BARRY PRIDE is launching the first ever Welsh Pride Awards, a groundbreaking national celebration designed to recognise, champion and uplift the Queer Welsh Community. The inaugural ceremony will take place on December 4, 2026, bringing more than one hundred community champions together at The Masonic Hall, Barry, for a night dedicated to celebration, connection and future‑focused pride.
Born from Barry Pride’s renewed mission to become a self‑sustaining, grassroots, free‑to‑access annual celebration, the Welsh Pride Awards marks a bold new chapter for an organisation that has been serving the community since 2019. Following a major organisational overhaul in late 2025 — with new leadership, new energy and a revitalised vision — Barry Pride is stepping confidently into its next era as a Proud Beacon for LGBTQ+ life across Wales.
Barry Pride’s ambition is clear: to grow into a year‑round programme of activity that reaches across the Vale of Glamorgan and beyond. The Welsh Pride Awards is the first major step in that journey — a flagship event designed to:
- Celebrate the extraordinary individuals and organisations shaping Queer life in Wales
- Connect communities, creatives and activists from across the country
- Champion Welsh LGBTQ+ culture on a national stage
- Inspire future initiatives, collaborations and visibility
Wales deserves more recognition, more celebration and more opportunities to spotlight the incredible work happening in every corner of this country. The Welsh Pride Awards is here to deliver exactly that.
The ceremony will feature performances from Welsh musicians, international artists, and Queer comedy performers, creating an atmosphere that prioritises fun, joy and celebration over formality. Food will be available, but the focus is firmly on the experience — a vibrant, uplifting night that brings the community together at the start of the festive season.
Hosts and special guests remain tightly under wraps, with surprises planned throughout the lead‑up via Instagram at @WelshPrideAwards.
Nominations open tomorrow (July 24) and close on October 1. Finalists will be announced in early October, with winners revealed live on the night.
- Person of the Year
- Organisation of the Year
- Outstanding Contribution of the Year
- Volunteer of the Year
- Young Person of the Year
- Queer Creative of the Year
- Event of the Year
- Drag Artist of the Year
- Community Event of the Year
- Community Ally of the Year
Tickets are available now via Eventbrite at £65 + booking fee. A limited number of tickets will be reserved for finalists who may not otherwise be able to attend, ensuring the event remains accessible and inclusive.
While the first ceremony will proudly take place in Barry, the Welsh Pride Awards will travel across Wales in future years — ensuring every region has the opportunity to host, celebrate and contribute to this national moment.
Already kindly Supported this Year by Barry Town Council and The National Lottery Community Fund; Barry Pride is currently seeking category sponsors and a key commercial partner for the evening. Conversations with Welsh organisations are already underway, with opportunities available for brands and organisations who want to support and elevate LGBTQ+ communities across Wales.
