The countdown is on to this year's Milton Keynes Pride Festival - Here is everything you need to know...
Last year's event saw the site extended with the introduction of a comedy and kids tent. Over 16,000 people attended with families, members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies alike and footfall is expected to be even greater for 2023.
Taking place on Saturday 9th September at Campbell Park, the festival is free to everyone.
You can find the full line up for the Rainbow Stage here and the full line up for the Drag and Cabaret Stage here.
This year's event sponsors include:
- Headline sponsor Santander
- Volkswagen UK
- 12th Street
- MyMiltonKeynes
- centre:mk
- Hotel La Tour Milton Keynes
- MK Community Foundation
Pride Supporters
- Oracle Red Bull Racing
- Copart
- Butler Rose
Community Supporters
- Q:Alliance
- Parks Trust
- Woughton Community Council
- Plexus Communications
Pride Media Partner
- MKFM
Everything you need to know
Security searches will be carried out at point of entry.
No alcohol to be brought into the festival. (The festival operates a strict Challenge 25 policy across all bars and ID is required to purchase alcohol)
The festival allows one sealed 500ml bottle of water per festival goer and reusable empty flasks which can be topped up with fresh drinking water via the onsite hydration station.
Family picnics are welcome subject to a search.
Dress Code
Pride by day
The afternoon session is family friendly from 12pm to 6pm, where swimsuit coverage is a minimum requirement.
There is a strict dress code policy in place along with filtered language and lyric content during performances from artists and performers, making it suitable for families with children.
Pride by night
The evening session welcomes adults only over the age of 18 from 6pm to 10:30pm.
The dress code policy is lifted and adult-orientated entertainment and cabaret from artists, performers and comedians takes place. There are no longer language or lyric content restrictions on performances.
Registration scheme
Please note a child & vulnerable adult registration scheme will be available on the day of the festival.
On entry you will be asked if you would like to use our child or vulnerable adult wristband scheme.
You will be required to write your mobile number on the wristband provided to register. If a Child or vulnerable Adult goes missing, please go straight to the Reunite Hub, located next to the community space.
Community Tent
Every year, MKPF themes its discussions in the community tent, this year’s theme will be around mental, sexual, and physical health. Please see MKPF'S socials for full list of speakers and Q&A sessions.
Sensory Calming Tent
MKPF are proud to provide a sensory calming space for Children & Adults. The aim of the space is to provide a safe, low-level stimulation and recalibration zone for neurodivergent festival goers. This space is dark with low lighting bubble lamps to aid calming from a very busy and noisy space.
Kids space
Providing an amazing assortment of FREE entertainment, workshops, book readings, crafts and colouring.
12PM to 6PM provided by SHOWTIME CIRCUS.
Comedy
MKPF are proud to provide an impressive and diverse line up of 6 LGBTQ+ comedians provided by The Queer Comedy Club between 7PM TO 9:30PM.
BSL Interpreters
MKPF are fully committed to making sure our festival is accessible to everyone within the community. The festival will have BSL performance interpreters across both its entertainment marquees and community tent.
Accessibility
MKPF are fully committed to making sure the festival is accessible to everyone within our community. MKPF have BSL performance interpreters across both our entertainment marquees and community tent. MKPF provide braille programs, Revoloo and Disabled toilet facilities, on site medical services, wheelchair charging stations, sensory calming tent for children & adults and a dedicated accessibility entrance and exit.
Accessible Parking
There is plenty of disabled bays positioned around the centre at regular intervals and 80 dedicated parking bays in the multi-storey car park located by John Lewis & Partners.
Multi Storey Car Park: 6am - Midnight Daily.
Surface Level: Available 24hrs, free after 6pm.
Sat Nav: MK9 3QA
Buses
Cricket Green Roundabout at the bottom of Silbury Boulevard is the nearest bus stop to Campbell Park.
The following bus routes you can take to get to this destination are: 3, 3A, 7, 21, A1, A2, C10, M5
From CMK Train Station
There are direct trains from London Euston and Birmingham to Milton Keynes Central.
From there you can take the Bus Routes recommended above, take a 45-minute walk, a 12-minute cycle or travel by car which is approximately 10 minutes.
Taxi
Alternatively, local taxi companies will be aware of our event, but we suggest you also pre-arrange as we expect many people to be exiting the event together.
Please see local taxi numbers below or use the UBER app.
Milton Keynes Taxis: 01908 220022
Skyline Taxis: 01908 222111 001
Royal Cabs: 01908 444444
MKA1 Taxis: 01908 200400
AM Taxis: 01908 226666
Parking
The centre:mk multi storey car park is a 5-minute walk to the Campbell Park Plateau.
From the M1, junction 14 or the A5, take the road marked H5 (A509) and follow signs to the centre mk central shopping.
centre:mk lies between Midsummer Boulevard and Silbury Boulevard, between Saxon Gate (V7) and Marlborough Gate.
Dogs
MKPF understand very well that Dogs are a big part of the LGBTQ+ family!
PLEASE NOTE: Dogs are allowed onsite until 6PM, with the exception of (GUIDE AND ASSISTANCE DOGS) which have admittance all day. MKPF strongly recommend not exposing Dogs to any of the performance stages as these could be particularly noisy.
After parties
Milton Keynes Pride Festival have team up with to Official Pride After Parties Popworld & Revolutions Xscape.
Tickets available from the venue’s online outlets.
Pride Village
12th Street Milton Keynes is the premier location for leisure and entertainment and is once again this year’s official pride village.
Providing something for everyone from restaurants and entertainment ideal for families through to safe and exciting late-night venues for those wanting to really party!
Have more questions? Head to the MKPF website.
Headline Sponsor Santander UK Pride in Milton Keynes returns on Saturday 9th September • 12pm to 10:30pm • FREE ENTRY •...
Posted by Milton Keynes Pride Festival on Friday, August 25, 2023
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