By Rachael Grealish

Pride by the Harbourside is returning to Whitehaven for 2024 and we have all you need to know about the free festival – from the line-up, times, tickets, parking and even the weather.

On Friday, August 2 and Saturday, August 3, Proud and Diverse Cumbria will return to West Cumbria with Colours Harbourside Festival and Pride by the Harbourside, respectively.

The line-up for the weekend includes Blue, Whigfield and DJ Slash all for free as a way to “give everyone the opportunity to go”, said organiser Glenn Anderson.

Glenn spoke to The Herdwick News and explained why Proud and Diverse has brought the festival to West Cumbria and why it’s completely free to attend.

He said: “We didn’t want to be discriminatory at all with our ticket selection process as we know not everyone is in the same place financially, but we wanted everyone to be able to have the opportunity to go.

“For the past 10 to 15 years Pride has been very Carlisle-central so we really wanted to bring it to our community here.

“Nobody chooses to be different, but we should celebrate all those differences.”

Colours Whitehaven Inclusion Hub Opening:

Before Pride event kicks off in Whitehaven Proud and Diverse Cumbria will be opening the Colours Whitehaven Inclusion Hub and Cafe.

The grand opening of the new venue, located on Kings Street, in Whitehaven, took place on Thursday, August 1, and will be open to the public from Wednesday, August 7.

Colours Harbourside Festival 2024 line-up and times:

On Friday, August 2, the ticketed event Colours Harbourside Festival will take over Whitehaven harbour.

The event will be headlined by the 90s and 00s boyband, Blue – with their original line-up Simon Webbe, Duncan James, Antony Costa, and Lee Ryan.

Danish singer Whigfield – best known for her hit song ‘Saturday Night’ – is also headlining and support acts include Sam and The Womp and Ashley Paul.

Commenting on the line-up, Glenn said: “Blue are one of the only boybands from that time [the 90s and 00s] that still have an original lineup. They really represent the way society is with family and values. “

This is a ticketed event, however, tickets are now sold out, but there will be a screen up for those who were unable to get tickets.

The event arena opens at 4:30pm on Friday.

Pride by the Harbourside 2024 line-up and times:

Following the success of 2023, Pride by the Harbourside is returning to Whitehaven on Saturday, August 3.

Kicking off at midday traders and entertainers will line the harbourside to celebrate Pride.

The line-up includes:

• DJ Sash
• Katherine Ellis – Ross Alexander’s Blitz Kidz
• Mary Kiani
• Jenny Ball
• Kelvin J Wood
• Channy
• Jessica Stretton
• Mandi
• Shelly B
• Brodie Ambler – Sue De Creme
• Michael T Oglivie

Glenn said organisers are excited to bring more people and revenue to the town by offering people more reason to want to go to Whitehaven.

He said: “With all the traders on the harbourside and the opening of the new hub, we hope to bring more people to the town and give people a reason to want to go to the high street and bring revenue to the town.”

The event starts at 12pm on Saturday until a 7pm finish.

This is also a free event, with tickets required to get into the event arena – however there will be a screen outside for those unable to get tickets.

Parking for Whitehaven’s Pride by the Harbourside and Colours Festival:

If you’re driving to Whitehaven Alive there are several car parks in the town all a short walking distance to the venue, including:

• Preston Street Car Park – Preston St, Whitehaven CA28 9DL
• Tangier Street Car Park – 6A Tangier St, Whitehaven CA28 7UZ
• Strand Street Car Park – 5 Strand St, Whitehaven CA28 7LF
• Ginns Car Park – 17 Bentinck Row, Whitehaven CA28 9BS

Whitehaven weather forcast for Pride by the Harbourside:

It’s set to be a warm week in Whitehaven, according to the Met Office, as many are advised to prepare for a mini heatwave – however, Cumbria has just been missed on the yellow weather warning

Temperatures will rise to 20 degrees celcius on Friday, with a slightly cooler Saturday as temperatures are only expected to hit 18 degree celcius.

The Met office says this is down to low pressure and Atlantic weather systems which will likely dominate across the UK from Saturday, August 3.

This will mean spells of rain spreading in from the west, these heavy at times in the northwest where some strong winds are also possible.