Croydon Pride 2023

Come hang out in Wandle Park at Croydon Pride 2023 or parade with us into the park, at the second-biggest Pride around London! Visit our stall!

If not parading/stall setup, sign up (EventBrite, see below) to get in!

Less corporate, more community than the big one; no parade floats. A stage of live acts, cabaret, and a Community stage with talks. An empowering, uplifting, confidence-building experience. Meet other bi+/queer locals! Its a FREE event in its 6th year. We're more noticeable in smaller-scale, friendlier, more community-focused Prides like this.

Parade info below, then Festival/stall info (help wanted).

⚫ Agenda:
11:30am: Meet outside Marks and Spencer, North End, with banners,placards,flags,badges,pride outfits - whatever you have. Look for bi flags/umbrellas/banner. Prep! (arrive by 11:50)!
12:00ish: Parade, led by mayor, & Park Festival start
~12:45-1pm: Parade enters Wandle Park festival via footbridge
8.30pm: close

We march with our GIANT (5 meter) Bi flag. If enough of us, with the giant pansexual pride one too (needs 6-8 more of us); otherwise banner(s), a flagpole, placards, flags (we can give/sell some flags). Vote with comments/likes, for the big pan flag.

MARCH ROUTE (*=busier sections):
From M&S on North End to Wandle Park (croydonpride.org.uk/be-part-of-pridefest/parade-route/):
Past North End shops *, right onto Church Street * (along tram lines) - height restriction for safety (lower any tall banners/flags), under Jubilee bridge past the main road Roman Way (A236), into lower Church Street, left into Waddon New Road *. Finally over the dual carriageway footbridge (narrow, & steps), to Wandle Park.

⚫ Festival:

• From 12pm. Music, food, drink, craft/community stalls+us, kids entertainment, main+community stages.
• Heather Small (ex-M People) 'moves on up' to headline; also Krystal Versace & Danny Beard (both Drag Race): bios (schedule links at top of bios)
• Asifa Lahore/Shepherd's Bush host main stage; Faye Wheeler/Merlin the Grey, the community stage

Official After Party (other venues run nights too) at BoxPark Croydon, 7pm by Stanley Arts (charity for marginalised voices).

⚫ Tickets:
Parading? Your wristband covers entry (be on time!). Otherwise register, FREE (barcode checked at gate):
https://croydonpride.org.uk/pridefest-2023-tickets/

⚫ Our Stall:
We'll talk to visitors, offer stickers,info,bi/pan ribbon, be visiBle; & sell:

• Books: Bi the Way, & Purple Prose
• Flags: Biscuit's new Progress Bi one + regular bi/ pan/ omni/polysexual, & intersecting identities like trans/nb/ace: large(cape-sized 3'x5'), some in handheld too(6"x9")
• Biscuit are here too! Badges e.g. "Gold Star Bisexual", "Bi and Mighty" +other items

Donate too! (card/cash), sent to BSN after costs.

Can you help our stall (12pm on)/setup (10.30am)? Hang with us; meet LGBT-friendly folk, ice-breaker ready (e.g. leaflets/stall-related); help our community! I offer badges/flag/facepaint for extended help, travel cost help if needed.

⚫ General:
WEAR: pride encouraged! Bi colours=pink/purple/blue. Plan for weather & security (e.g. sealable pockets/bags, sunhat).
BRING: consider water/snacks/sunscreen/hat, umbrella/parasol - or to hide under, flags/badges, any medication needed. Our stall/online shop sells flags; we bring some for marchers too.
Don't bring alcohol, drugs, glass, dogs (guide/assistance ok).

Local shops open normal hours; most til 5-6pm.

John's old Pride Tips page.

⚫ Travel:
Festival=Croydon Wandle Park (CR0), NOT the Colliers Wood one!
TfL zone 5.
🚉Train: East (step-free)/West (nearest parade) Croydon stations, via Clapham Junction,Victoria,London Bridge (➡West Croydon),London's east end, or Highbury & Islington. Check last trains!
🚋 Tram stops: stations & Wandle Park (far side) - ramp up to bridge into park.
🚌Bus: to high street: 3/57/75/109/…
to Park: 157/264/407/410/455➡Rectory Grove, then stepped footbridge
🚗Road closures may delay vehicles >10am: Fell Road & Mint Walk 7am til Sunday. Advise public transport, nearby parking limited (town centre best).

⚫ Accessibility:
website (BSL for stage,quiet tent,viewing platform,disabled toilets). Earplugs @ our stall.
Questions? [info@croydonpride.org.uk](mailto:info@croydonpride.org.uk).

⚫ More Info:
Event created by (gay) mayor, 2016.
Web: croydonpride.org.uk
Facebook: CroydonPrideFest
Socials: @CroydonPride (Twitter/Instagram)