Medway Pride CIC is funded through community donations and sponsorship. All funds go towards delivering our aims and objectives. Please donate to our Medway Pride Fund
Medway Pride CIC thank our Sponsor Partners and supporters for their help to produce Medway Pride 2025 and continue our work supporting the LGBTQIA+ Communities of Medway
Learn MoreMedway Pride 25 Parade Pride parades are an iconic historic part of any pride festival. It is a chance to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community in a fabulous display of love colour and fun. Medway Pride 25… Read More
Learn MoreMedway Pride Lottery helps to raise funds for Medway Pride CIC to put towards the cost of providing upcoming events like Medway Pride 2024, Medway Pride exhibitions, Medway Pride Radio and Medway Gender & Sexual Diversity Center which… Read More
Learn MoreMedway Pride Festival & Parade is a day filled with love, acceptance, and celebration of diversity in our community!
Sat, 16 Aug 2025 10:30 – 20:00 BST
Rochester Castle GardensCastle Gardens, Rochester, ME1 1SW
This will be the 5th anniversary of the 1st Medway Pride event which took place in 2021, the event has grown year on year, presenting award winning acts in a family friendly festival. The event also includes a Market Place where you can enjoy the Food and Bar facilities, buy memorabilia, visit service providers NHS, Police, KFRS and volunteer service providers. You can also meet representative from our sponsors and other supporters.
There will also be Medway Pride Fringe Festival events taking place between the 8th and 16th Augusts at location within the INTRA area of Chatham / Rochester and other venues within Medway, see Fringe Events for more details.
Medway Pride 25 is an event for LGBTQIA+ Famlies & Friends & supporters from across all communities of Medway & beyond. The event is organised by Medway Pride CIC a not for profit company owned and managed by volunteers.
We need to raise approximately £85,000.00 per annum to cover the cost of our annual events program and the services we provide to support the LGBTQIA+ community members of Medway and the surounding area.
These funds come in the form of grants from public and private bodies, business and private sponsors of our events and donations from members of the public.
Medway Pride CIC would like to thank all our Sponsors, Grant Providers and those who have donated to the Medway Pride Fund to make this event possible.
We want to allow as many people as possible to enjoy the event so we have placed the following conditions and ticket allocation to manage the safety of everyone attending the event.
All tickets are limited in number due to the capacity of Rochester Castle Gardens. There is a maximum of 4500 individuals allowed entry to the castle gardens at any one time. The festival stage has 10 acts over 8 hours, some early arrivals may decide to leave during the event, so we will be managing entry to the event over the day.
You can watch the parade along Rochester High Street free of any charge. You do not need a ticket to watch the parade. You do need a ticket to take part in the official parade.
You do need a ticket to take part in the parade.
If you have a ticket to enter the Castle Gardens via the security control at Boley Hill / Epaul Lane junction you can enter from 10.30am before or after the parade has passed. You wil not be able to follow the official parade past the security gate that allows entry to the castle gardens until you have been authorised by security after your ticket and any bags or containers have been checked.
We will monitor the numbers of people in the grounds and if possible allow entry as other people leave. If this occurs we may release additional tickets on the afternoon of 16th August. No entry to Rochester Castle Gardens after 7pm.
There will be two ticket types to enter Medway Pride 24 Festival available, plus the tickets to join the Pride Parade.
ADULT or CHILD £10 non-refundable donation to Medway Pride Fund, plus Eventbright transaction Fee (Under 16yrs of age will need adult supervision 18+ years to enter.)
Child (14yrs and under) £8 non-refundable donation to Medway Pride Fund, plus Eventbright transaction Fee (Under 16yrs of age will need adult supervision 18+ years to enter.) See below for more information on tickets.
The event has historically been free to attend but this year we were unsuccessful in our bids for some of the grant funding we applied for leaving a shortfall in our budget for the event.
We are therefore still seeking additional sponsor organisations and public donations to meet the shortfall amount. Organisations wishing to sponsor Medway Pride 25 or those wishing to donate to Medway Pride Fund can find more information HERE
One way we can raise funds for the event is to link the event tickets to a donation amount to help cover the shortfall in grant funding. This is a non-refundable donation made to the Medway Pride Fund. All funds raised are used to produce events and services. Medway Pride CIC is not for profit organisation we have no paid staff or employees.
