Kendal Pride is set to launch its first-ever procession this year.
The new addition comes as part of a growing festival programme, funded by a grant from Arts Council England.
Organisers says the event, running from Friday, June 12 to Sunday, June 14, will also feature more opportunities for artists, schools, and the community.
Sally Lofthouse-Jones, chairperson of Kendal Pride, said: "We often hear from queer people who grew up here, but chose to move away because they didn’t think they fitted in.
"But when they see pride and the community around it, they tell us that they can imagine Kendal being home for them again.
"This year, we’re putting that front and centre, and saying loud and clear that ‘this is home,’ for everyone."
The procession will begin from the Birdcage in Kendal town centre on Saturday morning and will follow the riverbank to Abbot Hall, where the Pride Village will be located.
The site will host entertainment, stalls, food vendors, free activities, and a climbing wall, with the main stage hosted by drag queen Viola from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
The Big Pride Party will return on Saturday night at The Venue, Bowness Bay Brewery, featuring performances from drag queen Aura Gasm, drag king Adam All, and vogue dancer Eric Scurato.
Sunday’s events will offer acoustic performances in the grounds of Abbot Hall.
Luis Martins, CEO of Lakeland Arts, said: "We’re absolutely delighted to be welcoming Kendal Pride back to Abbot Hall for 2026.
"At Abbot Hall, creating spaces where people can come together and feel inspired is at the heart of what we do.
"As a charity committed to making arts and culture accessible to communities across Cumbria, we’re proud to host Kendal Pride Village and celebrate the LGBTQIA+ and wider local community - everyone who makes Kendal such a vibrant, welcoming, and creative place."
In the lead-up to the event, three primary schools will be creating procession artwork and learn a song for the day.
A Drag Lab Soapbox stage will also debut on the Saturday, giving emerging performers a platform to try out new material.
Two new works will be commissioned and performed over the weekend, and two visual artists will be commissioned to show their work inside Abbot Hall.
The expanded programme is receiving funding from Kendal Town Council, the National Lottery Awards for All, and sponsors including TryBooking, Herdy, and Romney’s Kendal Mint Cake.
Volunteers will receive a Kendal Pride T-shirt and a free ticket to the Big Pride Party.
For event information or to volunteer, visit www.kendalpride.co.uk.
Share