Channel Islands Pride organisers have announced a new central location for this year’s celebration after the event expanded beyond the capacity of its former venue.
The Pride village for the September 12 celebration will now be hosted at La Vallette Bathing Pools, replacing the previous location at Market Square in St Peter Port, Guernsey. Organisers said the move was necessary to accommodate the growing number of participants and create a larger festival-style experience.
Thousands of attendees are expected to join the annual parade, which will begin at the Rainbow Steps in Market Square before moving through the streets of St Peter Port and ending at the newly selected Pride village by the seafront.
Ellie Jones, chief executive of LGBTQ+ charity Liberate and one of the organisers of Channel Islands Pride, described the relocation as an important development for the event. She said the new venue would provide more space and allow organisers to expand activities while maintaining the values that have made the celebration popular.
According to Jones, the previous site had become too limited due to the increasing size of the event, prompting organisers to search for a location that could better meet the needs of visitors and participants.
She explained that La Vallette Bathing Pools offered an opportunity to introduce new areas within the celebration, welcome more people and take advantage of the scenic surroundings.
“We have grown beyond our former venue and wanted to build an atmosphere that feels more like a festival while preserving the spirit and identity of Channel Islands Pride,” she said.
The annual event rotates between Guernsey and Jersey, with Jersey hosting the 2025 edition before celebrations returned to Guernsey this year.
Helen Bonner-Morgan, operations manager at La Vallette Bathing Pools, expressed excitement about the venue being selected as the main Pride village. She said the location was pleased to support an event that promotes unity, acceptance and community connection.
She noted that Pride represents a celebration for everyone, including members of the LGBTQ+ community, supporters, families, tourists and individuals interested in learning more about the movement.
“Pride has always created a space where people can come together. Everyone is welcome, whether they are attending as part of the LGBTQ+ community, standing in support as an ally, visiting the island or simply wanting to experience the celebration,” she said.
Organisers revealed that activities would begin with a gathering at the Rainbow Steps at 1pm BST, followed by the parade an hour later. The Pride village at La Vallette Bathing Pools will remain open until 9pm, offering entertainment and activities throughout the day.
Additional events have also been planned as part of the Pride programme. Celebrations will continue on September 11 with a comedy and cabaret evening, while a pool party at the Peninsula Hotel will bring the activities to a close on September 13.
Organisers said the expanded venue would help create a more inclusive and enjoyable experience for attendees while allowing Channel Islands Pride to continue growing as a major community event.
