Pride event taken over by new group

Newcastle Pride will go ahead next year but will be run by a new organisation

The charity behind a city's Pride parade is handing the festival to a new organiser after 17 years at the helm.

Northern Pride has been behind Newcastle's biggest LGBT+ event since it was founded, but from next year the reins will be passed to Curious Futures.

Ste Dunn, a former director at Northern Pride, said the organisation has now ceased trading but he had "every confidence the Curious family will do an incredible job".

He said the charity was "delighted to have played a part in how Newcastle Pride has evolved over nearly two decades".

"Newcastle Pride hasn't been without its challenges, especially over the last five years - from celebrating online during the pandemic to navigating the cost-of-living crisis and even battling the extreme weather of 2023," said Mr Dunn.

"After two strong years of stability and success, now feels like the right moment to hand things over."

Ste Dunn said Northern Pride has ceased trading after 17 years

Northern Pride said it had closed all its outstanding commitments and donated its remaining £8,500 to Curious Futures.

These funds will be used to help plan the 2026 festival weekend which is scheduled for 25-26 July.

The event has been moved back a week from its usual slot to avoid clashing with the World Cup final weekend.

'Joy to watch'

Sian Broadhurst, chair of Curious Futures' parent group Curious Arts, said the takeover was a "brilliant next step" as it had already co-delivered the 2025 festival and organised events across Tees Valley.

"I was involved in the early years of Northern Pride and it has been a joy to watch the event grow into what it is today," she said.

The Newcastle festival started off as an event called Pride on the Tyne.

Newcastle Pride then launched in Leazes Park, before moving to Exhibition Park and then the Town Moor, then finally growing into what Mr Dunn describes as a "city-wide takeover".

Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgour said she was proud of how the event had evolved.

"They have pushed boundaries, overcome challenges and delivered year-on-year for the city and the region," she said.

"We need events like this to continue to drive solidarity and to raise awareness for the challenges the LGBTQIA+ community continues to face."

Follow BBC Newcastle on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.