Kendal Pride’s first procession took to the streets this weekend, painting the Auld Grey Town rainbow.
Thousands of people took part in events and activities across the weekend, with live bands, drag performers and students from Kendal College performing at the Pride Village.
It was the fourth time the festival took place and this year’s theme was ‘this is home.’
Sally Lofthouse-Jones, chair of Kendal Pride, said: “The way Kendal has come together for Pride this year has been phenomenal.
“It shows solidarity. It shows love. And it shows that ‘this is home’ for everyone.
“Kendal Pride wouldn’t happen without the artists who perform on our stages, the volunteers who give their time, the team behind the scenes, our sponsors and partners, and of course the people who join us to enjoy the weekend – thank you. See you in 2027.”
The procession set off from the Birdcage in the town centre and made its way along the riverbank to Abbot Hall, with Drum Nation leading the way.
Once again the festival took place at a range of venues and the Pride Village took over the grounds of Abbot Hall on Saturday and Sunday, with live bands, drag performers and a host of stalls and free activities.
As well as cycles, walks and open water swims, visitors brought their dogs along, taking part in a special proud pooches dog show on Saturday in collaboration with Animal Rescue Cumbria.
This year, the festival commissioned two new pieces of performance work by Cumbrian artists Deborah Beckett and Amy Clark, both of which were on show over the weekend.
Plus, two queer visual artists – Mathew Wayne Parkin and Miles Dyson – were commissioned to have their work shown in Abbot Hall until the end of June.
Grants from Arts Council England, Kendal Town Council, Kendal BID, the National Lottery Awards for All, and sponsorship from Westmorland Farmshop, TryBooking, Herdy, Douglass Grange accountants, Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake, Comida, MJW Audio, have all helped to make the programme possible.
Kendal Pride 2027 will take place from Friday June 11 to Sunday June 13.