Every person regardless of age will need to have a ticket to enter Rochester Castle Gardens during the event. This is to comply with safety regulations and the capacity restrictions for the venue.
Children under 16yrs must be accompanied by an adult 18yrs or older.
NO ENTRY will be allowed after 7pm,
ADULTS or CHILDREN TICKETS – Tickets this year will be linked to a £10 non-refundable donation to the Medway Pride Fund.
CHILDREN 14yrs or UNDER – A limited number of tickets for 14yrs old and younger will be available on the first ticket release, with a £8 donation fee. No further discounted ticket will be available in later releases, so when they have gone they have gone.
CARERS ACCOMPANYING PEOPLE – For information about tickets for carers accompanying people with a registered disability please read and or complete this form
If your party includes children 5yrs or younger they will need a ticket, Please contact Medway Pride by completing the information on this link 5YEARS & UNDER TICKETS We may be able to find reduced priced tickets for for these young people but you would still need to obtain ADULT/CHILDREN tickets for evryone in your party. The best option is to get your tickets while they are available. We cannot garauntee a reduced price but if we are able to we will contact the individuals who have completed the information on the linked form.
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As previousely mentioned we are all volunteers so we do not work on a 9 to 5 basis, we will try to get back to those requesting information as quickly as we can..
Medway Pride Parade Ticket – Access to this ticket is reserved to those who successfully applied to take part in the organised groups parade via our website.
This ticket allows you to join the public / sponsor organisation community section of the pride parade.
You would need to follow the instructions on joining the parade in Rochester High Street provided to your group organiser
For those wishing to watch the parade we will be gathering to form the parade from 10am Saturday 16th August. Members of the parade groups will be checked by security as they join the parade, allowing the parade to progress into the castle gardens.
The Pride Parade should begin between 10.30am and 10.45am procedding along Rochester High Street to Rochester Castle via Boley Hill onto Castle Hill.
There is a maximum of 500 tickets to enter the organised parade, so please only book the tickets you need.
If you have a ticket to enter the Castle Gardens via the security control at Boley Hill / Epaul Lane junction you can enter from 10.30am before or after the parade has passed. You wil not be able to follow the official parade past the security gate that allows entry to the castle gardens until you have been authorised by security after your ticket and any bags or containers have been checked.
The history of Pride Events is link to the Civil Rights Movement with the catalist being the Stonewall Riots in June 1969 begining at the Stonewall Inn, New York. The resulting movement has found support around the world and has developed into a festival to celebrate LGBTQIA+ civil and human rights won over the years in some countries since 1969.
Medway Pride 25 includes an exhibition in the parade and at Rochester Castle Gardens highlighting STEPS FORWARD and STEPS BACK in UK LGBTQIA+ civil and human rights. We will always celebrate the steps forward and press for change where rights are removed or not yet granted.
The infomation below is important
By registering for a ticket you accept all the conditions listed below. Tickets will be released in batches, further tickets will be released in batches untill all tickets are taken.
We will give advance notice of when tickets become available.
Event Itinery
Rochester Castle Gardens will open to the public from 10:30am
Pride Parade Rochester High Street will commence at approximately 10:45am
Rocehster Castle Stage opens 12:00pm
Last entry to the Castle Gardens will be 7pm
Medway Pride is back with a fabulous #MedwayPride25 line up.
You can book any available tickets on this event page. We ask you to only book the tickets you need for your personal / family group. This is to help prevent duplicaton of tickets for individuals. If you are wanting to support Medway Pride with a donation you can via our website https://medwaypride.co.uk/medway-pride-fund/ without obtaining a ticket
We hope you enjoy Medway Pride 24 and the fabulous entertainment we have brought you this year. We need your feedback and support to help us raise funding to produce our pride events.
By registering for Medway Pride 25 tickets you are giving Medway Pride CIC permision to send you updates about the event and for Medway Pride CIC to send you an email with a link to our event survey, please complete our feedback survey after the event.
