Oldham Pride to celebrate 20th anniversary with huge party this weekend

Oldham Pride turns 20 this year and will mark the occasion with a huge party featuring entertainment from local acts, musical performances and drag shows on Sat 20 Jul.

Kicking off the festivities, there will be a huge parade from Billingtons at 12pm to the Queen Elizabeth Hall. The parade will be led by a samba band followed by Oldham Pride with Fifi Olivia The Pink Owl and many other organisations, mascots, acts and representatives from local groups.

The party then continues at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, with an afternoon of family fun, featuring a variety of entertainment and activities led by Oldham Play Action Group (OPAG).

Other highlights include singer Samm Hewitt, Violet Blonde with special effects, singer/songwriter, Nicole Green and country singer, Niall Barnes.

Pennine Mencap will also bring the sounds of their Rhodes Bank choir to help support the charity, along with Gabrielle Gee, an Oldham-born indie folk singer-songwriter.

There will also be a Sunday service at Oldham Parish Church the following day, as well as an artisan market and live music at Billingtons.

Cllr Peter Dean, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities and Culture said: “The LGBTQ+ community is an integral part of Oldham, and I am delighted that this event is taking place in our town centre.

“We aim to ensure that everyone who identifies with this community feels included, accepted, and valued.

“Join us for a weekend full of celebration and fun. Oldham Pride has organized a fantastic lineup of acts and activities for the event, bringing our community together and celebrating our place in the borough.”