Key Points
- London Black Pride 2025, also known as UK Black Pride, is a significant event as it is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Sunday, 10 August 2025, at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM BST.
- The event is free to attend, with a focus on LGBTQI+ communities of African, Caribbean, Latin American, Asian and Middle Eastern descent, featuring performances, talks, stalls, and workshops.
- Many afterparties will occur on the same day, usually starting at 9:00 PM, at venues like Colour Factory and The Steel Yard, with ticketed entry for attendees aged 18+.
Event Overview
London Black Pride 2025 is set to be a major celebration, marking 20 years since its inception. It aims to provide a safe space for Black LGBTQ+ individuals, with a theme of “Becoming,” symbolising growth and resilience. The event is expected to attract around 20,000 attendees, emphasising both celebration and advocacy.
Activities and Highlights
Black Pride Day will include a main stage with performances by artists such as Grammy-nominated Durand Bernarr, alongside a DJ tent featuring talents like Nqobilé and The Cleopatra Way. Community stalls, talks, and workshops will also be available, fostering engagement and discussion.
Afterparty Details
Aside from the main event, two official side parties are planned, including one starting at 9:00 PM on 10 August 2025. The Colour Factory party will offer two dancefloors with various music genres. There are other afterparties which will focus on Black queer joy with a diverse musical lineup. The Black Pride side events are for attendees aged 18+ and require tickets, with pre-sale options from £9 to £15 and door sales from £15-£25.
Black Pride 2025 – What To Expect
UK Black Pride 2025 stands as a pivotal annual event dedicated to celebrating and advocating for the LGBTQI+ communities of African, Asian, Caribbean, Latin American, and Middle Eastern descent. This year marks its 20th anniversary, a significant milestone reflecting its growth and impact since its inception in 2005.
Event Fundamentals
- Name and Significance: Known as UK Black Pride, this event is described as the world’s largest pride celebration for Black communities, emphasising its role as a global gathering. It is both a celebration and a protest, highlighting the intersection of race and sexuality.
- Date and Time: Scheduled for Sunday, 10 August 2025, from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM BST, aligning with the tradition of hosting in August, as noted in historical event listings.
- Location: The event will take place at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, a venue chosen for its capacity to host large crowds, marking the third consecutive year at this location and reflecting its growth to accommodate around 20,000 attendees.
- Entry and Accessibility: Entry is free, underscoring the event’s commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, with donations encouraged to support ongoing efforts. The venue is noted for being fully accessible, particularly for less-abled guests.
Focus and Historical Context
- Theme for 2025: Titled “Becoming,” this theme celebrates two decades of growth, resistance, love, and self-definition, as articulated by UK Black Pride CEO Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah. This reflects the event’s evolution from a small outing in 2005 to a major cultural and advocacy platform.
- Historical Growth: Originating as a day trip to Southend-on-Sea, UK Black Pride has expanded significantly, moving to larger venues like Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park to host thousands, with past events attracting nearly 8,000 annually and recent estimates suggesting over 20,000 for 2025.
Activities and Programming
The event is rich with diverse activities, designed to engage and empower attendees:
- Performances and Entertainment: A main stage will feature performances, headlined by Grammy-nominated artist Durand Bernarr, with additional acts including Nqobilé, The Cleopatra Way, Project Reese, Timon, Kaspa, Issac, Love Itoya, Armana Khan, Kaylee Golding, Ivicore, Shanay Maliya, N’nerjie, Cynthia DJ MVP, and Big John The Dj. The DJ tent will offer a vibrant mix of genres, enhancing the celebratory atmosphere.
- Community Engagement: Talks, community stalls, and workshops will provide spaces for dialogue, education, and networking, focusing on issues relevant to Black and POC LGBTQI+ communities. These activities are part of the event’s mission to foster unity and cooperation.
Connection Afterparty Details
- Date and Time: Sunday, 10 August 2025, 9:00 PM – 4:00 AM.
- Venue: The Steel Yard, 13–16 Allhallows Lane, London EC4R 3UE.
- Details: Hosted by the Connection Party, this afterparty is dedicated to Black queer joy, featuring music genres such as R&B, Amapiano, Bashment, Afrobeats, House, and Future Beats. It maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination, focusing on community and culture, with similar ticket pricing and availability as other Black Pride London events, such as DL PLUG London.
Organizational and Supportive Aspects
- Organizers and Leadership: Led by CEO Lady Phyll Opoku-Gyimah, UK Black Pride is a community-led organization supported by various stakeholders, including the Greater London Authority (GLA), which provides funding up to £20,000 annually for 2025, as part of a five-year package.
- Community Impact: The event promotes unity and cooperation, serving as a safe space for diverse identities and fostering education, arts, and cultural events. It has garnered international support, including from MPs, trade unions, and community groups, ensuring it remains inclusive and aligned with the principle of “Pride before Profit.”
Additional Notes and Expectations
- Donations and Support: While entry is free, donations are crucial for maintaining the event’s accessibility and funding future initiatives, with options available via the official website.
- Cultural and Advocacy Role: UK Black Pride is not only a celebration but also a platform for resistance against political and social challenges, as noted by Lady Phyll in recent statements, addressing issues like DEI cuts and political rollbacks.
