This year’s Pride in London parade has taken over the capital with hundreds of thousands of people watching the colourful festivities.
Streets were turned into a sea of colour as the iconic LGBTQ+ event passed a string of landmarks in the capital.
Around 35,000 people have taken part in the march from Hyde Park to Whitehall.
We’ll tell you everything you need to know and bring you the best pictures as the event takes over the capital.
Scroll down for latest updates...
Key Points
- Everything you need to know about Pride in London 2026
- The best things to do in London for Pride 2026
- Comment: Let’s remember how much LGBTQ+ people give to this city
- Mapped: The complete route for this year's parade
- ‘No tolerance of hate crime’, warns Met Police
Madonna is NOT coming to Pride, organisers say
18:53 , Shaun Wilson
Pop superstar Madonna will not be attending the Pride in London event today, organisers said.
There had been speculation that the 67-year-old singer was going to appear at the LGBT+ celebration in London’s Trafalgar Square.
Pride in London posted on social media: “In response to the rumours, we can confirm that Madonna will not be appearing or performing at Pride in London.
“We have two fantastic headliners at Trafalgar Square to conclude a brilliant day of protest and celebration.”
It is understood that there had been communication between organisers and Madonna but that she was never a confirmed attendee.
The rumours were partly fuelled by Madonna's past collaboration with this year's headliner MNEK, who worked with her on her thirteenth studio album, Rebel Heart (2015).He took part in writing sessions for the album and co-wrote the track "Hold Tight" alongside Madonna and three other writers. MNEK also contributed backing vocals and verses for the track "Living for Love".
Headliner MNEK hits Trafalgar Square
18:45 , Shaun Wilson
Pride revellers were ecstatic as Lewisham’s homegrown LGBTQ star MNEK took the main stage of Trafalgar Square.
MNEK is best known for his 2020 hit "Head 'n' Heart" alongside DJ Joel Corry, as well as his singles "The Rhythm" and "At Night (I Think About You)".
MNEK is also a studio regular with some of the biggest names in music, both as a producer and songwriter, and worked on Dua Lipa’s song "IDGAF" and Zara Larsson's "Never Forget You".
Beth Ditto takes to Trafalgar Square
18:09 , Shaun Wilson
Things are hotting up on the main stage of Pride in London, as Gossip lead singer Beth Ditto takes to the main stage. The vocal powerhouse is expected to wow crowds with her dance-punk hits "Standing in the Way of Control" and "Heavy Cross".
The Arkansas-born singer has long been a champion of LGBTQ rights and was previously married to her longtime friend and assistant Kristin Ogata. She is now engaged to Gossip bassist Ted Kwo, who is an openly transgender man.
Alternative pop singer Meek, whose hits “Fabulous" and "SWIM" draw heavily from queer nightlife culture, has already performed on stage as the first special guest. Lewisham-born LGBTQ icon MNEK will headline after Ditto’s performance.
Scenes of jubilation as Pride party gets into full swing
16:56 , Shaun Wilson
There was more jubilation in central London this afternoon as thousands of Pride revellers celebrated the end of the finish line at Whitehall and took part in the festivities at Trafalgar Square.
Tens of thousands of people from across the LGBTQ spectrum are out marching today in a celebration of openness and diversity.
Marchers in high spirits as they cross the finish line at Whitehall
16:43 , Shaun Wilson
Marchers in the Pride in London parade were in high spirits as they crossed the finish line at Whitehall, having set off from Hyde Park Corner earlier in the afternoon.
Around 35,000 celebrants are understood to have taken to central London, with a parade led by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, as well as a celebration at Trafalgar Square to be headlined by MNEK, with Beth Ditto and Meek as special guests.
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NHS worker: ‘We’re more the same than different’
15:35 , Niva Yadav
“Our society is really good,” says Lee Bissett, an NHS worker who has just arrived from his night shift.
He tells The Standard: “There’s a whole lot of negativity in the news and the media, but actually ultimately, we are a good country who care and love each other.”
Ms Bissett added that everyone has a duty to “stand up for everybody” whether it’s members of the gay, trans, or Muslim communities.
He explained a lot of the hatred in London is because of people “othering each other.”
“We just need to remember that we’re actually more the same than different,” he said.
‘London is accepting of everyone’
15:33 , Niva Yadav
London Pride may take place across just a small square in the capital, but Jonny tells The Standard that today’s festivities stand for everyone around the world.
He explains: “London Pride is just acceptance for everybody around the world.
“There’s a lot of places where people can’t be gay, but London is accepting for everyone and everyone is welcome.”
He added that there is a still a lot of homophobia in the capital so raising awareness was still “important.”
People of all ages join in on London Pride
15:31 , Niva Yadav
People of all ages have joined in the London Pride festivities, including 13-year-old Marguerita.
