Grampian Pride will return to Aberdeen this weekend.
Thousands will march down Union Street on Saturday, May 27 to celebrate the 20th pride event to take place in the Granite City.
Attendees are being encouraged to “just be yourself”.
It is the sixth Grampian Pride event in the city and follows Aberdeen Pride, which was first started in 2003.
Since then, the event has only got bigger, with members of the LGBT+ community expected to show their pride.
The centre piece of the celebrations is the Pride Parade which will journey from Holburn Junction to Marischal Square from 11am to noon.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary, the Pride Village will be held in Duthie Park, with Basshunter headlining the event beginning at 4pm.
Official sponsor Cheerz bar and club will host the bar at the event and the closing party on Sunday.
The village is open from 1pm until 8pm, with stalls such as Aberdeen City Fostering, Rape Crisis Grampian, and Aberdeen Foyer.
‘Remember our history, celebrate our present and embrace our future’
Many stalls will offer advice and support on issues affecting the LGBT+ community in the north-east.
Aberdeen’s big letters at the Castlegate will be lit up with the colours of the rainbow from Friday and be part of a Find the Rainbow hunt around local landmarks.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We’re anticipating a busy weekend in the Silver City. The sun is set to shine, and the streets are bound to be full of colour for this Saturday’s Grampian Pride parade and event in Duthie Park.
“We’re delighted to be able to use the city’s big letters to show our support for the LGBTQ+ community.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the rainbow version of the big letters popping up on social media as the region turns out to celebrate Grampian Pride.”
An official disco after-party is a new addition to this year’s event to be hosted by Greigsy from Northsound 1 with performances from Gareth Gates and The Cheeky Girls.
More events in the north-east
The event follows similar pride events that have been taking place across towns in Grampian, including the new Stonehaven event in April.
More pride events are planned in June and July in Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Huntly.
Deejay Bullock, event manager, said: “We are delighted to be delivering the sixth Grampian Pride event for our community and their allies.
“Pride started as a protest so it’s important as a community we remember our history, celebrate our present and embrace our future.
“That’s why this year we are extra excited to be welcoming Matt Middler back to Pride as keynote speaker, having been part of the original Aberdeen Pride team 20 years ago.
“It’s people like Matt and his team that paved the way for future generations”.
Due to the parade several roads in the city centre will be closed throughout May 27, and can be viewed here.
Grampian Pride is organised entirely by volunteers and free to attend, with tickets available here.
Conversation