There are Pride events in every city and town everywhere in the world at some point over the summer. While all of them bring a certain liberating hedonism, none fully embrace the spirit of Pride more than Brighton. Read about my day and top tips (at the bottom of the page).

Most travel bloggers exclusively talk about far-flung exotic places to make their readers green with unattainable envy. However, sometimes what you need is on your doorstep. And isn't leaving the comfort of your own county still travelling?

I ventured into Brighton for the first time since I was a child (something I didn't realise until I hit the beach and recognised the distinctively green cast-iron ornate Victorian railings along the promenade. But this time, I was there for one reason, Pride.

You see, I'm a diehard Kylie fan. I've loved her since she was the corkscrew haired mechanic in Neighbours and stuck with her throughout the tough Impossible Princess years. An album I still maintain is brilliant.

This year, to mark 50 years since the Stonewall riots and therefore Pride, she was performing at Pride in The Park.

So on a hot August Saturday, me and my friend jumped into my two-seater; with the top down and the system blaring RuPaul, we drove to Brighton. We stayed at Alston House Hotel, overlooking the New Steine Regency garden square and across the road from the seafront. Here's the view from our hotel room window.

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The hotel is conveniently placed, as you're within the street party district, so you get access passes to go down St James's Street, a ticketed part of Pride.

Don't feel you need to get tickets to any of the events in Brighton to enjoy Pride or, indeed, Brighton. The entire city is alive with the party atmosphere. The parade starts at 11am and takes at least 3 hours to work its way around the city streets, pursued by a huge brightly-coloured, glitter-infused, risque dressed crowd. Be prepared to see the naked tits and arses of people of all shapes and sizes.

Brighton is fully prepared for this with all the alcohol, fancy dress and street food. Not to mention all the buskers and "entertainers" along the way. No space is safe from the party (said in an Adore Delano voice).


We headed to Preston Park (where I had my travel knife confiscated at security).

My top tip (for more tips, scroll down), if you're only going to Pride in The Park, go to get your wristband from the park itself. There were no queues there, whereas the ticket exchange by Old Steine Gardens (near the Royal Albion Hotel, pier and Harry Ramsden's) had a slow-moving queue that went right around the block. If you do need to queue here, bring provisions (yes, I'm talking booze).

Party in The Park is everything you'd expect from any normal festival. It has food stalls and fairground rides. The only difference is that the uniform is dragtastic and gay-fabulous. You don't have to dress up, plenty don't, and as a cis-gendered white, straight woman, I felt it wasn't my place to be "proud", but I certainly stand by the LGBTQ community, as their strapline goes #WeStandTogether.

I wasn't really interested in Kylie's warm-up acts. I didn't even realise Fleur East was a thing nor that Bjorn Again was still around. I couldn't give a rat's arse about Clean Bandit. The special guest was Emile Sande, but I was more focused on drinking wine when she came on.

Now, I'm not going to lie, by the time Kylie came on, to end her tour in style, I was three sheets to the wind. But I still remember her coming out in that eighties inspired sparkly blue jumpsuit that only Kylie could pull off. I've waited all my life for this moment and I was going to enjoy it.

There were (I think) four costume changes by the LGBT (and my) icon. And she played all her hits but mainly focused on her classic crowd-pleasers. And for those who saw her Glasto performance in the legends slot this year, all the angular, neon, kitch theatrics were all there. Including the chap who spends the set puckered up and looking more like a novelty pepper mill.

The fun didn't stop at the end. I mean the whole of Brighton had my own rendition of On A Night Like This to enjoy. But as you head back towards the town, everwhere is pumping. We went to St James's Street to partake in street party fun.

There's music coming from everywhere and there are people enjoying themselves, aggro free everywhere. However, the streets are leshi (Cypriot slang for filthy) and I unwittingly cut my feet on something. The downside of wearing flip-flips to such events, but I won't be parted from them. 

My friend took me to the St John's Ambulance hospital tent where I was seen by the most lovely paramedics, despite my protests that it wasn't that serious and there are other people who are more in need of help. I also proudly informed them that I had all my shots, except cholera*, so as long as there was no chance of that, I'll be fine. 

Unperturbed, we went back to the street party where a group of guys asked us to join their orgy. I have to say, the mechanics of this left me baffled, however, my sensible head won over my curiosity and I declined their offer. We went to bed with the sound of whistles, shouts, laughs and C&C Music Factory filling the air. 

When we checked out, the owner was dismayed, asking why we weren't staying for Sunday's party - however, in our late 30s, early 40s, it was time to have a nice cuppa and curl up in front of the telly to relive Kylie's set from the sober comfort of my sofa. 

Brighton Pride top tips:

• Get your wristband at Preston Park - queues in town are too long. If you're not going to Pride in The Park, take refreshments for the queue.
• Keep hydrated - there's a lot of alcohol on offer and it's hot so pack a water bottle and make pubs/cafes your friends.
• Forget cash - you can use card at the bars and food stands.
• It's pretty easy to smuggle in booze - just hide it really well
• Pick up your rubbish - the city is disgusting the morning after the night before, don't add to the problem.
• Forget the bus - there's a bus (costs £2.50 return) from Steine Gardens to Preston Park but because of the sheer volume of people, it's slow. Get off at the halfway point and walk, it's not that far.
• Parking and driving is fine - even during the parade, it's not easy but not impossible to drive through and find somewhere to park, I parked in Kemptown pretty easily for not about £10.
• It's family-friendly - yes, it's hedonistic and yes, some outfits are revealing, but it's perfectly fine for kids who'll be enthralled by the spectacle. They won't see anything any more naughty than any other gig or carnival you might take them to.
• Lose your inhibitions and aggression - it's a really lovely, friendly and free vibe so lose yourself in it.

* I'm now vaccinated against cholera, as it expires every two years.

Originally published 5 October 2019