She tells the London Standard that “Love is love and love isn’t a crime and it’s okay to be different.”
As she cheers on the procession, the LGBTQ+ Families float sails by to loud cheers from the crowd. The event has drawn in everyone from parents with newborn babies to pensioners.
‘Gay rights are being challenged’
15:28 , Niva Yadav
Connor, one member of the crowd, said: “I see [Pride] more as a protest as years go on. We’re seeing a lot more now that gay rights are being challenged, even within our own country.
“So I think it’s more important that we have events like this that act up and shout out about, you know, it’s okay to be gay!”
He added that London Pride was an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to shine on the international stage, but said there was room for the government to do more.
'Pride is an amazing celebration of inclusivity'
15:26 , Shaun Wilson
Paul is just one of the thousands who have lined the streets of Piccadilly as the parade passes the Main Stage at Trafalgar Square.
Dancing to the beat of Sir Sadiq’s float, Paul tells The Standard: “Pride is just an amazing celebration of inclusivity every year.“It just gives me such a good feeling to come down here and celebrate that London is so welcoming.”
Lib Dem Assembly group leader says: 'There is no LGB without the T'
14:56 , Shaun Wilson
Cllr Hina Bokhari wished marchers a happy pride while affirming on X: “There is no LGB without the T”.
The leader of the Liberal Democrat group on the London Assembly was filmed saying: “I hope everyone is having an amazing pride today. Pride is a fantastic celebration but it’s also a vital form of protest.
“It’s a march for visibility, a march for dignity, a march for safety, and ever since Stonewall, trans women like Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera have always been at the heart of that struggle.”
She later shared the clip on X, alongside the caption: “There is no LGB without the T.”
The caption prompted a wave of critical replies. One response stated: “You have absolutely no right to tell gay people who we may or may not politically organise with and who we have interests in common with.”
There is no LGB without the T. 🔽 https://t.co/9ZaG3mBIXZ
— Hina Bokhari OBE AM 🔶 (@HinaBokhariLD) July 4, 2026
'Trans right are being taken away' says activist
14:28 , Shaun Wilson
A gay rights activist said the Pride in London march was important with “rights being taken away from trans people” in the UK.
Speaking at the front of the parade, Julian Hows, 70, who was expelled from school for early gay rights activism in 1971, told journalists: “Pride is important every year.
“I’ve been coming to Pride marches since 1972 when the policemen outnumbered the marchers. It’s a visible display, a visible manifestation of all our Christmases, our Easters, our whatever, all rolled up into one.”
Mr Hows, who wore a rainbow-coloured waistcoat with Abseil Against Section 28 and Gay Liberation Front pins, added: “Pride is also important because it needs to have an underlying level of protest, and you can see the freedoms that we have can so easily be taken away.
“We also always need to push further because there’s always somewhere where our rights are being taken away.
“Whether it’s in this country with Reform, whether it’s this country with rights being taken away from trans people, whether it’s abroad in other countries.”
Pride marches to corridors of power in Whitehall
13:42 , Shaun Wilson
Activists are processing past Trafalgar Square and down Whitehall as part of the Pride in London march. Spectators cheered as floats full of people dancing and speakers playing music drove through central London.
Many people watching the parade were wearing rainbow colours and carried Pride flags amid chants of “Happy Pride”. Companies that have sponsored floats at the parade include Lidl, Tesco and Ikea, with the Swedish furniture brand’s float carrying the message: “Love doesn’t require instructions”.
London-based football teams including Arsenal, West Ham and Crystal Palace also had floats in the parade.
Queers for Palestine accuse Israel of genocide
13:30 , Shaun Wilson
Marchers from the group Queers for Palestine have walked down Piccadilly chanting “there is no pride in genocide”.
The 50-person group held posters accusing Israel of genocide and condemning “pinkwashing” – the accusation that Israel takes a progressive position on gay rights to improve its international reputation.
Asked why she wanted to join the group, one female marcher who did not want to be identified said: “Free Palestine.”
Waving a big flag, Arman Khan, who did not want to give their age, said they were against pinkwashing.
They said the group was getting a positive response from the crowd.
Tahir Kesai, a 50-year-old working in property, said: “We decided to march because we think it’s important to be here. We’re too passionate about this cause to not participate.”
Peter Tatchell takes aim at Fifa
13:26 , Shaun Wilson
Peter Tatchell has said Fifa is “doing nothing” about 11 countries banning gay footballers at the World Cup.
Mr Tatchell was among those at the front of the Pride in London march and carried a banner which said: “World Cup – 11 countries ban gay footballers – shame!”
The activist told the Press Association: “We’re marching in London Pride today to highlight the fact that at the World Cup, which is ongoing right now, 11 countries ban gay footballers from their team – that’s against Fifa rules, but Fifa is doing nothing.”
Speaking at the front of the march, he added: “This year’s Pride is as important as ever. Particularly now that Reform councils across the country are banning Pride flags … wanting to remove books from shelves. That is very dangerous, very threatening to all of us.”
Over 600 community groups in Pride procession
13:21 , Shaun Wilson
There are more than 600 groups joining the procession from Deutche Bank and the NHS to the Scouts and the Waterlily group supporting South Asians in the LGBTQ+ community.
An activist said: “Today’s parade really is for everyone and the atmosphere is absolutely electric.”
Thousands of Pride marchers set off from Hyde Park Corner
13:11 , Shaun Wilson
Crowds have gathered in the capital for London’s annual Pride parade.
The march set off from Hyde Park on Saturday afternoon, with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan at the front of the parade alongside his wife, Saadiya Khan. The mayor was joined by Andrew Boff, a Conservative London Assembly member, and air quality campaigner Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah.
Mr Khan said in a statement: “I’m delighted that London’s diverse LGBTQI+ communities and allies are once again joining together in the heart of our capital for our world-renowned Pride celebrations and march of solidarity.
“Pride is one of the highlights of my year and it is an honour to have been on every march since I was first elected as mayor in 2016.”
Mayor of London leads Pride procession
13:09 , Shaun Wilson
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was among those at the front of the Pride in London march.
The mayor, wearing an England football shirt, led activists in a chant of “Happy Pride” as the march through central London prepared to get under way.
The procession started at Hyde Park Corner and was moving along Piccadilly – from there, it was heading south down Haymarket and the grand backdrop of Trafalgar Square, before finishing on Whitehall.
Best pictures so far
12:37 , Michael Howie
Here are a few of the best images from the opening stages of the parade:
Sadiq Khan: We'll show the world love will always triumph over hate
12:18 , Michael Howie
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan was among those at the front of the Pride in London march.
The mayor, wearing an England football shirt, led activists in a chant of “Happy Pride” as the march through central London prepared to get under way.
Earlier, the Mayor posted a positive message on social media as he looked ahead to the event.
Today at Pride in London, we’ll show the world that love will always triumph over hate. pic.twitter.com/tVQHryZsdU
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) July 4, 2026
A look back at London Pride 2025
12:03 , Michael Howie
Here are a few pictures from last year’s event to whet the appetite:
‘No tolerance of hate crime’, warns Met Police
11:27 , Michael Howie
The Met Police has warned there will be “no tolerance of hate crime” as more than a million people are expected to descend on the capital this afternoon.
The force said the aim is for everyone who attends to be able to “safely and securely” enjoy the events.
In a statement Deputy Assistant Commissioner Jon Savell said: Mr Savell said: “Our priority is to provide a visible, proportionate and effective policing presence that is ready to respond swiftly to any incidents.
“Pride is hugely significant for LGBT+ communities and those attending should be able to do so free from discrimination, abuse or fear.
“There will be no tolerance of hate crime – we urge anyone who is a victim of it to speak to an officer immediately so we can take action.”
A reminder that information on your local dedicated LGBTQ+ Community Liaison Officer (CLO) can be found on the Met Police website.
What are the coolest things to do in London to celebrate Pride?
10:55 , Michael Howie
While Pride in London 2026 will certainly be the biggest of the festivities, Londoners will have a whole season of events to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.
From day parties to after parties, museum exhibitions, and craft cafes, there is truly something for everyone.
Get the low-down here.
What stages will be at London Pride?
10:50 , Michael Howie
There’s more to Pride than just a procession. Six stages have also been set up across the capital to host a number of acts including queer icon MNEK.
Each stage has a different theme.
* Main stage in Trafalgar Square
* Global Majority Stage in Golden Square
* Cabaret Stage on Dean Street
* Trans and Non-Binary Stage in Soho Square
* Women’s Stage in Leicester Square
* Family Area at Victoria Embankment Gardens
What is the London Pride Parade route?
10:45 , Michael Howie
The procession will walk from Hyde Park Corner in Westminster on Saturday and move along Piccadilly towards Piccadilly Circus.
Marchers will then move towards Haymarket, via Trafalgar Square, before finishing on Whitehall outside Big Ben.
It will begin at 12pm and is expected to finish by around 6pm, according to organisers.
Remember, there are also six stages for Londoners to soak in all the festivities.
You can find out everything you need to know here.
It's Pride day!
10:42 , Michael Howie
Welcome to the Standard’s live coverage of Pride in London 2026.
More than a million people are expected to descend on the capital this afternoon in celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
As well as the iconic parade, there will be a whole programme of theatre and dance, including a performance from queer icon MNEK across the festival’s six stages.
Stay tuned as we bring you all the best bits from London Pride 2026.