Medway Pride CIC is a voluntary not for profit organisation. We have no employees, we are all volunteers so all funds raised go to supporting local LGBTQIA+ voluntary projects like MGSD Centre, and running our pride events. We need to raise funds to keep producing Medway Pride. Please make a donation to our Medway Pride Fund to help make this and other Medway Pride CIC events happen.
Thank you
Hilary Cooke Chair Medway Pride CIC
The event will commence with entertainment and a Pride Parade through Rochester High Street starting at approximately 10.45, with the main event being held in Rochester Castle Gardens. There will be community stalls, bars and food outlets, and creative activities
You will need a ticket to enter the Castle Gardens event. Under 16yrs of age will need adult supervision aged18+ years to enter.
Please register for a ticket and we will send you updates on the event.
Tickets to enter the pride parade give guaranteed entry to the festival event so you only need a ticket to enter the parade. The parade ticket allocation is given to organisations and voluntary groups supporting Pride.
Medway Pride 25 Sponsors are guarenteed a place in the parade.
Rochester Castle stands on the east bank of the River Medway in Rochester, Kent, South East England.
Castle Hill, Rochester ME1 1SW
Getting to Medway couldn’t be easier.
We encourage everyone to use public transport to attend Medway Pride 25.
Rochester Medway is just 30 miles from London and 40 miles from the Channel ports and Eurotunnel. It’s easy to get to by rail, road, air and sea, and when you’re here, travelling around couldn’t be easier. The area has excellent public transport links by bus, train and taxi.
By Train -Rochester railway station is on the Chatham Main Line in England, serving the town of Rochester, Kent. It is 33 miles 61 chains (54.3 km) down the line from London Victoria and is situated between Sole Street and Chatham.
By local bus – The area is well served by public transport. Once here you can easily move around using local train, bus and taxi services. Arriva provides a frequuant 10-minute bus service daily between historic Rochester and Chatham Maritime. It also operates several other services throughout Medway and further afield from Chatham Waterfront Bus Station. Visit www.medway.gov.uk for further details on local bus services operating throughout Medway and timetables.
By road – Medway’s five towns of Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, Rainham and Strood are signed on the road network, plus look out for the brown tourist attractions signs. There is easy access from London and the Kent coast on the M2/A2 and M20 motorways, linking with the M25. There are direct links from A2/M2 to Rochester/Chatham/Gillingham via the A289/Medway Tunnel. Regular coaches run from London Victoria to the area.
Parking
Blue Boar Lane Car Park Blue Boar Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1PD
Rochester Station Car Park High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1HQ
Corporation Street Car Park Corporation Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1N
Rochester Riverside Car Park Rochester ME1 1GR,
High Street – Opposite Furrell’s Road Car Park High Street, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1H
Cathedral Rochester Car Park (Disabled) Northgate, Rochester ME1 1LX,
Please Note
Boley Hill Car Park is CLOSED During the event Epaul Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1TE
Kings Head Disabled Car Park is CLOSED During the event Epaul Lane, Rochester, Kent, ME1 1SN
Please read and understand your responsibilities at Medway Pride 25 to make this a safe space for everyone.
Entrance Criteria for All Participants
Our Code of Conduct makes sure everyone understands their responsibilities and is aware of what is and isn’t acceptable at Medway Pride. We ask that all attendees abide by the outlined rules; it helps us keep the event a safe space for everyone. By attending the event in any capacity, you have already accepted to follow this Code of Conduct.
Changes may be made to this Code of Conduct prior to the event. It is your responsibility to check.
You can bring the following items to Medway Pride.
Wallet with cash/card & government approved ID
Factory Seald Water Bottles, Empty Reusable Water Bottles (No Glass allowed on SIte)
Blankets to sit on
Fully charged phone and battery pack (tag us on socials with @PrideMedway #MedwayPride24 !)
Cameras – Only take images for personal use,
Sunscreen
Flags, banners or hand made signs (no hard poles, no corporate/company branding (Except our sponsor or those with permision),
No signs promoting illegal activity or hate speech
Small bags, backpacks or purses (these will be searched upon entry)
Rain ponchos in case of rain
Your best pride outfit!
Read the Code of Conduct in advance
Please do not bring anything on this list to Medway Pride as it will be confiscated by security at the entrance.
