Below are some hopefully helpful answers to questions people may ask about Essex Pride.

Getting to Essex Pride

Where is Essex Pride being held?
The festival is held in Central Park, Chelmsford (CM1 1JJ).

The What 3 words reference ///scenes.bonds.option will take you to main entrance to the festival.

You cannot drive on to Central park but it is easily accessed via paths that come directly from the town centre and side roads around the park, all of which are step free.

More information on how to get to Essex Pride can be found here

Coming into the park

How do I pick up my ticket?
You will need the ticket email from theticketsellers.co.uk.

This will have your tickets which will be scanned on entry and exchanged for the correct wristband.

I am over 18 but do not have any I.D. can I come in/ can I drink alcohol?
We operate a Challenge 25 policy. Everyone (over 18) must have ID to prove their age.
If you do not have valid ID you may come in but will be issued with and under 18s wristband and will not be able to purchase or consume alcohol on the premises.

Date of Birth to be 18 must be on or before 21st June 2007.

Can I bring in a bag?
You can bring in a bag / backpack; however, it will be subject to a search by SIA security guards.

We encourage you not to bring large or bulky bags as these take a long time to be searched and slow down the entry process.

Can I bring in a chair to sit on?
You may bring in a folding/ collapsible chair; however, you may be asked to move it should you be blocking the stage viewing area too much.

You may also bring in blankets to sit on.

Can I bring in alcohol?
No: as part of our licence all alcohol must be purchased from one of our licensed bars.

Can I bring in soft drinks?
Yes, but they must be in unopened plastic bottles or cans. No glass is allowed on site.

Can I bring in food/ picnic?
Yes you can bring in your own food.

Please check you do not have alcohol or glassware or metal knives.

Can I go off site if I need to (e.g. to get more cash or to meet a friend)?
Yes, as long as you keep your wristband on you will be allowed to re-enter the park.
You will be subject to security checks again before you re-enter the park
If you lose your wristband or take it off, you would have to purchase a new one at the full gate entry price.
Re-entry is at the discretion of our security team, and may be refused if you appear intoxicated through alcohol or drug use, or are rude/ abusive.

Can I take my drinks out of the park with me?
No: this is part of our licensing.

What is the latest I can come into the park?
Last entry is at 8:00pm. (Note: All the acts will be finished by 8:15pm only the pride stage DJ and silent disco will still continue.)

Facilities and support

Are there cash machines on site / cashback available?
There are NO cash machines or cashback facilities on site.
There are cash machines in the town centre or at the bus station and railway station.
Card payments for drinks are available at both bars and most vendors (we encourage contactless payment).

Where are the toilets?
Toilets are located to the Right of the festival stage and also near cabaret stage.

Are there disabled / accessible toilets?
There are accessible toilets at both sets of toilets.

Are there separate gender toilets?
All our toilet facilities are gender neutral: individual cubicles.

I am a carer for someone, can I get in for free?
Yes, but you must have carers wristband and are not allowed to purchase/ consume alcohol for your own consumption: You may purchase alcohol for your client if they are over 18. To find out more, click here

Is there an accessible viewing?
There is raised accessible viewing area near to the festival stage.

Does Essex Pride cater for people who are deaf or hard of hearing?
We will have a BSL interpreter on the main pride stage for most performances.

What should I do if I become physically or mentally unwell during the event?
Please seek out our first aid tent, there is fully trained on site first aid and a breakout space provided for some respite. This is provided by Elite Care Medical.

Where is lost and found?
During the day lost and found will be at the Main Bar.

I am bringing my family / younger children with me. Can I leave them with the circus skills and in the family zone (Pop’n’Olly)?
You must supervise younger children yourself (under 13s) and they should not be left unsupervised in the family zone or at the circus skills area.

What time is X act onstage?
You can see the running order in the digital pride programme here.

Can I go backstage to see an act?
No, your wristband only gives you access to the main park.

The March

I am going on the march: where do I meet up for the start of the march?
The meeting point for the march is at pop world in the town centre (Springfield Road)

What time does the march set off?
The march is leaving from Pop world at 11:20am and should take about 30 minutes.
Meet at Pop world from 10:00 am

Can I get changed for the march when I arrive/ will there be facilities at the meet up point?
Pop world will be open to provide a place to get changed and use their toilet facilities etc.

If I attend the march, do I still need a ticket to go into the Essex Pride event?
You will need to either purchase a ticket online before the day (advanced ticket pricing) or pay full price on the day.

I have already bought my ticket: how will I pick up my entry wristband?
We will be sending up a ticketing team to the meet up point at Pop World.
We will aim to get wristbands to as many people as we can before the march sets off. Given the numbers we are expecting at the march you may need to get your wristband at the park.

You will still need to pass through security before you enter the park though.

Park Map