All you need to know for Liverpool Pride

Liverpool's Pride celebrations start at the city's Pier Head at 11:30 BST

Thousands of people are expected to head to Liverpool this weekend for Pride celebrations, one of the highlights of the city's cultural calendar.

Local authorities have said they are expecting large crowds for the event on what is expected to be a hot weekend.

Where will the march take place?

Liverpool's Pride march will follow a new route this year, which starts at the city's Pier Head on 26 July for the first time.

Celebrations start at 11:30 BST and will follow a route that begins at the Three Graces on the city's waterfront.

It then runs along Strand Street and Salthouse Quay at the Albert Dock before ending at the M&S Bank Arena, where a ticketed event will take place at 12:30.

The new route has been designed to be fully accessible, step-free and wheelchair friendly to ensure the whole community can get involved in the celebrations, organisers said.

Liverpool's Pride march will run along a new route this year

This year's event is being run by Liverpool-based LGBT charity Sahir House for the first time.

Both Liverpool and Everton Football clubs will be present at the march, Sahir House chief executive Ant Hopkinson said "sends a powerful message of unity, inclusion and love".

This years' march will be led by a representative group of local trans community members, organised by Protect Scouse Dolls.

Mr Hopkinson said it was "not just a celebration".

It was also "a moment to reflect on the hardships faced on our communities as well and stand in solidarity together and think what can we do to support each other", he added.

What is happening at M&S Bank Arena?

The march ends at the M&S Bank Arena where an afternoon of "LGBTQ+ joy, creativity and community" is set to take place.

Among the acts at the show are House of Suarez, Joey and the Hot Tub Boys, Rainbow Chorus, Proud Marys and many other singers, dancers, drag performers and musicians.

There will also be a marketplace packed with local artists, indie makers, queer-owned businesses and services, organisers said.

Doors open at 12:30 BST and tickets cost £5.50 with a 50p booking fee.

What are other events are happening?

Elsewhere Royal Albert Dock Liverpool there will be an afternoon of free entertainment and music.

Anchor Courtyard, on the corner of Gower Street and Salthouse Quay, will be transformed into an open-air party space.

From 13:00- 16:30 there will be DJ sets playing "upbeat non-stop feel-good anthems" from on a pop-up stage.

A specially-decorated bike sound system will also cruise on a boat around the inner quay from 14:00-16:00 BST, playing music.

The Museum of Liverpool is also hosting a series of events across the weekend in partnership with Pride in Liverpool.

These include an exhibition on the life and career of the Frankie Goes to Hollywood frontman Holly Johnson.

Another is focused on finding queer community and friendship in Liverpool by Liverpool-based poet and student Cyrus Allen and Liverpool-based photographer Emily Collins.

And a special reflective service is being held at Liverpool Cathedral on Sunday at 18:30 BST to mark Liverpool Pride 2025.

The life of Holly Johnson is told in an exhibition at Liverpool Museum

How many people are going?

With thousands expected to descend on the city centre Merseyside Police have issued advice to people about how to stay safe at the event.

"Liverpool is renowned for warmly welcoming thousands of people to the city, and this Saturday is no exception as we are anticipating high volumes of people travelling to the area to enjoy everything it has to offer," Ch Insp Dave Morgan said.

He said: "Saturday is expected to be a warm day, so we urge people to be prepared for the weather, drink sensibly and please look out for each other."

"As with any large event, we remind the public to be vigilant, trust their instincts and report anything that they see that doesn't feel right

There will be some road closures in place around the waterfront and Pier Head people are advised to use public transport and alternative routes and plan their journeys.