This Pride Month, we’re proud to stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. As part of our celebration, we’re showcasing the amazing work happening across our network especially from our brilliant members, Thame Community Pride.
Thame Pride Festival
The market town of Thame in Oxfordshire is preparing to make history this June with its first-ever Pride Festival, marking an important milestone for LGBTQ+ celebration in the local area. The three-day event, running from 20–22 June, promises to bring colour, joy, and inclusivity to the heart of the town.
The festival is the result of months of hard work by a team of volunteers. Leading the team is David Dawson, both Festival Director and Deputy Mayor of Thame, highlighting the strong civic support behind this groundbreaking event.
Rosie, the festival’s marketing and publicity lead, shared the team’s excitement: “We’re very excited in Thame to be holding our first-ever Pride Festival. Our core team of 13 volunteers have been hard at work since the beginning of the year to make Thame Pride Festival a very special celebration for our town.”
Bringing community together through celebration
The festival celebrates inclusivity and diversity not just in Thame, but also in the surrounding villages, creating a regional event that brings communities together.
The celebrations begin on Friday 20 June with an evening of cabaret entertainment, setting a lively tone for the weekend.
Saturday 21 June — Midsummer’s Day — will see Thame town centre transformed with rainbow colours from midday until 10pm. The Thame Pride Village is free to enter and family-friendly, with live music and entertainment throughout the day, offering something for everyone to enjoy.
The festival concludes on Sunday 22 June with two special film screenings. It’s a more intimate way to reflect on the themes of pride, acceptance, and community.
Why the Festival is so important
This first Pride Festival in Thame is more than just a celebration — it’s a clear statement of the town’s commitment to inclusivity and diversity. By making the main day free and welcoming to all, the organisers have created a truly community-focused event.
The festival also shows how grassroots organising can lead to real change. With volunteers from across the community coming together, and support from civic leaders, Thame Pride Festival demonstrates how local communities can champion important causes.
As the countdown continues to this historic weekend, excitement is building, not just in Thame but in the wider community too. The festival promises to be fun, welcoming, and thought-provoking, with plenty of chances to learn, connect, and celebrate.
For those interested in attending or finding out more, the full programme is available on the festival’s website, with details of all the planned events.
Thame Pride Festival marks a new chapter for the town — one where diversity is welcomed, inclusivity is championed, and community spirit shines in all its rainbow colours. This June, Thame will show that Pride is more than a single weekend, it’s about building a community where everyone belongs.
Written by Jaime Hewett, OCVA Development Officer