The Belfast Pride parade departed from Custom House Square at 1pm on Saturday, with around 8,000 participants expected to march through the city centre over three hours.

Lynn Millar, co-chairperson of Belfast Pride, said over 80,000 people including spectators attended last year and she hoped for a similar turnout. She noted the festival has evolved to reflect a broader LGBTQ+ community and celebrated Northern Ireland and Belfast as multicultural.

This year’s theme is Love in Every Colour, which organisers say acknowledges past activists and those defending the community’s future. For some marchers the event carried a protest message. Nazir Uddin, attending for the first time, described it as a protest for freedom to be oneself without fear, adding that the protest continues until people everywhere can express their sexuality safely.

Others emphasised visibility. Erica Blake, with the ROSA Socialist Feminist Movement, said more participants mean more support for those who do not feel safe being open about their sexuality. Her companion, identified as Stephanie, said the parade promotes diversity and inclusivity.

In a change, Belfast Pride has no corporate sponsors this year. A spokesperson said the festival is funded entirely by public money and in-kind support from partners and venues, though business names still appear in the programme. The decision was made to ensure partnerships align with the festival’s charitable and community objectives.

Alongside the march, a stage at Custom House Square hosted local LGBTQIA+ performers from midday. A Pride village at Donegall Quay featured community stalls, a family area, live children’s entertainment, a picnic space, and an alcohol, smoke and vape-free zone.

The PSNI encouraged safe attendance and warned of traffic restrictions in the city centre, asking motorists to plan journeys in advance and park legally.