
Kendal Pride has revealed its full weekend line-up as organisers prepare for a bumper second year.
The annual event – billed as ‘pride done differently’ – will offer everything from yoga and voguing, activities for children and young people and film screenings, and much more besides.
Plus, for the first time, there will be live music and entertainment on an outdoor stage during the afternoon and early evening. Kendal Pride will run from Friday June 14 to Sunday June 16.
Jamie Hooper, chair of the organising group, said: “We’re delighted to share the programme for Kendal Pride 2024 and we hope that everyone, no matter who they are or how they identify, can find something for them.
“We believe in ‘doing pride differently’ and we think the programme reflects that, making the most of our beautiful outdoor spaces and offering an engaging and artistic range of things to experience.
“We hope faces old and new will join us for what’s sure to be a joy-filled and celebratory weekend.”
Ahead of the weekend itself, there’ll be a special performance of one-woman comedy theatre show It is what It is. created by Cumbrian-born theatre-maker Kyra Scott.
On Friday June 14, the programme will kick off with a series of short outdoor and adventure films, curated by Kendal Mountain Festival, at the Brewery Arts Centre, followed by three late-night £2 entry performances.
These include a Queer Variety Show created by Lancaster-based Queer By Gum at Ye Olde Fleece Inn, a Karaoke Micro-Party hosted by drag queen Patty Dale at About Time Espresso Bar, and live music from queer indie band Tote at 98 Highgate.
On Saturday, June 15, the Pride Village will move to its new home at Abbot Hall, offering eco-arts activities for families with Ragtag Arts, a range of stalls and food vendors, and entertainment from 1pm, including from Kendal-based band Bossyking.
Those with four legged friends can join in with the inaugural Kendal Pride Proud Pooches Dog Show in collaboration with Animal Rescue Cumbria, which will see rosettes awarded for the Best Bitch, Best Six Legs and Handsomest Boy from 2.30pm.
Rounding off the day, Kendal Pride will also present its first ever Festi-Ball – a fusion of the glamour of ballroom and the weirdness of northern festivals.
The two-hour family-friendly party will take over Abbot Hall bowling green from 5pm to 7pm and will include ceilidh band The Weirdstrings alongside performances from students from Kendal College.
In the evening, revellers can celebrate pride in style at the Big Pride Party at Bowness Bay Brewery’s Venue, with drag queens Nova Gina and Britain’s Got Talent star Ruby Sinclair, plus drag king Andi Blewitt, with tickets already selling fast.
As well as the village, there’ll be a host of activities for adults across Saturday and Sunday including free walks, runs, cycles, Zumba, yoga, swims, and workshops on voguing and drumming.
Abbot Hall will also be displaying artwork including a radical photographic series by artist Claude Cahun – a pioneering artist who rejected the narrow confines of gender. And, as part of the Kendal Pride celebrations, students from Kendal College will take visitors on guided tours of the exhibition.
Helen Stalker, associate curator for Lakeland Arts, added: “At Abbot Hall, we are creating spaces for people to come together, find inspiration and engage with art. We are delighted to host Kendal Pride Village this year and support the LGBTQIA+ and local community in celebrating everyone who makes the town what it is.
“During Kendal Pride, there will be a programme of fun activities and events for people of all ages and Abbot Hall will be showcasing the incredible work of gender defiant artist Claude Cahun.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone to Abbot Hall for this vibrant community celebration.”
Kendal Pride has been funded for 2024 by Arts Council England, National Lottery Awards for All, Kendal BID, Kendal Town Council, Cumbria Fire, Police and Crime Commissioner, and is sponsored by Herdy, the Westmorland Family, Douglass Grange and Anord Mardix.
Tickets for the Big Pride Party, Queer Variety Show, Karaoke Micro-Party, Tote Live and Kendal Mountain Festival Queer Films are on sale now.