We want your group and everyone watching to have a fabulous time. To do this safely each group must commit to the following guidance and specifications.

This guide has been designed based on feedback received, experience of running Pride in London, and in consultation with the Greater London Authority and other agencies. In addition to this document all groups and those with whom they attend are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct and Pride Pledge.

Pride in London is committed to creating a safe, inclusive and enjoyable experience for everyone, and we ask that all participants do the same. Failure to adhere to the code of conduct or the guidance and specification documents may result in your group being refused entry in future years.

Your parade group

Parade wristbands

For the safety and comfort of all people taking part in the parade we issue wristbands. Each person in the parade must wear an accredited Pride in London parade wristband to gain access.

The wristbands will need to be collected from our central London location. Further details will be provided closer to the date, and should be available in the two weeks leading up to the parade. The wristbands will need to be distributed and worn before arriving at the entry point. Follow us on social media to keep up to date with the latest guidance.

Children are required to wear wristbands and are considered as part of your group allocation.

Age limitations

For safeguarding reasons we have an age restriction for parade participants.

Children under 16 years old must be accompanied at all times by an adult who is responsible for their safety and welfare for the duration of their time at Pride in London.

If your group will have children in attendance, please ensure you have the appropriate safeguarding measures in place and plans of what to do if your group become separated. If you require assistance at any time, please speak with a Pride in London trained steward.

Animals & pets

Pets and animals are not allowed into the parade, except for registered assistance and support animals. The parade is a loud, busy area and there are no provisions for pet loos. Many animals who are fine in other busy situations may find this distressing.

If a member of your group is intending to bring an assistance animal, please let us know in advance of the parade and provide documentation in support of the request.

Arrival times

Pride in London is the biggest LGBT+ event in the United Kingdom, so help us to keep it moving during the day! The following guidance should be adhered to in order to help us avoid delays.

All members of your parade group must arrive together at the parade entry point during the allocated time window as advised by the organisers. This can vary from as early as 10.30am and as late as 4:00pm. Please consider this before booking a place to meet before or after the parade.

Vehicles will have an earlier arrival window than your walkers. This is to avoid vehicles moving in the form up area at the same time as walkers are arriving and preparing to start marching. This will take place from 8.30am to 11:00am.

The experience on the day is more than the march itself, it is having the chance to interact with other LGBT+ Londoners and Allies who are marching together with you. You should expect to wait between 60 and 90 minutes from your scheduled arrival time until the start down the parade route, so make the most of this time to say hello to each other!

Participants requirements

Participants must not be intoxicated by alcohol or under the influence of illegal drugs. Anyone seen taking or distributing and illegal substances will be reported to the police.

Glass bottles or drinking glasses must not be brought into the parade. Broken glass in a crowded area is a serious safety risk. Please consider the environment and select re-usable vessels for liquids.

Pride in London is all about safe self expression and participants are encouraged to express themselves through their attire. Please remember that in accordance with the law, the minimum clothing required is equivalent to standard swimwear for people of all genders.

No obscenities, offensive dress, or offensive material of and kind may be displayed or distributed at Pride in London. If you are unsure whether an item may cause offence please do not bring this as you will be asked to dispose of it before taking part in the parade.

All people in the parade need to keep moving at the parade pace and minimise gaps. Please do not stop for photos or to perform on route as this slows the parade down and holds up the people waiting to join behind your group.

Your parade group must not move down the sides or in front of any vehicles or other parade groups. This is for the safety of your group and for the pride in London volunteers. Failure to do this may result in your group being refused entry in future.

Please do not bring single use plastic to the parade. We will be providing drinking water for people in the parade in the form up area. Please remember to bring a refillable, reusable bottle to be able to collect the water we will be providing.

We will be providing bins in the form up area and clear rubbish bags. Please ensure your group keeps all rubbish to a minimum, and only leave rubbish in the areas provided. On route there will be no bins.

Limitations of activity in parade

Solicitation donations or the collecting of money is prohibited. This includes “text to donate” signs as well as cash and card payments on site.

The distribution of confetti or adhesives (such as stickers or similar) is not allowed. These add to the cleaning cost of the event, have an impact on the environment, and can lead to fines being passed on to your group from Pride in London.

Smoke, flares and pyrotechnics (smoke machines, fireworks, sparklers or stage effects) are strictly prohibited. These cause a significant risk of fire, and of smoke inhalation by parade groups and spectators.

Sampling, handing out merchandise or other items must be requested and approved in writing in advance of the parade. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Music is permitted to be played at a reasonable volume on the parade route (after the start arch and up to the finish arch), but not in the form up area or dispersal area. This is due to the close proximity of other people for an extended period of time.

General environmental consideration

The parade happens once a year, but the environmental impact can last much longer. Please ensure you ethically source materials and avoid any single use plastcs.

Please also try to recycle and reuse as much of the materials used after the event.

Parade briefing

Essential information for group leaders.

For new and returning groups, the parade briefings are there to provide invaluable information, and give you the opportunity to meet other groups and the parade team face to face.

It is very important you are given as much detail as possible on what to expect on the day, and the important deadlines where documents are needed. If you are a new group leader, or a new group in the parade you must attend a parade briefing, and ensure you are signed in as attending.

The briefings last about 90 minutes and are held virtually. There will be multiple opportunities to attend.

Design elements

What are you planning to bring to make your group stand out?

Every group wants to stand out and we encourage every group to show what they are about. The annual parade is a special opportunity to tell the wider community who you are, what you stand for, and what you are championing.

You may bring a trolley or similar to pull or push your refillable water bottles or other items for your group, but please ensure this is less than one metre long on all sides. Space in the form up area is limited and the more trolleys in production, the fewer wristbands we can issue in future.

Decorations must be firmly fixed to any trolley or carts to ensure they will not move or fall off during the parade.

All electrical items must be portable appliance tested.

Petrol generators are not allowed and may not be brought into the parade. Please use battery powered, or if absolutely essential, diesel. Please consider the environmental impact of generators.

Thank you for joining us in the parade on 1st July and we look forward to seeing you at an upcoming parade briefing.