East Coast Pride set to return to Skegness in 2025 after first event is a success

East Coast Pride is set to return in 2025 after thousands of people gathered in Skegness for the town's first LGBTQIA+ event over the weekend.

On Saturday (September 7), attendees flocked to the seaside resort from far and wide to celebrate the town's inaugural Pride event.

The celebration spanned five zones throughout the town, featuring colourful performances by drag queens, dance troupes, and singers.

The five-piece all-live theatre show Queenz! headlined the main stage near the Embassy Theatre on Grand Parade.

Producer Matt Dickinson, who was born in Skegness, praised all the "amazing" performers following the event’s success.

"It was more than we could ever have imagined it to be," he said.

"When you looked out from the main stage, it was just awash with colour and love. It was amazing."

Matt shared that a provisional date for 2025 is currently in the works, which should be announced in the coming months.

He added: "It has shown that the east coast is full of love. People's attitudes are changing and without events like this we can’t showcase the love and talent in the community."

Spokesperson Brad Johnson described the event as "beyond my wildest dreams".

"We didn’t expect this many people to turn up to our first one, but it was just phenomenal," he said, estimating that about 2,000 to 3,000 people attended throughout Saturday.

"We will be coming back," he added. However, he noted that the team wants to secure all necessary permissions before formally announcing the date for 2025.

Although he wasn't able to attend in person, East Lindsey District Council leader Craig Leyland applauded the organisers for their efforts and wished them the best of success in the future.

"It sounds as if it was very well run and well attended," he said.