In July 2026, New Forest Pride brought LGBTQIA+ communities, allies, artists and local residents together for a joyful two-day celebration of creativity, identity and belonging. Supported by Culture in Common, the festival was curated by Ri Baroche and co-created with local LGBTQIA+ residents and young people from Breakout Youth groups in New Milton and Matchwood, placing community voices at the heart of the programme.
Together, participants developed the festival’s theme, “Joy in Resistance”, recognising that while Pride is a celebration of identity, visibility and community, it also has its roots in protest and continues to be an important act of solidarity in the face of ongoing challenges experienced by LGBTQIA+ people around the world. Through conversations with local LGBTQIA+ young people and community members across the New Forest, this pride was designed to acknowledge both the joy and the activism at the heart of Pride.
The result was a festival that felt welcoming, uplifting and deeply connected to the people it was created for. Across the weekend, audiences experienced comedy, music, spoken word, theatre, drag, cabaret and participatory workshops, while connecting with local organisations and meeting others from across the community. A strong sense of allyship and belonging ran throughout the event, with audiences enthusiastically supporting performers and joining together to celebrate the diversity of LGBTQIA+ experiences.
The festival opened with award-winning comedian Sam Nicoresti’s acclaimed show Baby Doomer, before Saturday’s programme featuring creative workshops, wellbeing activities, activism-focused discussions, theatre-making sessions and drag performance. Highlights included Creative Connections with Mia Wignall, Pride as a Protest with Comrade May, a drag makeup workshop hosted by Venezuela D’Viña, VaRIOTy Cabaret! hosted by Mother Nature, and a preview performance of BOY Theatre’s CAMPITALISM: Three Gays Try to Fix the Economy ahead of its Edinburgh Fringe run.
The weekend concluded with a musical showcase hosted by Ri Baroche, celebrating local talent and bringing the festival to a joyful close. Throughout the event, audiences cheered on every performer, creating an atmosphere of encouragement, celebration and collective pride.
Visitors were also invited to share reflections on the festival by writing messages onto cardboard bricks that formed a wall inspired by the Stonewall Riots, a powerful symbol of LGBTQIA+ resistance and activism. The messages left behind captured the impact the event had on those who attended:
“It’s rare to feel accepted in rural spaces, thank you”
“Great queer talent!”
“Supportive and inspiring.”
“I feel so moved, thank you!”
These reflections highlight why events such as New Forest Pride matter. In rural communities, opportunities for LGBTQIA+ people to gather, celebrate and feel seen can be limited. By creating a space centred on visibility, creativity and connection, New Forest Pride provided not only entertainment, but also a powerful sense of community and belonging.
Culture in Common was proud to support the festival alongside Ri Baroche, Breakout Youth, participating artists, volunteers, local partners and everyone who helped make the weekend possible. Through its celebration of Joy in Resistance, New Forest Pride 2026 demonstrated the power of community-led culture to create welcoming spaces, amplify local voices and bring people together in solidarity.
A huge thank you to everyone who attended and contributed to this inspiring weekend. 🌈