We have no safe storage at the event, if you have items that are not allowed and hand them to security we cannot gaurantee their safe return. Please do not risk items being lost
WEAPONS – Any item which may reasonably be considered for use as a weapon (incl. pen knives and metal cutlery)
ALCOHOL – No alcohol can be brought on site to comply with Licensing Laws, (There will be bars available on site, our licensing means we neeed to control the use of alcohol at the event)
UNAUTHORISED ADVERTISING – Stickers, flyers, or advertising material,
FIREWORKS ETC – No Fireworks, flares, smoke canisters, chinese lanterns, laser equipment/pens, toy guns, water guns, slingshots
DRUGS – Illegal substances (incl. laughing gas/balloons) (except persciption medication, Bring perscription to prevent confiscation on unknown pills)
GLASS – Glass (of any kind) to avoid breakages and injuries.
VEHICLES – Personal motorised vehicles or drones (except a mobility scooter)
LOUD SPEAKERS – No Klaxons, air horns, megaphones, portable speakers (or other similar items capable of making loud noise)
Anything else not permitted by the Code of Conduct below
Medway Pride is a celebration of diversity and equality and all attendees are expected to embrace and respect this diversity and equality.
You are required to have read, understood and agreed to this Code of Conduct before attending the event in any capacity. If you do not agree to this Code of Conduct, you must not attend the event. Any questions should be directed to Medway Pride CIC.
We will not tolerate any threatening, violent or offensive behaviour against our volunteers, staff, other attendees, police, security personnel, or members of the public.
We will not tolerate any individual or group making derogatory remarks about a person’s sexuality, gender identity, race, age, nationality, disability, appearance, religion, political belief or any other factor. Anyone who displays behaviour that contravenes this rule can expect to be removed from the event immediately.
Any individual infringing the bodily integrity of other participants will be immediately removed from the event. (If you are in a parade group, your group may also be removed from the parade).
There are clear legal guidelines regarding alcohol, drugs, public nudity, etc, which participants are expected to abide by. Laws must always be obeyed. Please remember, this is a family friendly event.
Hand sanitizer in the original packaging with intact manufacture labelling is permitted.
No objects are to be thrown at attendees (including at parade spectators on the parade route). This includes the use of silly string, party poppers and water pistols.
You are not permitted to play amplified music without prior written permission.
Every participant is responsible for their own litter. Littering is prohibited by law. There will be opportunities to dispose of litter at the festival site. Please use the bins provided.
If you see or are notified of any incident that would break this Code of Conduct or the law, please notify the Medway Pride 245 Event Security team immediately. Anyone found to have failed to report any incidents may face being removed from the parade and refusal entry to the main event.
We (Medway Pride CIC and the security team) reserve the right to refuse entry, or remove anyone, who does not follow this Code of Conduct or behaves inappropriately (Please see Consequences of Failing to abide by the Code of Conduct below).
In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, the following points will also apply to you as a parade attendee.
SEE INFORMATION ABOUT THE PARADE
No objects can be given to spectators or other parade participants in the parade staging area or during the parade route, without prior permission.
No parade participants can accept anything from spectators.
No alcohol or drugs are to be consumed or carried in the Parade or Staging Area or during the parade.
Sealed (unbroken seal from manufacture) water bottle is permitted and encouraged.
All participants are required to maintain a continuous forward motion during the parade. No stopping unless we direct you otherwise at stopping points. All performances must be “on the move” except for any stops agreed and directed by the Parade Marshal.
No large gaps between parade groups of more than 3 metres. Please aim to keep a small sensible gap between groups wherever possible (in both the parade staging area and on the parade route).
All parade groups have assigned group organisers who have ultimate responsibility for your group, and you should be aware of who this is.
Participants of the of the parade should not display any branding to advertise businesses or organisations except for sponsors, without prior permission.
We reserve the right to refuse participation of any individual or group that has entered under a false name or given false information. If you need to make any changes to your application, please contact us urgently.
Only those who are registered parade ticket holders may walk in the parade with either their Parade Group Organisers or Community Section. No one is to be pulled in from the crowds to join.
In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, the following points will also apply to you if you are a stall holder.
Stall set-up is permitted between 08:00 and 09:45.
Entrance Criteria & Code of Conduct
Understand your responsibilities at Medway Pride 24 to make this a safe space for everyone.
