Honouring The Vivienne.
Milton Keynes Pride Festival 2025 Honours the Vivienne, Global Drag Icon, with a Memorial Installation in Milton Keynes.
MK Pride Festival 2025 will pay a heartfelt tribute to drag artist The Vivienne (James Lee Williams), a global drag icon, with memorial installations celebrating his life, artistry, legacy, and the work of his family’s newly launched charity.
From 28th August - 14th September 2025, The Vivienne’s costume will be on display at Hotel La Tour’s - Sky Bar Fourteen, overlooking Campbell Park. The display is fully accessible, offering visitors a reflective connection to the festival and The Vivienne’s artistry.
During the festival on Saturday 13th September 2025, James’ sister, Chanel, will host a talk and Q&A at the Community Tent, sharing memories and raising awareness for The House of The Vivienne CIC - providing free, accessible drop-in services for people and families affected by ketamine use.
Visitors will also have the opportunity to support the charity and contribute to vital fundraising efforts, helping the family expand its important work.
At the heart of the tribute is a memorial wall installation, giving the community a meaningful way to engage. Festivalgoers can leave a message on a brick, become part of the story, and help build The House of The Vivienne, creating a living memorial that honours James Lee Williams’ life and drag legacy while supporting his family’s charitable mission. Together with the costume display, these installations provide accessible, reflective spaces for remembrance, connection, and contribution.
Keith Emmett III, Director of Milton Keynes Pride Festival, said:
This year, MK Pride is creating installations at the festival that offer the community truly meaningful ways to celebrate the life and global influence of our dear friend, James Lee Williams, known to the world as The Vivienne.
She opened and closed our Main Stage in 2019, connecting with the local community, and later that year was crowned winner of the very first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, building connections across the UK and beyond. On the day of the festival, visitors can leave a message on a brick, becoming part of her story and helping raise funds for the newly launched charity, The House of The Vivienne, honouring their legacy.
Alongside this, one of her iconic costumes will be on display at Hotel La Tour, overlooking Campbell Park. This tribute highlights MK Pride’s dedication to inclusivity, remembrance, community engagement, and charitable impact, giving fans and friends the opportunity to honour an icon while supporting a vital cause.
