What is the Suffolk Pride Fringe Festival?
Suffolk Pride Fringe Festival is an alternate version of the large-scale Pride Day, encompassing the pride elements of Protest, Education, Wellbeing, and Celebration, with 5 weeks of events occurring across June.
Being a fringe festival means not all the events are organised by us. We have collaborated with allies and members of the community who also wish to highlight where you can find inclusive, queer-friendly events, venues, and safe spaces in Suffolk. This has allowed for most of the events to be free if not affordably priced.
Suffolk Pride Fringe is for everyone to get involved, with events for young people and families, 18+ and all ages included. We hope you find something that works for you.
Rebirth
Our 2026 Fringe theme is Rebirth.
Within LGBTQIA+ communities, we know what it means to endure difficult times. Again and again, visibility fades, support weakens, and our existence becomes something debated or challenged. Yet, like the sun, we continue to rise.
Even after the darkest nights, the morning always comes.
This theme is about resilience, hope, and renewal. It celebrates the warmth, joy, creativity, and light our community brings into the world — and reminds us that even when we feel unseen, we are never truly gone.
When the sun disappears from one place, it shines somewhere else. In the same way, LGBTQIA+ people have always existed despite centuries of failed erasure, always found one another, and always created spaces where love, authenticity, and community can thrive.
“Rebirth” invites us to reflect on growth, healing, and the power of coming together once more. It asks us to imagine what becomes possible when we refuse to let our light be dimmed.
This Pride Fringe, we celebrate every person who continues to shine — boldly, softly, fiercely, or quietly.
Because no matter how long the night lasts… our time will rise again.
Note: Unfortunately, due to funding, our Youth Takeover has been postponed til next year’s Fringe.
If you’d like to help or get involved, please message intercommunity@suffolkpride.org.uk
Week 1
Liminal Gaze Collective: Queer Craftivism
Sunday 31st May, 1 pm – 3 pm
CHIp – Community Hub Ipswich – Ipswich
Before Pride Blooms, head on over to CHIp Hub and engage in some Queer Craftivism. Make your protest signs, get thinking about those chants and have some people to walk over to the Cornhill with.
This is a free event.
This is an all-ages event.
This is an accessible venue space.
Pride BLOOMS
Sunday 31st May, 4 pm – 6 pm
The Cornhill – Ipswich
Join us for the start of Pride 2026!
This event at the Cornhill will be for us to bring flowers, listen to speeches and remember those in our community who are no longer with us, who came before us and who paved the way.
It will be followed by a march through the town, and we’d love for you to join us.
This is a free event.
This is an all-ages event.
This is an accessible venue space, with a BSL interpreter.
Week 2
Presentation Party
Monday 1st June, 7 pm – 9 pm
CHIp Studios – Ipswich, IP4 1DL
Join us for a chaotic, joyful presentation party where anyone can take the floor and share a short talk on literally anything—serious, silly, or somewhere in between. Think PowerPoints, passionate rambles, and unapologetic enthusiasm.
No pressure to present—come along just to watch, learn, and cheer people on. Whether it’s queer history, your favourite media deep-dive, or something completely unhinged, all topics are welcome.
Slots are limited and will be available to sign up in advance or on the night (time permitting).
This is a free event.
This is an 18+ event due to the language and content.
This is an accessible venue.
The Christophers
Friday 5th June, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
King Street Cinema – Ipswich, IP1 1DH
A mainstay of the London art scene since his starry breakout in the creative explosion of the 1960’s, Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen) has drifted into a cluttered, self-imposed seclusion. His two estranged children (James Corden, Jessica Gunning) enlist Lori (Michaela Coel), a young painter and sometime-forger, to pose as a prospective assistant and gain access to a fabled series of unfinished canvases Julian has buried deep in his home studio, in a deceptive bid to secure an inheritance for themselves.
This is a low-pressure, social trip—come along to connect with others and share in queer storytelling on the big screen. Attendees are responsible for purchasing their own tickets, and exact meeting details will be shared closer to the time.
Adult – £10. Concession & Student – £9. Pay online or at the box office.
This movie is rated 15.
This is an accessible venue.
Queer Walking Group Needham Market Picnic
Sunday 7th June, 12 pm – 1 pm
Duck & Teapot – Needham Market, IP6 8NU
Join Queer Walking Group Needham Market for a relaxed LGBTQ+ community picnic at beautiful Needham Lake. Bring your own packed lunch, snacks, or your most extravagant “fat wicker luncheon basket” worthy of Wind in the Willows energy, and spend some time connecting with others in one of Suffolk’s beautiful green spaces.
