Cardiff has a long tradition of diversity, multiculturalism and of welcoming people from around the world from different backgrounds. This stems from the industrial heritage of the city, especially throughout the 19th century, but it still lives on today.
In the 21st century, this identity and tradition manifests itself in different ways, and one of those forms is through Pride, which has become a celebration of modern Cardiff over the last 20 years, and a strong expression of Wales' diverse population in that time as well.
Pride has been a feature of Cardiff life for the past two decades, and the celebration has gone from strength to strength in that time too, becoming one of the biggest LGBTQ+ dates in the British Calendar, and one of the most prominent weekends in the Cardiff social calendar for people of all backgrounds.
Since 1999, the annual pride celebrations of Cardiff city centre have evolved, from initially a get together of 5,000 people in Bute Park to what is now a full weekend of events spanning the entire city across the August bank holiday weekend, and this year is no different. In it's early incarnations, Cardiff-Wales LGBT Mardi Gras weekend was one of the earliest regular parades and celebrations in the UK, attracting people from across the country and beyond. In 2019, it is bigger than ever before, but as other towns and cities have developed their own programmes of activity, Pride in Cardiff has taken on a more distinctively Welsh feel, in representing the diversity of the Welsh Capital and this small country as a whole.
Following some recent controversy over where and when the event will take place, Price has found a new home in the last three years on the August bank holiday, and in front of City Hall in Cardiff's Civic Centre. On top of the annual Saturday morning Parade from City Hall to the City Centre and back again, there is a series of stages, marquees and festivities taking place in the green space opposite City Hall and the National Museum in the heart of the city centre, headlined by Texas this year.
Beyond that, the bars of Churchill Way, Mill Lane, Womanby St and Mary St will all be embracing what is now one of the most significant and vibrant weekends every city for the Welsh capital, and therefore there is no better time to visit the city and see it full of colour, noise and positivity.
Sometimes when parades and festivals, sporting events and concerts come to town they can hinder the walking tour experience around the city due to the noise, the blocked streets and the overwhelming number of people in the city, but one of the more enjoyable days of conducting tours in Cardiff is during the pride parade, as it is an opportunity for any visitor to see Cardiff in its best light.
For more information about Pride Cymru and the events in the city for the August 2019 bank holiday weekend, just visit their website.
