Pride Cymru made its return to Bute Park this weekend with one jam-packed Saturday of live music, drag, dancing and celebration. The sun came out, the flags were flying, and Cardiff showed up in full force for a day that was all about love, identity and community.
With a stacked line-up, non-stop entertainment and the biggest crowd the festival’s seen in years, Pride 2025 felt like a real moment.
Pop powerhouse Ella Henderson was one of the day’s joint headliners, delivering a set full of anthems that had the whole park singing. From Ghost to Crazy What Love Can Do, she was on top form and gave the crowd proper main-stage energy.
She was followed by Kimberly Wyatt, who closed the night with her Don’t Cha Disco – a full-on pop and drag party packed with high-energy dance routines, disco hits and a finale of Don’t Cha that had the whole place bouncing. The ex-Pussycat Doll brought the house down in the most Pride way possible: loud, proud, and covered in glitter.
The day’s line-up also featured Booty Luv with their clubland classics (Boogie 2Nite still goes hard), R&B legend Shola Ama, rising stars Beth McCarthy and Louis III, plus a line-up of drag royalty including Danny Beard, Queen Priyanka, James B Partridge and Amber Dextrous – each bringing their own flavour to the stage.
While the live acts were a big draw, the day was about much more than music. From the vibrant parade that kicked things off through the city centre to the community stalls, family area and quiet zones inside the park, Pride Cymru kept its focus on inclusion and visibility.
It was a space for celebration, yes – but also reflection, connection, and protest. And it struck the balance perfectly.
With a proper feel-good line-up, a huge crowd and an atmosphere full of love, Pride Cymru 2025 was one of the best yet. From the big pop moments to the smaller community touches, it was a day that showed what Cardiff does best – turning up, coming together, and celebrating everyone for exactly who they are.
Bring on next year.