There are free parking spaces available in Station Yard and gender-neutral toilets at the Duck & Teapot café nearby.
For those who would also like to, an optional Queer Walking Group walk will take place beforehand, meeting outside Needham Market train station (IP6 8AZ) at 10:30 am for a gentle riverside route before returning to the lake for the picnic.
Please note that the walk route may not be fully accessible for all attendees.
For additional details, reach out to Rosemary https://www.instagram.com/queerwalksneedham
This is a free event.
This is an accessible venue space.
Week 3
SoapBox Spoken Word presents Words & Verses
Monday 8th June, 6 pm – 9 pm
New Wolsey Theatre – Ipswich, IP1 2AS
Join the woman of many talents, the Poet Peddler extraordinaire Amy Wragg of SoapBox Spoken Word CIC.
Bring your poems and words and get on the mic. Always friendly, fun, and relaxed. All words welcome.
PWYF: £0/5/10/15/20. Book tickets here.
This is an 18+ event due to the language and content.
This is an accessible venue.
Blue Jean
Tuesday 9th June, 7:40 pm – 9:40 pm
The Regal – Stowmarket, IP14 1AY
Set in 1988, this powerful British drama follows Jean, a closeted gym teacher navigating life under a new law that stigmatises gay and lesbian people. As pressure mounts from all sides, the arrival of a new student catalyses a crisis that will push Jean to the edge.This is a low-pressure, social trip—come along to connect with others and share in queer storytelling on the big screen. Attendees are responsible for purchasing their own tickets, and exact meeting details will be shared closer to the time.
Adult – £10.95 Concession & Student – £8.75 Pay online or at the box office.
This movie is rated 15.
This is an accessible venue.
Queer Noise
Thursday 11th June, 8 pm – 11 pm
The Black Horse Inn – Ipswich, IP1 2EF
Run by a Queer DIY collective putting on free gigs in a safe space. Come for a drink, a dance, and join the mosh at Ipswich’s only Queer punk night.
This is a free event.
This is an 18+ event, operating a challenge-25 scheme. Please bring ID.
This is an accessible venue.
The Importance of Being Oscar
Friday 12th June, 7:30 pm – 9:20 pm
New Wolsey Theatre – Ipswich, IP1 2AS
A beautiful tribute to an icon of the world of theatre, liberally laced with Wilde’s signature wit and wisdom and featuring excerpts of many of his best-loved works including An Ideal Husband, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. This one man show promises to be a Wilde-ly entertaining night.
Tickets from £15. Book here.
This is an 12+ event.
This is an accessible venue.
Suffolk Roller Derby’s Pride Roller Disco
Saturday 13th June, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Suffolk New College Sports Centre – Ipswich, IP4 1LT
Join us for the annual SRD Pride Roller Disco hosted by our local derby team.
Snacks, drinks and merchandise will be available.
Limited skates are available.
This year we’re running two sessions:
Quiet Skate: 5.30 – 6.30 pm, £8. This session is kid-friendly and perfect for nervous skaters.
Main Skate: 6.40 – 8:30 pm, £10.
Book here.
This is an all-ages event.
This is an accessible venue.
Week 4
Layla
Tuesday 16th June, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
The Riverside Cinema – Woodbridge, IP12 1BH
The question of how love alters our identity lies at the heart of this debut from one of London’s best-loved drag queens. Amrou Al-Kadhi’s first feature considers the relationship between Palestinian-British drag performer Layla and their white, straightlaced new love interest, Max. Set against the backdrop of Feathers (a larger-than-life fictional queer space threatened by the very real spectre of gentrification), the pair meet when Layla performs an outrageous act at a drab corporate event. Thrown together by fate – and ready meals – their curiosity gives way to full-blown attraction. But Layla wears a dress made of karate belts, and Max lives in a stylish minimalist apartment – their enjoyment of each other is increasingly complicated by urgent questions of difference, forcing both to confront the bittersweet nature of attraction
This is a low-pressure, social trip—come along to connect with others and share in queer storytelling on the big screen. Attendees are responsible for purchasing their own tickets, and exact meeting details will be shared closer to the time.
Adult – £7.50, Concession & Student – £7.50. Pay online or at the box office.
This movie is rated 15.
This is an accessible venue.
