Milton Keynes Pride returns with Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle and tributes to The Vivienne
Alongside Coyle, performances will come from Booty Luv, Seann Miley Moore, Mary Mac, Sam and the Womp, Lordin, and more
By Callum Wells
Nadine Coyle will lead the line-up at Milton Keynes Pride Festival when it returns to Campbell Park on Saturday 13 September.
Running from 12pm to 10.30pm, the free event is promising its biggest celebration yet, with both Santander (headline sponsor) and Volkswagen UK (Main Stage sponsor) celebrating five years of continued sponsorship
Alongside Coyle, performances will come from Booty Luv, Seann Miley Moore, Mary Mac, Sam and the Womp, Lordin, and more. Drag favourites Baga Chipz and Brenda LaBeau will also appear with special sets, while Donna Marie and Cheryl Hadley will perform as Lady Gaga and Kylie Minogue respectively.
Keith Emmett III, director of Milton Keynes Pride Festival, said: “MK Pride exists to be free, inclusive, and accessible – a space where everyone can be seen, heard, and celebrated. This year, it’s our privilege to honour the life and legacy of The Vivienne – with love, respect, and pride – while proudly supporting the charity created in her name and raising vital funds for its work.”
Day and night
Hosted by Ella Morgan and Austin Armacost, the programme is split in two. Pride by Day (12pm–6pm) will create a family-friendly atmosphere with entertainment suitable for all ages, including a dedicated Kids Space and Community Tent. Pride by Night (6pm–10.30pm, strictly over 18) will bring a bolder edge with drag, comedy, and high-energy music.
Run by Queer Comedy Club, the Comedy Tent, will showcase names including Mark Bittlestone, Christopher Hall, and The Traitors star Hannah B.
Honouring The Vivienne
The festival will pay tribute to The Vivienne, who made their Pride debut in Milton Keynes in 2019 and was due to return this year.
With the involvement of their family, MK Pride will feature a memorial space for reflection, while their sister Chanel will host a talk and Q&A in the Community Tent. One of their costumes will also be displayed at Hotel La Tour’s Sky Bar Fourteen in the weeks before the festival, overlooking Campbell Park.
Funds raised will support The House of The Vivienne, a CIC set up by their family to provide free drop-in services for people and families affected by ketamine use.
Elsewhere, the festival features a funfair for all ages, food and drink stalls, and vibrant bars serving cocktails and Pride-themed refreshments. Over 50 independent LGBTQ+ traders will fill the Rainbow Market, offering everything from crafts to clothing.
For anyone needing a break from the crowds, a fully accessible Sensory Space and Welfare Zone provide calm, low-stimulus areas with support, water, and safe spaces to rest.