Essex Pride March 2026

On Saturday 20th June 2026 the Essex Pride March will return to Chelmsford.

  • The march is free to attend and join, has an accessible route, and will take around 30 minutes to complete.
  • Join us as we form up together at the march starting point at The Marconi Plaza, Chelmsford Theatre, from 10am. The march will set off at 11:20am.
  • Anyone who intends to enter the ticketed Central park event, and has purchased tickets already, will be able to collect wristbands at Chelmsford Theatre before the march sets off. This will fast-track your entry in Central Park.

If you have any questions, please email march@essexpride.org

 

The March Route

The march will set off from Marconi Plaza, right beside Chelmsford Theatre. The Theatre will open its facilities and café to everyone taking part, helping to create a welcoming, party-like atmosphere from the very beginning. Expect live entertainment, music, and a lively build‑up before the march begins.  

Cheryl Hole to lead Essex Pride March

This year’s enhanced route will see participants head down Duke Street, led by Chelmsford’s RuPaul’s Dragrace star, Cheryl Hole, before joining the top of Chelmsford High Street at Tindal Square. From there, the march will continue through the city centre and finish at the main Pride Festival site in Central Park.

Essex Pride Chair, Garry Ormes, said all the team at Essex Pride are very proud to be partnering with Chelmsford Theatre for the march, as part of the 2026 Essex Pride celebrations:

“The Pride march provides a platform for LGBTQ+ individuals to be seen and recognised, challenging stereotypes and promoting acceptance.

Essex Pride is a fun, safe and inclusive event for for the whole community to join together and celebrate. The march itself signifies the start of the pride celebrations and we can’t wait to work with Chelmsford Theatre to elevate the march for 2026″

Garry Ormes – Chair of Essex Pride

Chelmsford Theatre Director, Rhys Thomas, says the partnership is a natural extension of the venue’s Glitz and Glamazons creative programme.

“Celebrating Chelmsford’s diverse community sits at the heart of our mission. Through Glitz and Glamazons, we’ve been championing drag artistry, queer comedy, and LGBTQI+ storytelling on our stages. This collaboration allows us to take that energy beyond the Theatre walls and deepen our connection with the communities we serve.”

Rhys Thomas – Chelmsford Theatre Director