Brighton Pride sunday: big names, bigger feels

Brighton Pride's Sunday bill mixed household names with queer history, bringing everyone together on the city's big day. The lineup included Paris Hilton, Holly Johnson, Melanie C and Diana Ross among others.

Told by Paige Turner · 3 August 2026

Brighton Pride's Sunday programme read like a pop-history primer. Paris Hilton, Holly Johnson, Melanie C and Diana Ross all appeared on the bill, joining a wider roster of acts that took the city's stages.

the soundscape moved from club-ready beats to classic soul and stadium pop. it was a night where DJ culture rubbed shoulders with Motown legacy and 80s synth bravado. the variety kept the crowd shifting and singing along.

this was spectacle and solidarity in one. pride in brighton has always been both a party and a claim to space. seeing big-name performers share that stage underscores how mainstream attention has followed decades of grassroots work.

it wasn't just about famous faces. local performers, crews and volunteers held the whole thing together. that scaffolding is what makes those headline moments possible — and what keeps pride anchored to the community it celebrates.

so yes, bring the glitter. bring the stadium lights. just don't forget why we gather. the best moments at brighton were the ones where history and joy met on the same dancefloor.