GUIDE: Here's what to expect from Pride today

Saturday 16 September 2023

As this year's Channel Islands Pride gets underway, Express has compiled a handy guide of all the details – including the route for the parade, performance set times, and insider gossip from some local drag queens...

This weekend, Channel Islands Pride is taking place in Jersey, after Guernsey hosted it last year. Thousands will turn out to the parades, parties and concerts to celebrate and be proud of our diverse community.

Get the inside drag scoop

Ahead of the big celebrations, Express caught up with three drag queens: Paige Three, Flesh, and Bonny Bon Wee.

Two are full-time performers from the UK, hired for the weekend’s festivities, while Bonny – known in the daylight as Government employee Helier de la Haye – is Jersey-based.

In this Pride-themed edition of Bailiwick Podcasts, they chat about how the drag scene compares between Jersey and London, how far we have come with tolerance and how far there still is to go.

Looking ahead to the weekend, the Pride line-up kicks off with Jersey's Pride Parade march, followed by Pride Village performances and celebrations at People's Park throughout the day, with a special Pride Afterparty at the Royal Yacht in the evening.

How is the venue laid out?

Pictured: The map of Pride Village, which can be found in People's Park.

The Pride Village will feature stage performances, a silent disco, an art exhibition, a family and wellbeing zone, a pet station, and plenty of food and refreshments. 

What is the route for the parade?

• The 2023 Pride Parade will begin from Royal Square at 13:00. Please gather from midday.

• The Parade leaves Royal Square via Peirson Place (adjacent to the Peirson public house), turning left into King Street and continuing down the pedestrian precinct.

• The Parade will take the right fork at Charing Cross. At the Town Hall the 50m rainbow flag and 50m Flag of Flags will be unfurled and carried along The Parade as far as Parade Gardens.

• The Parade will then travel through Parade Gardens, turning left down towards the corner of Kensington Place and Elizabeth Place.

• The Parade will turn left down Kensington Place, and then right at the junction with Kensington Street, travelling up Kensington Street to the junction with Peirson Road, where it will cross into People’s Park.

The parade will feature live entertainment, with a sing-along setlist accompanied by local artists and bands scheduled all throughout the march.

Director of Channel Islands Pride, Christian May, said: "The parade gets to the heart of why we celebrate: it’s an opportunity for the LGBTQ+ community to be visible, without fear, and a reminder that the first Pride was a born from protest, as a march for freedom and equality.

"We chose to cancel our parade in 2022 due to the sad passing of Queen Elizabeth II, and previous events were impacted by COVID, so this will be the first Pride Parade since 2019!"

What's on at the Main Stage?

What's on at the Cabaret Stage?

What's on at the Silent Disco?

What's on at the Family Zone?

What's on at the After Party?

Where can I find out more?

To find out more about the 2023 Channel Islands Pride Parade, entertainer line-up, Pride March, and celebrations in People's Park and Victoria Park, click HERE.