All you need to know about Cambridge Pride

Hundreds of people are expected to descend on a city as the gates to its Pride festival open.

The annual event that celebrates the LGBTQ+ community was first hosted in Cambridge in 2019 and will return on Saturday at Jesus Green.

The free festival is organised by charity Pink Festival Group and artists, such as folk singer Maddie Morris, will perform throughout the day.

So, if you are heading to this year's Cambridge Pride, here is everything you need to know.

Many towns and cities host Pride events, often in June which is Pride month, and Cambridge is no exception.

Adam Olivant, who has been involved in Cambridge Pride since its first festival, said it would be a "family-friendly community event".

It will take place on Jesus Green in Cambridge at 12:00 BST and start with a parade.

This year's festival will see performers, including drag artists and local bands, take to the main stage, DJs spinning the hits in a dance tent and a "community hive" offering yoga sessions and comedy acts.

"Regardless of whether you are part of the community or you're an ally, we recommend you come down and enjoy the day with us," said Olivant.

Pride is a celebration of people coming together in love and friendship, to show how far LGBTQ+ rights have come, and how in some places there is still work to be done, Olivant added.

After leaving Jesus Green at 12:00, the parade will move through Lower Park Street, Park Street, Round Church Street, St John's Street, Trinity Street, Market Street, Sidney Street, and Bridge Street, before returning to Jesus Green.

Those roads will be closed until 13:00 while the parade takes place.

The afternoon's festivities start as soon as the parade returns to Jesus Green, where cabaret performer Alexa Vox will be hosting the main stage from 13:00.

Other performers include boy band Lightlines, who are fronted by The X Factor star George Shelley, and headliner and Grammy-nominated dance vocalist Kelli-Leigh.

Jesus Green is about a 35-minute walk from Cambridge railway station.

Local bus operator Stagecoach will be running free shuttle buses between the station and the festival, leaving at 10:15 and 11:15 and returning at 16:00 and 17:00.

If you are driving, there are several nearby public car parks and there are five park-and-ride stations serving central Cambridge.

We do not want to jinx it, but if you are hoping for a nice day - you might be in luck.

On Friday afternoon, BBC Weather was predicting a fairly warm Saturday with sunny intervals and a moderate breeze and a top temperature of 20C (68F).

Do not forget that sun cream!

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