An honest review of Brighton Pride – Fabuloso or maybe not so?

The ups and downs of Brighton Pride’s main festival offering this year…

Firstly, I think it’s important to note that I am a 23-year-old cis straight woman. So while I do enjoy Brighton Pride, I appreciate it hasn’t been created with me in mind particularly. Having said that, it’s a massive event in my local city, and I love nothing more than getting stuck into a festival – and I’ve been to a lot in my short lifetime, both working festivals, and attending. I know what I’m talking about.

So with that in mind, let’s get into it…

For the purposes of this article I’m going to focus on the Fabuloso event, because that’s where I spent most of my time. I was born and raised in Brighton, and even spent a little while living about 30 seconds from Preston Park (where the main event is held). And over the years I’ve watched this party become a rather big deal.

I can still remember when the park had no entry fee. In those days it was a lot more about picnics and dancing. It used to be a much, MUCH smaller event back in the day, but the vibe was always amazing.

Let’s talk about the history and purpose

Brighton’s first Gay Pride march started in 1973 and until 2011, nowhere charged entry. Since the introduction of tickets, the ‘festival’ has grown massively. I guess charging people has meant they can do that.

The money doesn’t end up in the organiser’s pockets though. Brighton Pride is a Community Interest Company (CIC), meaning that all ticket revenue goes to the operational and running costs of producing the Pride Festival, the LGBTQ Community Parade, the Pride Village Party, and community fundraising.

When Fabuloso (the now name of the big ‘festival’ event in Preston Park) started up in 2020, they raised a considerable £13,000 for local LGBTQ+ charities. Fast forward to 2024 and Brighton Pride has raised a staggering £1.4million in funds for community projects, charities, and grants. Brighton Pride is a considerable player when it comes to supporting its community.

Ticket prices have unsettled visitors to Pride though, perhaps because they don’t know this. It’s not just the park that charges for entry either. St James Street, which some people refer to as ‘Brighton’s Gay Capital’, now charges entry to the street. The Pride Village Party, as it’s called, charges a fee to enter, as ‘this income is used to fund the infrastructure, to engage security, pay for policing and the event production team so that the event is managed and controlled’ (Brighton & Hove News).

I didn’t manage to get to St James’ Street this time round, but it’s always one of my favourite spots. I suspect the entry charge means that the street won’t get so madly overcrowded as I’ve seen in previous years. But anyway. Let’s talk about Fabuloso.

First time at Fabuloso

This year was the first time I’ve made it into the park since about 2009, 2010, I can’t remember exactly. They weren’t charging then though, I remember that. This year I went on the Saturday when Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Billy Porter, and Girls Aloud were headlining.

I wasn’t really sure what to expect. Walking up from Old Steine in central Brighton, it did feel like walking to a festival. But not the type I’d normally go to, more like the day ones you get in London. Once you were inside, was it like I was transported into a festival world? Did I no longer feel like I was next to London Road? Well, no, not really. But I do feel that as someone who’s spent many, many hours in Preston Park, and many, many days at festivals, I’m probably a little more judgey than the average punter on both counts.

First impressions are good though. Some of the areas were so beautiful, and once in the tents, I had a ball. I was particularly happy to see a ‘sober tent’, where no alcohol is permitted; you’re even searched at the gates. I’m not sober myself, but it was a lively tent, and a safe space for those who don’t drink.

My favourite tent by far was the Gaydio tent. I mean, I think half the population of Brighton tunes into Gaydio. I know I do, and it’s certainly always on at work. So I wasn’t surprised that it slapped. They played great tunes and had insane lasers and lights. I spent a lot of time boogieing in this tent.

There were a few bits I was surprised at though

Considering this event is by no means a new thing, I was a little surprised at some of the issues we encountered. For me, the biggest shock was the programming. Who thought it was a good idea to have DJs on at the same time as the headliners?! I walked past tents countless times to see them empty, a minuscule five people being absolute troopers and dancing for the poor DJs.

And whilst I appreciate that this is a supplier issue, the most irritating part of the festival was the leaky drink cups from the bars. Which I know sounds like an odd thing to complain about, but when you’re double parked with sticky sprite and vodkas, the last thing you want is for them to start dribbling all over you. And it wasn’t just one bar, it was every bar. At one point I’d stacked three cups under my drink to stop it leaking, and it still was. Everyone was doing the same thing, everywhere I looked, there were double stacked cups. The bars were also pretty badly stocked; mixers were very limited and nearly every bar I went to over the course of the event had something I wanted missing.

The other thing was the placement of toilets. While most of the festival was the ‘main arena’, there were more toilets placed in the outer corners, far from the main stage and the main tent, and less placed in the centre. The layout baffled me and the queues were some of the worst I’d seen, and I’ve been to a lot of festivals.

AND finally, if I really wanted to nit-pick, and especially for Brighton, I’d say there was a lack of vegan/vegetarian stalls, and as a vegan, I wasn’t hit with a wall of choice like I so often am at festivals.

With the whinging over…

Brighton Pride as always was wonderful, and I did of course have a wonderful time, both at Fabuloso, and around Brighton.

I met some wonderful people, danced my socks off, ate some delicious, vegan hotdogs, listened to some amazing music, got absolutely steaming, and was in bed by 11pm! Early I know.

With pretty much every pub, club and bar doing their own thing for Brighton Pride, if the idea of the festival isn’t for you, there will always be something you enjoy.

So, here’s the good and the bad

• Great buzz
• Amazing work done for communities and local charities
• Good music and endless places to dance
• Leaky cups and understocked bars
• 20 minute queue for a loo
• Some questionable programming

Would I recommend it? Yes, 100%. You’ll have an amazing time no matter where you end up. And it’s good to know that the money raised from the tickets to the Preston Park event help raise money for good causes.

Happy Pride people, I hope you had a wonderful time.

If you fancy going to next year’s Brighton Pride events, check out the Brighton Pride site.