Ilkley Pride 2025 celebrates historic success

Monday, 7 July 2025 15:41

The Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group organise the annual Ilkley Pride

Ilkley Pride 2025 has been celebrated as a landmark event for the town, once again drawing record crowds and showcasing a strong spirit of inclusion, unity, and celebration.

Held on Saturday, June 28 at the picturesque King’s Hall and Winter Garden, the festival welcomed attendees from across the north of England.

The day featured a vibrant mix of entertainment, community engagement, and emotional moments, highlighted by the final ever performance from the beloved Joze School of Dance, whose farewell appearance brought heartfelt applause and standing ovations. Other standout acts included local singer Dan Hatton, high-energy performances from Subrosa [picture below], and appearances by drag artists and community choirs who kept the energy high throughout the day.

A spokesperson from Ilkley Pride & Diversity Group said:

“This was more than just a Pride celebration - it was a historic day for Ilkley, from unforgettable performances to the overwhelming support from our community, this year’s Pride will be remembered for years to come.”

Dan Hammond, one half of the performing duo Man Cave said:

“The Pride event at the King’s Hall and Winter Gardens is an annual joy for me now. The diversity of people there is glorious and it is so heart-warming to see that everyone is welcome and involved.”

[Entertainment included Bosom Buddies]

The family-friendly event also featured a Youth Zone, Wellness Area, and a number of stalls showcasing LGBTQ+ owned businesses and wellbeing info.

Your Ilkley Radio was a proud sponsor and breakfast show presenter and content director Nick Hancock commented:

“We are delighted to support Ilkley Pride & Diversity and hope everyone enjoyed this year’s Ilkley Pride and associated events. It’s important that we are all able to come together to celebrate, honour and show our support for the LGBT+ community."

[Joze School of Dance dances during the afternoon]

Backed by Ilkley Town Council, Ilkley BID, Ilkley & District Round Table alongside dozens of local businesses and volunteers, the event demonstrated the town’s growing commitment to LGBTQ+ equality and visibility. Feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, with many describing the atmosphere as “uplifting,” “joyful,” and “truly inclusive.”

Organisers have confirmed plans are already underway for Ilkley Pride 2026, promising to build on the momentum of this year’s extraordinary success.