Gay Social Men
Friday 20th June, 7 pm – Late
New Wolsey Theatre – Ipswich, IP1 2AS
A relaxed gay social meetup at The Thomas Wolsey pub. Come along for good conversation, community, and a welcoming atmosphere — whether you fancy a drink or not. A chance to meet new people, catch up with friends, and enjoy a social evening together.
GSM meet regularly throughout the year, making this a great opportunity to get involved during Pride Month and continue coming along afterwards if you enjoy the space and community.
This is a free event.
This is an 18+ event.
This is an accessible venue.
Liminal Gaze Collective: Queer Life Drawing
Sunday 21st June, 1 pm – 3 pm
Ipswich County Library – Ipswich, IP1 3DE
Liminal Gaze Collective is back with a special Pride edition of Queer Life Drawing
This is a tiered ticket event on a pay-what-you-can scale.
Book here.
This is an 18+ event.
This is an accessible venue.
Week 5
B*tch & Stitch X Luna Haven
Thursday 25th June, 7 pm – 9 pm
Geek Retreat – Ipswich, IP4 1DU
It’s crafty vent time w/ your favourite stitchers!
& you’re invited. Join us with any and all crafts, bring your best gossip, your angst, the little things ticking you off, bring your cheeky banter, your brilliant conversations and we’ll bring a butt tonne of compliments, support and fun for 2 hours of Pride Fringe B*tch & Stitch!
We’re very happy to have the fantastic Luna Haven teaming up with us again to make this an ever-so-special B&S, so don’t miss out.
Pst, we run this fab lil event monthly, so if you can’t make it, never fear, we’ll see you in July 🙂
This is a free event, but Geek Retreat have a fair use policy where they ask you to buy some food or drink throughout the event.
This is an 18+ event.
This is an accessible venue.
Fox Yard Pride
Friday 26th June, 2 pm – Late
Fred’s Bar & Vinyl – Stowmarket, IP14 1AB
We’re heading off to Stowmarket!
You’ll find us basking in the sun down at The Old Fox Yard as Fred’s Bar & Vinyl have a Pride Tap takeover. They’ll be playing some classics from their Queer Vinyls sess & we can’t wait to enjoy some lush pizzas from Passione D’Amore.
This is a free event.
This is an all-ages event.
This is an accessible venue space.
Clare Summerskill presents: Why God Created Lesbians
Saturday 27th June, 6 pm – 7:30 pm
Pumphouse, Aldeburgh – IP15 5EU
In her brand new one-woman show, Clare Summerskill dives into the mysteries of the perplexing sexual minority to which she belongs, asking the big question: why do lesbians exist? Are they here to ease pressure on cat rescue centres? Is it to ensure that Shibden Hall remains a viable tourist attraction? Or simply to write one-woman comedy shows packed with songs, stand-up, and storytelling? After decades of field research, Clare thinks she has finally cracked it.
Expect silliness, satire and plenty of self-deprecation from audience favourite Clare Summerskill as she hits the road with her funniest show yet. She shares, for the first time, the story of the lesbian squirrel on Noah’s Ark who took her concerns about compulsory heterosexuality straight to the big man himself, and reveals the Almighty’s true opinion on women loving women.
General – £15, Under 25s – £7.50. Book here
This is an accessible venue.
Wellbeing Walk
Sunday 28th June, Starting at 10:45 am
La Vida – Felixstowe, IP11 2DN
Come with us to Felixstowe for our last event of the Suffolk Pride Fringe! Join us at 10:45 in front of La Vida by the water fountain as we head for a stroll along the prom. After we walk along the prom to the Felixstowe Sea Front Gardens and back, we will return to Beach Street for lunch. Sit, eat, drink and socialise with your community as we say goodbye to the Fringe and enjoy a relaxing day at the seaside.
This is a free event, but please be aware of the costs around, transportation to and from the event.
This is an all-ages event.
This is an accessible event.
If you live in Ipswich and fancy catching the bus for free with us, please fill out the following form: https://bit.ly/SP26WW
The bus will leave Old Cattle Market bus station, IP4 1RA at 10:10 am.
We will be leaving Felixstowe at 2 pm from the bus stop outside Felixstowe Leisure Centre. (Felixstowe Pier, Stop ID: sufgtmgm).
Any Fringe updates will be reflected in the calendar below.
Click the + button in the bottom right-hand corner to add this calendar.
Psst… Save the date.
SPFF27 will be BACK next year,
Sun 30st May – Sun 27th June 2027.