Sherborne Pride - We Choose Love

Sherborne Pride returns for its third year on Sunday 28 June 2026, bringing a vibrant celebration of community, inclusivity and love back to Pageant Gardens in the heart of the town.

In July 2024, something very big happened in a very small town in the South West of England. Sherborne held its first Pride: a celebration of love, a stand against discrimination, and a moment for the town to come together in solidarity with its LGBTQIA+ community.

Two years on, Sherborne Pride has grown into a cherished and important part of the local calendar. For 2026, organisers have announced the festival’s campaign theme: “We Choose Love.”

Running from 10:00 to 21:00, the day will begin with a colourful Pride Parade through Sherborne, before continuing with an all-day “Party in the Park” at Pageant Gardens. Visitors can expect a packed programme of entertainment and activities, including live music featuring 2025 standout star Reigns, comedy from Dolly Parton tribute act The Double Dollys, plus cabaret, drag, musical theatre, community stalls, family-friendly activities and more.

“At a time when hate feels loud, these moments of joy and solidarity matter more than ever,” says Hannah Buttriss Fell, Founder & 2026 Lead. “Pride is a party, yes, but it is also a protest and a powerful act of community. With ‘We Choose Love’, we’re making a clear statement about the kind of town we want Sherborne to be: kinder, braver and welcoming for everyone.”

The theme We Choose Love is intended as a hopeful rallying cry in a world that often defaults to fear and division. It reflects the organisers’ belief that love is not just a feeling, but a decision made together every day: to show up for one another, to keep each other safe, and to stand against the injustice many LGBTQIA+ people and other marginalised groups still face.

“We Choose Love means standing together as a town, visibly alongside our local and global LGBTQ+ community, and all those pushed to the margins,” adds Hannah Wilkins, Founder. “It says, loudly and proudly, that in Sherborne no one should have to hide who they are to belong.”

Sherborne Pride is entirely volunteer-run and deeply rooted in the local community. From school kids to queer kids, and everyone in between, the event invites residents, businesses, schools, faith groups and visitors to come together and help build a town where the next generation grows up knowing they are free to be themselves—and loved for it.

Event Website:
Sherborne Pride - We Choose Love