Belinda Carlisle and B*Witched set for Newcastle Pride line-up

One of the UK’s largest free LGBT festivals is back with a bumper line up, celebrating 45 years of world Pride.

Newcastle Pride, which attracted more than 65,000 visitors in 2014, will return to the city’s Town Moor, from Friday July 17 to Sunday July 19, with a One Love theme marking the anniversary of the first Pride marches.

This year’s event, organised annually by charity Northern Pride, will feature headline performances by iconic Go Go’s singer turned solo artist Belinda Carlisle and 90s Irish wonders B*Witched, with Lucy Spraggan, Kitty Brucknell, Joseph Whelan and Heather Peace also on the bill.

A carnival-style parade, which last year attracted more than 7000 participants, will run from Newcastle Civic Centre to the Town Moor on Saturday July 18, with a special candlelight vigil closing the festival on Sunday July 19.

A host of food outlets, stalls and themed zones, including a family and youth area, cabaret tent, Steve Paske Health Zone and women’s zone, will be open at the Town Moor throughout the three-day festival, with additional events also taking place in pubs and clubs around Newcastle’s Pink Triangle.

“Newcastle Pride 2014 was a huge success, attracting a record number of visitors and boosting the city’s economy by more than £7.5m,” said Mark Nichols, Chair of Northern Pride.

“This year we’re sticking with the extended three day format and promoting acceptance, inclusion and One Love in honour of the original Pride marches 45 years ago.

“We hope that our bumper line-up will appeal to visitors of all ages and bring thousands to Newcastle city centre for three days of fun and live entertainment.”

Newcastle Pride 2015 is free to attend, though a limited number of Gold Circle and VIP tickets are also available. These are priced from £10 and £25 respectively and include a host of benefits such as prime viewing for live music, private toilets and faster bar access.

A series of satellite events, including a dance performance, book exhibition and film screenings is also being planned throughout July and August, with full details still to be announced.

More more information, check out the Northern Pride website, Facebook and Twitter.

For more information or to book Exclusive Gay Travel packages visit MarriottWeekends.co.uk/Pride