not find published age rules, so check the ticket terms before bringing children.

Worthing Pride travel and getting there

Worthing station is on Railway Approach and is managed by Southern. From there, head through the town centre to the seafront for both the pier and Steyne Gardens. Check journey times and any engineering works with Southern before you travel.

Stagecoach’s Coastliner 700 links Durrington and Worthing with Shoreham, Hove and Brighton. Stagecoach lists buses up to every 12 minutes on that section. The N700 runs hourly through the night, which helps after a late Saturday.

Driving is harder. Adur & Worthing Councils say the Grafton multi-storey car park is closed until the site is redeveloped. We found no published 2026 road closure notice, so allow extra time near the seafront. Check last trains on the day, especially if you plan to stay until the Saturday finish.

Where to stay

Staying near Steyne Gardens means a short stroll home after the music. A West Worthing base suits anyone joining the parade at Heene Road. Book early, as July is a busy seaside month.

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Accessibility

The organiser runs an access request form for accessibility needs and medication exemptions. It says the facilities are for permanent or long-term access requirements, not temporary conditions or pregnancy. One carer or personal assistant goes free with each full-paying ticket holder, with supporting documentation. Do not buy a carer a ticket, as the organiser says refunds are not issued in that case.

For questions, email access@worthingpride.com. We could not find details of a viewing platform, BSL interpretation, quiet space or on-site accessible toilets. Ask the team about anything you need before booking.

For the parade, crowds may gather around the pier, where the silence was held. National Rail lists Worthing station as step-free to all platforms, with lifts. It also lists accessible toilets, a Changing Places toilet and Passenger Assistance meeting points.

Frequently asked questions

More Pride planning

Compare dates in the Pride calendar or browse the regional guide. Our Brighton Pride guide covers the larger event a short ride along the coast.

If this is your first Pride, read the first Pride guide. For access planning, see the accessible Pride guide.