Diana Ross And RAYE To Headline Brighton Pride 2026

Brighton & Hove Pride is set to mark its 35th anniversary in grand style this summer, with legendary diva Diana Ross and chart-topping sensation RAYE confirmed as the festival’s headline acts. Organizers announced on February 4 that the two-day event will return to Preston Park on the weekend of August 1 and 2, 2026, promising a celebration that honors the rich history of Pride while spotlighting some of music’s most celebrated talents.

For the LGBTQ+ community in Brighton and far beyond, this year’s Pride on the Park carries extra weight. Not only does it commemorate 35 years since the festival’s founding in 1991, but it also pays tribute to decades of activism, resistance, and unity under the banner of this year’s theme: “The Power of Love.” The annual LGBTQ+ Community Parade will kick off the weekend, honoring the Sussex Gay Liberation Front—whose early efforts in the 1970s laid the groundwork for what would become one of the UK’s most iconic Pride celebrations.

The headline acts are nothing short of dazzling. Diana Ross, at 81, will make her long-awaited debut at Brighton Pride, closing out the festivities on Sunday, August 2. According to the festival’s official announcement, this is a UK live show exclusive, and fans can expect a setlist brimming with timeless classics. Ross’s performance promises to include anthems like “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough,” “Endless Love,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” and the enduring queer favorite “I’m Coming Out.” As the BBC notes, Ross first rose to fame with The Supremes before embarking on a solo career in 1970, amassing a catalogue that spans generations and genres.

Ross’s legacy is hard to overstate. Organizers highlighted that she has achieved over 100 million streams, downloads, and sales worldwide, and has collected more than 19 major awards. Among these are two Grammy Lifetime Achievement Awards, a Golden Globe, a Tony Award, seven American Music Awards, and a Guinness World Record for the most chart hits by a female artist—with over 75 singles to her name. She’s also been inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and is one of the rare celebrities to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As Brighton & Hove Pride managing director Paul Kemp put it, “Welcoming the incomparable Diana Ross as our Sunday headliner as a UK live show exclusive is a dream come true. Her legendary voice and catalogue of hits will be an unforgettable moment in Brighton Pride history.”

On Saturday, August 1, the spotlight will shine on RAYE, the London-born singer-songwriter whose meteoric rise has been nothing short of extraordinary. RAYE is no stranger to the Brighton Pride stage, having performed there in 2018 and 2022, but this year marks her first time as a headliner. Since her last appearance, RAYE has become a global phenomenon, making history at the 2024 BRIT Awards by winning six trophies in a single night—the most ever for any artist. She’s also racked up a Mercury Prize nomination, three Grammy nods, and was named the 2024 Ivor Novello Songwriter of the Year.

RAYE’s debut album, My 21st Century Blues, reached number two on the UK Album Charts and topped Spotify’s Top Albums Debut, cementing her reputation as a powerhouse of modern pop and R&B. Her sophomore effort, This Music May Contain Hope, is set for release in March 2026, and Brighton Pride attendees will be among the first to hear live renditions of its tracks. Her setlist is expected to include viral hits like “Escapism,” her UK number one “Where Is My Husband!,” as well as fan favorites “Prada,” “Hard Out Here,” and “The Thrill Is Gone.” As noted by Attitude magazine, RAYE’s journey from Brighton’s queerest stages to international stardom has been “nothing short of extraordinary.”

“We are beyond thrilled to welcome the phenomenal RAYE and the iconic Ms. Ross as our Pride on the Park 2026 headliners,” Paul Kemp said in a statement echoed by multiple outlets. “Having first graced our stage in 2018, RAYE’s journey over the past nine years has been nothing short of extraordinary. This year promises to be truly momentous—a joyous celebration of inclusivity, unity, and pride, and one we cannot wait to share with you.”

The festival’s roots run deep. Organizers are using this milestone year to reflect on Brighton’s pioneering role in LGBTQ+ activism. The Sussex Gay Liberation Front, formed in 1971, staged the city’s first “Gay Day” in 1972 before organizing Brighton’s first Gay Pride march in 1973. While it would be nearly two decades before the festival returned in 1991, the spirit of those early activists endures. “This anniversary invites us to remember the courage it took to be visible, during years when showing up at all was an act of resistance,” said the organizers, as reported by Brighton and Hove News. “We honor those early activists and acknowledge how their bravery and unity carried us all forward.”

Brighton & Hove Pride isn’t just a party—it’s a vital fundraiser for the LGBTQ+ community. Through its Pride Social Impact Fund, Pride Cultural Development Fund, and Pride Solidarity Fund, the event has raised more than £1.5 million for local charities, community groups, and projects to date. This ongoing commitment ensures that the festival’s impact extends far beyond one weekend each summer.

The lineup for 2026 is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting in the festival’s history, with further acts and dance tent performers to be announced in the coming months. Previous headliners have included the likes of Mariah Carey, Girls Aloud, Mika, the Black Eyed Peas, Steps, Kylie Minogue, and Britney Spears—underscoring Brighton Pride’s reputation as a premier destination for both music lovers and advocates of equality.

With the combination of star power, historical significance, and community spirit, tickets for Brighton Pride 2026 are expected to be in exceptionally high demand. Fans eager to secure their spot can sign up for the pre-sale via the official website, with general sales to follow soon after. Organizers are encouraging early registration, given the milestone nature of this year’s event and the draw of the headline acts.

As the city prepares to welcome thousands of revelers, the excitement is palpable. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of Diana Ross, a new devotee of RAYE, or simply eager to celebrate love and unity, Brighton & Hove Pride 2026 promises to be a weekend to remember—one that honors the past, celebrates the present, and looks boldly toward the future.