Additional Criteria for Stall Holders
In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, the following points will also apply to you if you are a stall holder.
Stall set-up is permitted between 08:00 and 09:45.
Late entry is not permitted under any circumstances. Early entry can be agreed in advance if required.
Stall shutdown is permitted between 19:30 and 20:00. We strongly discourage leaving the site before 20:00.
Vehicles are not permitted on-site until authorised by event security, the earliest time would be from 20.30.
There is no parking on-site. Vehicles may not remain on-site during the event.
Exceptions to this are only with explicit permission from Medway Pride CIC with an associated pass. Refer to Additional Criteria for All Vehicles.
Gazebos/marquees/Tables are not provided by Medway Pride CIC and must be securly fixed to the ground..
Your stall is not confirmed until your donation/ payment has been received and Medway Pride CIC have approved your application.
No products in glass bottles may be sold.
Any and all traders are required to use more sustainable alternatives to single-use plastics.
The following are examples; but not a definitive list:
The single-use plastics that make their way into the environment most frequently are:
Cigarette butts
Plastic drinking bottles
Plastic bottle caps
Food wrappers
Plastic grocery bags
Plastic lids
take-away containers
Plastic straws and stirrers
Plastic bags
Are you ready to make some changes to your plastic consumption? Here are some easy solutions:
Replace shopping bags with reusable bags
Use your own coffee mugs and sustainable, non-plastic alternatives
Don’t use non-recyclable plastic bottles and straws – use reusable alternatives
Recycle everything that you can
Medway Pride CIC is a responsible organisation. If it is essential that you use single-use plastic for food safety purposes,
A stall position will be pre-allocated to you at time of booking. This can be discussed with your Medway Pride Stall Liaison if you have a preferred location. Once this location has been allocated, it must be adhered to and cannot be changed on event-day.
Entry for vehicles is via. Boley Hill to Castle Hill, ME1 1SW. There will be a member of staff waiting to escort you to your position.
Please wait patiently outside the Castle Entrance as we anticipate a large number of vehicles.
Please ensure you know where this location is in advance, and contact your Account Liaison if this is unclear.
If you need to make any changes to your application, please contact us urgently.
On submitting your application, please enclose a copy of your Public Liability Insurance & a risk assessment for providing your services.
By appling for a pitch, you agree to our terms & conditions and agree to abide by our Health and Safety rules.
Upon dismantling your stall, please ensure that you keep the area clean and tidy. Bins will be provided around the site.
If a member of staff is required to clean your site then a cleansing charge will apply.
As per previous events, the site will be secured and all those attending must be searched. If you need to go off-site during the day, entry will only be through pre-agreed positions on the site. This is mandatory and any non-compliance will result in the forfeiture of your pitch and no refunds will be made.
Additional Criteria for Parade Group Organisers
In addition to the above general Code of Conduct and Additional Criteria for Parade Attendees, the following points will also apply to you as the group organiser for your parade group.
As a group organiser, you have accepted responsibility on behalf of the entire group and are responsible for behaviour within your group.
The Code of Conduct applies equally to everyone in your group.
Please ensure your group is keeping the orderly flow of the parade. All groups are expected to follow the parade route according to their allocated position in the parade. Each group is expected to stay in order. Any group who tries to overtake another group will be removed from the parade.
If anyone in your group does anything that is against the Code of Conduct, all your group may be immediately withdrawn from the parade. We also reserve the right to deny the entry of your whole group into the festival site if the Code of Conduct is not followed.
Additional Criteria for All Vehicles
In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, this applies to all vehicles, either being used in the parade or for stall holders.
No vehicles are permitted in the parade or on-site without the prior written permission from Medway Pride CIC. Transportation details for attendees can be found on our website.
You must display your vehicle pass on the windscreen of your vehicle at all times. The registration number, and other details on the access pass, must be accurate. This pass is only available with permission from Medway Pride CIC. If you have not received your pass, please contact your account liaison.
The vehicle must arrive in the allocated time window. After this you will be denied access.
Every vehicle must have an allocated driver who is capable and insured for driving the specified vehicle. No other drivers may operate the vehicle.
