Set to perform on the second day of celebrations at Preston Park, Sunday the 2nd, alongside Paris Hilton, other prominent acts include Diana Ross, Five, Melanie C from the Spice Girls, and — drum roll — the legendary frontline member of the music band Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Holly Johnson.
RAYE, Jessie J, RuPaul, Moonchild Sanelly, Self Esteem, Leigh-Anne from Little Mix, and G Flip bring their signature pop and soul sounds to Saturday’s main stage.
Equally important to mention are the Saturday music acts bringing heat to the Dance Arena for attendees to release their unfathomable heated rivalry of their moves.
Nu-disco and house music enthusiasts will be entertained by Tino Piontek, the Grammy-nominated German producer and DJ for Purple Disco Machine, who is most recognised for his work on Lizzo’s “About Damn Time” remix.
Drag culture will not have been ignored, as Bimini Bon-Boulash, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 2 contestant, will enlighten crowds with his punk-pop presence. In his article for The Standard last year, Bimini shared that drag culture is more than a performative act, but a journey of self-discovery that allowed them to delve into the semantics of gender, creativity, and politics on a much deeper level that goes beyond the debated existence of queerness. Commenting on the importance of festivals, in Bimini’s words, they are a revolutionary form of reclamation of power to resist the oppressive nature any political forces may bring to the table.
Daniel Avery, an electronic music producer and DJ from Bournemouth, is poised to mesmerise audiences with his high-energy dance tracks and immersive ambient sounds.
Known for his “techno-fabulous” style, as noted by DJ Mag, Patrick Mason’s distinctive flair and lively personality will undoubtedly draw everyone onto the dance floor. Wallflowers, beware.
On Sunday, the Dance Arena’s headliner will be the renowned American artist Armand Van Helden, the Grammy Award-winning producer, remixer, and songwriter from Massachusetts. Having reached the top spot on the UK Dance Charts in 1999, the British public is most familiar with his song “You Don’t Know Me.”
Non-binary identities will not have been overlooked either. Prominent for her collaborations with Dua Lipa, the non-binary American DJ The Blessed Madonna will bring diversity to the stage.
With other notable acts such as HAAi, I. Jordan, Hannah Wants, and Girls Don’t Sync, 2026 is set to be incredibly iconic.
As it celebrates its 35th year, Brighton Pride is still a leading LGBTQ+ gathering in the United Kingdom, honoring solidarity, resistance and equality.
Managing Director, Paul Kemp, said: “We are beyond thrilled to welcome the phenomenal RAYE and the iconic Ms. Ross as our Pride on the Park 2026 headliners. Having first graced our stage in 2018, RAYE’S journey over the past nine years has been nothing short of extraordinary.”
Kemp additionally stated that having Diana Ross as a headliner is an unparalleled dream, and her notable appearance will mark a significant moment in Brighton Pride’s history.
Dubbed as a joyous celebration of inclusivity, unity, and pride, organisers are thrilled for everyone to honour the power of love in all its forms.
That’s Hot would be an understatement… It’s iconic!
Why is Paris Hilton’s presence important to Brighton and Hove?
According to NHS data, the current number of patients receiving treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Brighton and Hove is over three hundred thousand.
According to an evidence review in the World Journal of Psychiatry, there is a positive correlation between ADHD and suicidality, affecting men and women in every age bracket.
In Brighton and Hove, news reports have heralded cases where people with ADHD have committed suicide.
Through her collaboration with Collegium Pharmaceutical, Inc., an American biopharmaceutical company dedicated to enhancing the well-being of individuals facing significant health challenges, Ms Hilton shared her personal story about her battle with ADHD last year.
Growing up, Paris recognised that this condition had not been adequately and widely addressed. In a promotional campaign to raise awareness around ADHD with Collegium Pharmaceutical, she said:
“Being diagnosed later in life helped me understand myself in a whole new way. Raising awareness about both the challenges and the unique strengths that come with ADHD has become one of my greatest passions. I want to empower others to seek the support they need and work with their doctors to find the right treatment plan while also recognising that ADHD can bring incredible creativity, innovation, and unique ways of thinking to the world.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that an estimated 7 million children in the U.S., aged 3–17, have been diagnosed with ADHD. Although this figure is lower in the UK, the number of patients on the NHS waiting list keeps increasing.
Coinciding with the upcoming Pride event, an analysis in the Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment discovered that minorities from LGBTQ+ communities have higher levels of both ADHD and internalising symptoms, such as anxiety, depression, or withdrawal.
In a city where ADHD diagnoses are rising and mental‑health services remain stretched, Hilton’s presence at Brighton Pride serves as more than a performance, but as support for those minorities navigating the challenges of an understaffed and underfunded healthcare system.
What are the symptoms?
Separated into two types, inattentive and hyperactive, the healthcare provider states that the most common symptoms found in patients struggling with this condition include:
Inattentive:
- proneness to distraction and forgetfulness
- difficulty in organising time
- having trouble with adhering to instructions and finishing tasks
- frequently misplacing items such as your wallet, phone, or keys.
Hyperactive:
- restlessness and excessive energy
- excessively chatty and cutting people off
- Impulsivity in decision-making without thinking about the consequences
Whatever you are going through, you don’t have to face it alone. When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year.
Call Samaritans for free on 116 123, or visit samaritans.org for more information.
Also, PAPYRUS aims to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.
HOPELINE247 is the charity’s confidential helpline service providing practical advice and support to young people with thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.
HOPELINE247 is staffed by trained professionals, offering a telephone, text and email service.
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice call PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
