Brighton Pride: Numbers down amid train chaos and Storm Antoni

Fifty years after the first Brighton Gay Pride march in the city, Brighton and Hove Pride defied the wind, rain and travel disruptions to return for a weekend packed full of campaigning, protest and partying in equal measure.

But the defiant spirit was not enough to counteract strong winds, torrential rain and train cancellations to and from Brighton on Saturday due to a driver overtime ban.

• Read more: Rail firm 'set on ruining Brighton Pride' with cancellations, union claims

Pride managing director Paul Kemp said: “Following a challenging year for Brighton and Hove Pride, we were incredibly proud to see the LGBTQ+ community, our allies and the amazing people of Brighton and Hove come out in force to celebrate and enjoy a safe and happy Pride.

The parade went ahead despite the miserable conditions (Image: Chris Jepson)

“Sadly, initial figures show, due to the well-publicised transport disruptions and last-minute extreme weather forecasts, attendance across our events was down by 50 per cent.

“Whilst feeling incredibly grateful to the support of our city and multi-agency partners that help make the event happen, there is no denying the impact of not having rail transport into our city, especially when the weather deteriorated.

"We’ll certainly have to work hard to overcome the significant challenges in delivering Pride 2024.”

Under this year's theme "dare to be different" more than 100 local charities, community groups, small businesses, essential blue light services and LGBTQ+ figureheads such as Dame Kelly Holmes and Eddie Izzard graced the streets of Brighton and Hove for the annual community parade.

Despite the wind and rain community spirit was at an all-time high as participants and the public marched from Hove Lawns to Preston Park on Saturday morning.

The parade set off from Hove Lawns (Image: Chris Jepson)

At Preston Park, the community fundraising event Fabuloso drew thousands of people attend on Saturday to see the Black Eyed Peas, Bellah Mae, The Blackmordia, Mae Muller who strutted out on the catwalk in the pouring rain, Jax Jones, Confidence Man, Dylan and pop sensation Zara Larsson take to the main stage.

Across the park, revellers enjoyed a fiesta of diverse LGBTQ+ artists and immersive experiences from Legends Cabaret Big Top, Queer Town and The Cocoa Butter Club and were treated to performances from the likes of Honey Dijon, Monki, Patrick Wolf, Gok Wan, DJ Paulette, Lynks and more.

The sun came out in full force on Sunday, with a day of back-to-back 90s and 00s nostalgia with Steps’ only UK performance this year.

Sunday also saw Tom Aspaul, Harleymoon Kemp, a denim clad B*Witched, The Vivienne, Louise and Melanie C.

In a bid to increase numbers at Fabuloso on Sunday, Pride offered a limited number of free Sunday general admission tickets to people who had a Saturday general admission ticket or wristband.

Over in Kemp Town at the Pride Village Party businesses in St James’s Street and Marine Parade brought the party for an unforgettable weekend to raise extra funds for the Brighton Rainbow Fund and the Pride Social Impact Fund.