Swindon & Wiltshire Pride is preparing to come back bigger and better than ever, as new dates for 2025 are announced.

On Saturday, August 10, 2024, crowds of hundreds took to GWR Park in Swindon to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride, wearing all the colours of the rainbow.

The 2024 event marked Swindon Pride's 16th year and was the first pride event to be held in GWR Park, which Lee Haire, sponsor and merchandise manager, said was an improvement on Queens Park.

"Pride is massively important - there's a lot of hate around at the moment and it gives people a day for love," said Lee.

"It doesn't matter what background you are from, everybody comes together at Pride.”

Now, Swindon & Wiltshire Pride has confirmed that it will return to GWR Park for its 2025 event, set to be held on August 9, 2025.

"A week ago today, we had an incredible time at our Pride event, so it only seems fitting to announce next year's date," said a spokesperson for the organising committee.

"We're happy to be returning to GWR Park, our new home for Swindon and Wiltshire Pride on August 9, 2025.

"Pop the date in your diary and don't miss out."

The pride march and park event draw in more and more people every yearThe pride march and park event draw in more and more people every year (Image: Dave Cox)

Swindon & Wiltshire Pride 2025 is expected to have similar events to previous years, including a loud and proud march which will go through the town centre before ending at GWR Park.

But visitors can expect an all-new lineup of entertainment acts.

Highlights from the 2024 lineup included a performance by The Cheeky Girls, Cheryl from Canada's Drag Race, West End's Aimie Atkinson and Britain's Got Talent's Fayth Ifill, as well as fairground rides and circus skills.

Despite confirming that the 2025 event will go ahead, Swindon & Wiltshire Pride is always looking for new volunteers and sponsors to help make the events as successful as possible.

The organisation is urging anyone who would like to be involved as a sponsor of Pride 2025 to get in touch by emailing sponsorship@swindonwiltshirepride.co.uk.

Businesses and local groups will also be able to apply to have a stall or be part of the entertainment, but these applications won't open until later in the year.

A statement on the Swindon & Wiltshire Pride website says: "As well as staging an annual LGBTQIA+ event, our purpose is to promote equality and diversity for the public benefit and in particular the elimination of discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity."