Civil Service LGBT+ Network at Darlington Pride 2025

This event page has been updated on 4 July 2025.

Darlington Pride Weekender takes place between 09th to 11th August 2025.

Saturday 9th August - Parade commences 12.00 hrs, traverses Horsemarket, High Row, Bondgate, Skinnergate and Blackwellgate. Main Event 12.00 to 18.30 Market Square with live music, tribute acts, street theatre food and drink, information stalls and activities

There is also a quieter family-friendly pride picnic with crafts, face painting and live music on Sunday 10 August, 10.00 to 15.00 at Hopetown Darlington, McNay Street, DL3 6SW, members to make their own arrangements to attend. It is a free event but you will need to book a ticket and this can be done via the Hopetown website

And a Mongay Pride Social event on Monday 11th August, please sign up separately for this event on the CSLGBT+ website.

Saturday

For the Saturday parade meet up with Martin at the muster point outside the Darlington Economic Campus by 11.30 at the latest ready to move on to the Market Square ready for the parade at 12.00 or alternately if you are would like to start early with a Pride breakfast Martin will be in Spoons HQ (the William Stead, 8 Crown Street, DL1 1LB)

or make your own way to the Market Square which is the official muster point for 12.00 hrs and try and find our group resplendent in our pink Civil Service T Shirts and/or possibly carrying a banner along with hundreds of others.

After the parade we would love to hold people together to take a group photo provided everyone gives consent. We will inform people of where on the day.

After the parade and photo, you are free to enjoy your time at the main event.

T-shirts may be provided while stocks last as per the registration form which the organisers will bring with them. Wear comfy clothes including shoes, as it can be long day.

Feel free to bring your own face paints and flags, bubble gun blasters are also welcome. Anything rainbow themed etc would be brill but if you are wearing fancy-dress, please respect the CS code of conduct.

Rules of the day

Saturday Please remember that we are marching under the CS LGBT+ Network Banner, so please respect the CS code of conduct. – Whilst you may wish to attend wearing your CS T-shirt, please consider whether you will need a change of top for post parade.

There is a 3-year Public Spaces Protection order in force relating to the consumption of alcohol in specific areas within Darlington and the police or council enforcement officers may issue a fixed penalty notice, thus drinking alcohol whilst on the march is not recommended.

Food and alcohol can be purchased from authorised vendors in the main arena and also from the pubs and shops surrounding the Market Square.

There are no bag checks so you can carry what you want, dogs are welcome but should be kept on a lead and may be scared with the noise

Camp chairs (and straight chairs!) are allowed if you can find room, some chairs are provided if you get there early

If you have access or needs, please make yourself known to a steward at the event info points. The area is cobbled in places.

Accessibility Guidance

There are no accessibility problems envisaged. The main arena will be accessible but is cobbled in places. There will be accessible toilets located behind the market hall, also in the dolphin centre and the dreaded Portaloos may also be available

British Sign Language interpreters for all performances and speeches which take place on the Arena stage. Get help from Number Forty Number Forty, on Skinnergate, is open from 9pm-3am on Friday and Saturday nights, and MonGay nights from 9pm-12am to provide help to anyone who feels vulnerable, unwell or has been victim of a crime.

Please note that the start time of this event is currently showing as 1200 - this will be adjusted when plans for the day are finalised. It will be noted here when details are final.

The Civil Service LGBT+ Network are planning to attend Pride celebrations at this location. Details for the day will be confirmed here closer to the time.

Registration is open and this is done by one form per event.

If you realise you can no longer attend this event then please do get in touch with your local organiser. All of our people are volunteers, please be patient if you do not get a response straight away.

For any other queries in relation to the Civil Service LGBT+ Network Pride 2025 activities please email the pride co-ordinator - pride2025@civilservice.lgbt.

It is important to remember that at Pride events were are representing the Civil Service and must act in accordance with our rules and code.