CELEBRATING PRIDE
IN OUR COMMUNITIES
OUT North East’s Summer of Pride Festival 2026 is a free, community-focused celebration of LGBTQ+ life, creativity and belonging and we’d love you to be part of it.
This year marks an exciting step forward. Rather than hosting separate festivals in Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead, we’re connecting these three proud boroughs through one vibrant month of Pride, events and shared experiences.
From arts and culture to wellbeing, learning and family-friendly activities, the festival will feel visible and inclusive, where everyone is welcome.
Taking place in June - recognised globally as Pride Month - the festival will create space for people to connect, be visible and celebrate together across our communities.
At its heart, the Summer of Pride Festival 2026 is about shared experiences and what brings us together.
To deliver this ambitious programme, we need your support. By partnering with OUT North East, you can help ensure the festival is free, inclusive and truly community led. Together, we can strengthen connections, support wellbeing and mark Pride in ways that reflect the diversity of our communities - creating positive, lasting impact well beyond Pride Month.
June will be bursting with Pride as Sunderland, South Tyneside and Gateshead come together for the Summer of Pride Festival 2026.
A month of connection, shared experiences and community, where everyone is welcome.
Here’s how the month will look:
30 May to 7 June
8 June to 14 June
15 June to 21 June
22 June to 30 June
We’re busy bringing the programme together, with lots planned and plenty of exciting ideas taking shape.
We’ll be sharing details and announcing events as we build up to the Summer of Pride Festival 2026.
Have an event idea and want help promoting
Get Involved in Summer of Pride 2026
There are many ways to be part of our Summer of Pride Festival 2026 - whether you’re an individual, a business, a school, or a community group.
We know that support looks different for everyone, and not everyone is in a position to contribute financially - and that’s ok.
What matters most is showing up, being visible, and standing alongside our LGBTQ+ communities.
You could volunteer your time, offer in-kind support, help at events, fundraise for OUT North East, share your skills, or collaborate with us in creative ways. Every contribution makes a real difference.
Visible allyship is just as important. It sends a powerful message that LGBTQ+ people are valued, respected and supported. That might mean flying the Pride flag, changing your logo during Pride Month, sharing positive messages, educating staff and customers, or creating spaces where people feel safe and seen - not just in June, but all year round.
Pride is strongest when it’s built together - through partnership, visibility and shared commitment.
