Chipping Norton Pride will return this month for its fourth year, bringing a day of celebration, performance, community stalls and an evening afterparty to the Cotswold town.
At a glance
| Event | Chipping Norton Pride 2026 |
| Theme | Love Out Loud |
| When | Saturday 25 July 2026 |
| Day event | 11am to 5pm |
| Afterparty | From 7pm until late at Chipping Norton Town Hall |
| What to expect | Performances, market stalls, food, entertainment, raffle, official merchandise and community celebration |
| Charity | Chipping Norton Pride, registered charity number 1213065 |
| More information | Chipping Norton Pride website |
Chipping Norton Pride will return on Saturday 25 July with a theme of Love Out Loud, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community, local allies and the people who have helped the event grow since it began.
The fourth instalment of the town’s Pride celebration will run from 11am to 5pm, followed by an afterparty at Chipping Norton Town Hall from 7pm until late.
Organisers say this year’s event will be a celebration of community, visibility and allyship, with daytime performances, food, market stalls and entertainment, before the evening programme brings music, cabaret and dancing to the Town Hall.
The event has become a regular part of Chipping Norton’s summer calendar, drawing support from local residents, organisations, performers and visitors from across the town and surrounding Cotswolds.
What is this year’s theme?
The 2026 theme, Love Out Loud, has been chosen to reflect the support Chipping Norton Pride receives from the local community and the wider LGBTQIA+ movement.
The charity says the theme is also about giving that love back, by creating a celebration where people can come together, be themselves and feel part of something welcoming and visible.
Sean Vassen, Chair of Chipping Norton Pride, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be bringing Chipping Norton Pride back for its fourth year.
“Love Out Loud is about celebrating the strength, warmth and diversity of our community, whether you’re part of the LGBTQIA+ community or a valued ally.
“Each year the support we receive grows louder and this year we want to reflect that by creating a celebration that’s more vibrant, more inclusive and more joyful than ever.
“It will be a chance for everyone to come together, be themselves and celebrate something truly special.”
What visitors can expect during the day
The daytime event will include performances, market stalls, food and community activity, with organisers promising a colourful and welcoming atmosphere in the town.
There will also be a raffle, which is returning by popular demand, alongside stalls and entertainment designed to bring together residents, visitors, families, local businesses and community groups.
Chipping Norton Pride says the event will highlight the best of the town and the wider Cotswolds, with a focus on inclusion, visibility and celebration.
The event is open to people from the LGBTQIA+ community, friends, families, allies and anyone who wants to support the town’s Pride celebration.
Afterparty at the Town Hall
After the daytime celebration, guests will be able to return for an evening afterparty at Chipping Norton Town Hall.
The afterparty will run from 7pm until late and tickets are available through Chipping Norton Pride’s website.
Evening performers listed by organisers include Ada Campe, Lady B, Adam All, Apple Derrieres, Aaron Kavanagh and Sanjay, also known as Cosmic Sanj.
Chipping Norton Town Hall plays an important role in the town’s social and cultural life, with adaptable event spaces, licensed entertainment facilities, a private bar and kitchen.
Artist Luke Embden creates official Pride artwork
This year’s Pride will also include a creative collaboration with illustrator and Chipping Norton local Luke Embden.
Embden will design the official artwork and merchandise for the 2026 celebrations.
He has previously worked on community art projects in Chipping Norton, including a Town Hall window mural project involving drawings created by local residents.
The collaboration gives this year’s Pride a strong visual identity rooted in the town, with official merchandise expected to form part of the celebration.
Mayor welcomes Pride’s return
Councillor Sandra Coleman, Mayor of Chipping Norton, said it was a privilege to welcome the event back for its fourth year.
She said: “It’s a real privilege to welcome back Chipping Norton Pride for its fourth year, as it continues to grow in visibility and bring people together from across town and the surrounding area.
“Love Out Loud speaks not only to the spirit of the day, but to the kind of community we are proud to be, one that embraces diversity, champions inclusion and stands firmly alongside its LGBTQIA+ residents and visitors.
“Events like this do more than bring people together for celebration; they help foster understanding, strengthen connections, and create a sense of belonging that reaches far beyond the town itself.
“Chipping Norton and the wider area continue to show that acceptance and allyship are not just values we speak about, but something we actively live.”
Why Chipping Norton Pride matters locally
Chipping Norton Pride is a registered charity with a mission to support and empower LGBTQIA+ people in Chipping Norton and the surrounding Cotswolds.
The charity says its work includes advocacy, education, campaigning, support, events, fundraising, mental health support and building networks.
Organisers say the charity has also introduced a monthly youth group at Glyme Hall this year, adding to its wider work supporting LGBTQIA+ people locally.
The charity’s patrons include Lord Glendonbrook CBE, Martin Ritchie, Rachael Kerr and Lizzie Pickering.
For a market town in West Oxfordshire, Pride is not only a one-day celebration. It also provides a visible platform for inclusion, representation and local support in an area where LGBTQIA+ people may otherwise have fewer dedicated spaces than in larger cities.
Evening performers
| Ada Campe | Cabaret and comedy performer |
| Lady B | Evening performer |
| Adam All | Drag king and cabaret performer |
| Apple Derrieres | Evening performer |
| Aaron Kavanagh | Evening performer |
| Sanjay aka Cosmic Sanj | DJ / performer |
Planning your visit
| Date | Saturday 25 July 2026 |
| Daytime event | 11am to 5pm |
| Afterparty | From 7pm until late |
| Afterparty venue | Chipping Norton Town Hall |
| Theme | Love Out Loud |
| Tickets | Afterparty tickets are available through the Chipping Norton Pride website |
| Website | chippingnortonpride.org.uk |
FAQs
When is Chipping Norton Pride 2026?
Chipping Norton Pride takes place on Saturday 25 July 2026.
What time does Chipping Norton Pride start?
The daytime event runs from 11am to 5pm.
Is there an afterparty?
Yes. The afterparty takes place at Chipping Norton Town Hall from 7pm until late. Tickets are available through Chipping Norton Pride.
What is the 2026 theme?
The theme is Love Out Loud, celebrating community, visibility, love and allyship.
Who is performing at the afterparty?
Evening performers listed by organisers include Ada Campe, Lady B, Adam All, Apple Derrieres, Aaron Kavanagh and Sanjay, also known as Cosmic Sanj.
Who is designing the official artwork?
Chipping Norton Pride is working with illustrator and local artist Luke Embden, who will create the official artwork and merchandise for this year’s celebration.
What does Chipping Norton Pride do?
Chipping Norton Pride is a registered charity supporting and empowering the LGBTQIA+ community in Chipping Norton and the surrounding Cotswolds through advocacy, education, events, support and awareness-raising.
Where can people find tickets and updates?
Updates and afterparty ticket information are available through Chipping Norton Pride’s website and social media channels.
