Furness Pride to Take Place at Barrow Park May 23rd
Furness Pride will return to Barrow on Saturday, May 23, with this year’s event taking place at Barrow Park.
The free community event is organised by Drop Zone Youth Projects and will celebrate LGBTQ+ people, families, friends and supporters across Furness. Cumbria Pride lists the event as starting at 12pm at Barrow Park, Barrow-in-Furness.
The move to Barrow Park gives the event a new setting for 2026, with organisers saying: “Pride grows where we gather — this year, that’s Barrow Park.” Drop Zone Youth Projects has also said workshops are being planned in the run-up to Furness Pride.
What Visitors Can Expect
Furness Pride is expected to include a parade, performances, street acts, stalls, competitions and workshops. Event listing details say the parade is due to start at 12pm from the front of the town hall, with the festival itself including performances, stalls, workshops and more.
The event is listed as free and not-for-profit, making it open to people who want to join the celebration without needing a ticket.
While final details may still be confirmed by organisers, the day is expected to follow the same broad aim as previous Furness Pride events: giving local LGBTQ+ people a visible, welcoming and positive space in the community.
Why Furness Pride Was Started
Furness Pride grew from a simple question asked by young people in a local LGBTQ+ youth group.
In 2019, the young people visited Liverpool Pride and enjoyed the parade and performances. When they came back, they asked why Furness did not have a similar event. That question helped lead to the creation of Furness Pride.
Since then, the event has become an important date in the local calendar. Previous years have included stage performances, public services, information stalls, workshops and art exhibitions. In 2023, Furness Pride took place in Barrow town centre on May 13.
The first face-to-face Furness Pride event in 2022 attracted more than 4,500 people, according to Drop Zone Youth Projects. The 2022 event also went on to win the Diversity Event category at the Cumbria Diversity Awards.
A Family-Friendly Day in Barrow
This year’s event is being promoted as a day for the whole community. It is expected to bring together local groups, charities, performers, families and supporters.
For many people, Pride is both a celebration and a show of support. It gives LGBTQ+ residents a chance to feel seen and included, while also giving the wider community a way to stand with them.
Holding the event in Barrow Park may also make it easier for families to attend, with more open space for stalls, performances and people gathering throughout the day.
More Pride Events Across Cumbria
Furness Pride is one of several Pride-related events taking place across Cumbria in 2026.
Cumbria Pride lists other events including the Cumbria Pride Party in Carlisle on Sunday, May 17, and Kendal Pride’s Pride Village at Abbot Hall on Saturday, June 13.
For Furness, Saturday’s event is a chance to bring Pride back to Barrow in a new location, while keeping the focus on inclusion, community and local support.
Visitors are advised to check the latest updates from organisers before travelling, as exact timings and activities may be updated closer to the event.
