After last year’s Pride celebrations in Croydon were on a smaller scale in the town centre, we were very pleased to hear that this year Croydon PrideFest is back in Wandle Park, in true festival style. And the good news is that the party takes place in just over a week, on Saturday 19 July.

PrideFest will kick off with the iconic parade through the town centre, weaving its way to the festival itself in Wandle Park, which will showcase live performances (including the Cheeky Girls), food vendors, and community stalls. Then there are a selection of After Parties to continue the festivities well into the evening. The festival is free to attend but make sure you book your tickets in advance.

We caught up with one of the PrideFest organisers Sam Dewey to find out more.

Croydonist: Can you tell us how and why you got involved in Croydon Pride?

Sam: I moved to Croydon just under four years ago and attended my first Croydon Pride in 2022. When I saw a Trustee role advertised on their website in early 2024, I knew it was the right opportunity. As a gay man looking to give back to the local community I had come to call home, it felt like a natural fit.

Since joining the board, it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience. While there are challenges, particularly as a small charity that relies heavily on donations and sponsorship the passion and dedication of the team make it all worthwhile.

Today, we’re entering an exciting new chapter. With a refreshed board, a renewed vision, and clear goals, we’re ready to lead Croydon Pride into its next phase of growth and impact.

Croydonist: When did you and the other organisers start planning for this year’s PrideFest?

Sam: We began planning PrideFest back in October 2024, so it’s been a long and detailed process especially as we’re all volunteers balancing this work alongside our day jobs. Despite the challenges, we’re driven by a shared passion for ensuring LGBTQIA+ representation remains front and centre in Croydon. It’s that commitment that keeps us going and makes all the effort worthwhile.

Croydonist: What are you most looking forward to about being back in Wandle Park this year?

Sam: We hope everyone attending will see the progress we’ve made, taking the charity from the smaller-scale event in 2024 to a much more ambitious PrideFest in 2025. Our goal was to come back with a bang, and we believe the energy, scale, and spirit of this year’s event reflects that. While we know there’s still more to build on for 2026, we’ve laid much stronger foundations, and we’re excited for what’s to come.

Croydonist: Which part of the day are you most excited about?

Sam: What I’m most excited about is the Parade through the town centre. For me, it really brings everything back to the core of why Pride matters. It’s a visible, powerful reminder that while we’ve made progress, there’s still so much work to be done to drive true equity and inclusion across our communities. Pride is still a protest, a vital one, and it’s a movement that must continue.

Croydonist: What’s the most challenging part of arranging such a big Pride event? 

Sam: Securing the funding needed to deliver a large-scale event like PrideFest is one of our biggest challenges. We simply couldn’t do it without the incredible support of our sponsors, Superdrug, Unilever, Colgate-Palmolive, London South Bank University, Croydon BID, Croydon College, and Superdrug Mobile Network, as well as backing from Croydon Council and the National Lottery Community Fund. Their contributions have been vital. But to ensure we can continue this work into the future, we also rely on the generosity of local residents. Every donation, no matter the size, helps us keep Pride alive and thriving in Croydon.

Croydonist: Three reasons why people should come along.

Sam:

Inclusion matters – It should be a priority for everyone in Croydon. Join us and show your support for a more inclusive and welcoming community.

Incredible performances – Enjoy a vibrant line-up of artists from an extremely diverse range of backgrounds, showcasing the true spirit of Pride.

A celebration of love – Experience a positive, uplifting atmosphere where love, unity, and acceptance radiate throughout the day.

Thank you to Sam for chatting with us. Croydon PrideFest is back in Wandle Park on Saturday 19 July 2025. Register for free tickets here. Keep up to date with the line-up for the day on their website and Instagram.

All images courtesy of CroydonPride from previous Croydon PrideFest events.

Posted by Julia