All vehicles must be: legally roadworthy (MOT), insured, and taxed.
The doors of the vehicle must be locked at all times to prevent anyone other than the allocated driver(s) entering. The vehicle should not be left unattended at any time. Exceptions to this are only with explicit permission of Medway Pride CIC.
The vehicle keys must be in possession of either the allocated driver(s) at all times. Keys should not be left in the vehicle when it is not in motion.
You must not enter, move in, or leave the Parade Staging Area or Festival Site without specific direction from a member of the security team or the organising committee.
Do not drive over 5 mph at any time, with hazards flashing when you are moving or stationary.
We reserve the right to check the inside and outside of the vehicle. Please check that you don’t have anything in the car that would be considered offensive, be illegal, be glass, or be alcohol.
All materials or equipment used on or attached to the vehicle must be firmly secured, fireproofed, and adhere to relevant safety regulations (i.e. electrical items must be PAT tested).
Additional Criteria for Food Vendors
In addition to the above general Code of Conduct, and the above Additional Criteria for Stall Holders, the following points will also apply to you if you are a food vendor.
Please ensure that you bring your own fire safety equipment with you on the day.
Any potential allergies (i.e. nuts) must be clearly signposted for customers. Please make sure that you clearly list a list of allergens in your food to avoid allergic reactions from event participants.
Pitch positions will be offered for specific areas.
Please ensure that you submit an e-copy of your most recent Food Hygiene Rating Certificate and the Food Hygiene & Safety certificates of those attending and working the event.
Please ensure you have submitted a copy of your latest and current in date Gas Safety Certificate.
There are no water services on-site. If you require power, please contact your account liaison (a surcharge may be incurred which must be payable at the end of the event).
Additional Information for Press
Press must have registered in advance with Medway Pride CIC to receive a Press Pass. If you have not registered, please contact Pride HQ in Rochester Castle Gardens on event-day to enquire further.
Press Passes (in the form of a wristband) can be collected from Pride HQ in Rochester Castle Gardens. These must be collected before being able to access the Parade Staging Area or to photograph the parade.
When accessing the Rochester Castle Gardens please enter via the Castle Hill entrance and show proof of being on the press list to whoever is at the gate to gain access. Pride HQ can then be found by asking security at the gate
Press are asked that when taking close up pictures of individuals or groups that verbal permission is gained. When photos are crowd shots, this doesn’t need to apply.
Any photos taken may be used in Medway Pride CIC material, credit will be given to the photographer. If an individual consents to having a photo taken, they also accept that photos of them may be used.
Where possible, please send Medway Pride CIC copies of the photos if you would like them considered for upload to our website and social media!
Consequences of Failing to abide by the Code of Conduct
These consequences apply to any person or group who does not abide by this Code of Conduct:
by disagreement with any of these rules means you will not be permitted to enter the event site.
You may be immediately removed from the event. If you have attended with a group or organisation (including for the parade), your group may also be removed from the event site.
Any costs accrued towards attendance will be forfeitet
Any person found to be in possession or under the influence of illegal substances, or taking part in any illegal activity, will be reported to the police, with whom we work closely to deliver a safe event.
We will be unlikely to accept any future application to participate in any part of the event.
Any person behaving in such a manner not allowed by this code of conduct will be removed from the parade and the festival site. Their group may also be removed at the sole discretion of the Medway Pride CIC / Event Security.
Any complaints or concerns in relation to this Code of Conduct should be raised with the Parade Director as soon as possible after the complaint has arisen. If an issue is not satisfactorily dealt with, then the Event Manager must be informed. In all matters relating to this Code of Conduct, the decision of the Event Manager will be final. You can contact us via the contact form on our website.
No Refunds will be given, all funds received from ticket applications will be donated to the Medway Pride Fund. By purchsing a ticket you agree to this non-refundable donation being made.
If force majeure results in that the Agreement cannot be fulfilled, the Agreement shall be terminated, and the party suffering from the force majeure shall not be liable for the aforementioned termination of the Agreement caused by the force majeure. If part of the Agreement cannot be performed or is delayed to be performed due to force majeure, the party affected by the force majeure shall not be liable for any breach of contract for such part of the Agreement that cannot be performed or that is delayed to be performed.