Once again over this May bank holiday weekend Birmingham has played host to 70,000 people each day at the UK’s largest 2 day LGBT Pride Festival.

Despite cuts to funding by Birmingham City Council a parade of floats and walkers kicked off the weekend on Saturday from Victoria Square, winding its way around the city centre to the delight of thousands of tourists, shoppers, and pride revellers.  The streets were packed with people, some of whom got more than they bargained for from a quick trip to town – queue the Go Go Boys, and Samba Band.

The main stage, compèred by the delightful Chris and Steve from Gogglebox, played host to a myriad of performers including headline acts such as Jess Glynne, Jimmy Sommerville, Boney M, Example, Union J, Atomic Kitten and many many more.  Seeing Boney M on the main stage made our day, with confetti cannon a brilliant touch for their closing number – Rivers of Babylon.

The cabaret tent, outrageously compèred by Sandra and Tilly, saw over twenty foul-mouthed and hilarious acts insult the audience and each other, sometimes while spraying pyrotechnics gleefully towards the baying crowds.

A highlight for me was the roar of the crowd in the cabaret tent as the result of the Irish referendum on Equal Marriage was read out.  It reminded me that though this may be an event for celebration of the equality that the LGBT community has in many countries, that there are millions of people worldwide who are still persecuted for being gay, and who are unable to publicly love those whom they want to love.  On a brighter note, another highlight was Sebastian, a member of the audience who seemed to spend as much time on the stage being adored by various cabaret acts, as off it, and at one point literally stole the show by virtue of having possession of the microphone and the drag act’s wig.

A picture can paint a thousand words, so take a look at the below to see the fun we, and everybody, had over the weekend.  There were some pretty impressive costumes on various visitors, including the centurians, and a couple who wore matching outfits on day one and different matching outfits on day two.  Not to mention the elegant ladies in black dresses and pearls à la Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and an array of drag queens.

Well done Duncan from @brumyumyum getting some wicked street food stalls to the event.  The truffle oil, parmesan, and parsley fries from Fancy Fries were frickin’ amazing, and the beef brisket from White Heat Street Meat was also awesome.  Better than a dirty burger any day!

Next year’s dates are already announced as Saturday 28th May and Sunday 29th May 2016.  Get booking your hotels now!  Thanks to the Pride team who delivered a super, fun, and safe event once again.