As the calendar turns to June, the bustling streets of York are getting ready to come alive with colour, music, and an unmistakable spirit of unity. This year, SPARK is proud to serve as the ultimate base for the York Pride pre-parade get-together.

Pride is more than just a celebration; it is a vital reminder of the ongoing journey toward true equity, acceptance, and visibility. For us at SPARK, Pride isn’t just a day on the calendar. It aligns perfectly with our year-round mission to be a safe, accessible, and truly inclusive space in the heart of York. We believe that everyone in our community deserves a place where they can show up as their authentic selves, completely free of judgment.

Whether you are looking for a fully wheelchair-accessible venue to enjoy the Pride spirit or a morning coffee to start your day, our doors are open early at 9 AM on Saturday, 30th May to welcome you.

Getting Parade-Ready Together

Located just down the road from the Parliament Street parade starting point, SPARK is the perfect front-row seat to the Pride build-up. 

We’ve curated a full day of family-friendly activities to help you glam up and get inspired:

• Glitter & face paint (9am – 7pm): Free Pride face painting with Face Paint York featuring rainbows and sparkle for marchers and spectators alike.
• Sign-making station (9am-12pm): Craft your own signs to ensure your voice, your message, and your pride is heard loud and clear during the march.
• Florable’s Pride clothes swap (9am-7pm): Refresh your wardrobe with sustainable, Pride-worthy styles from our resident independent retailer, Florable. Got a Pride-worthy outfit that deserves a second life – drop it on the rail!
• Fuel & Pride bangers: Grab artisanal coffee and pastries from Node while listening to a non-stop soundtrack of iconic Pride anthems.
• Pride cocktail: Enjoy our specially crafted Church Lane Crush cocktail from BOHO, knowing £1 from each sale is to be donated to Trans Rescue. Church Lane Crush draws on Stuart Feather’s and John Chesterman’s activism that started in the city, and who both went on to fight for equality and acceptance.

Spotlight on Solidarity: Our Partnership with Trans Support Hub CIC

While Pride is a time of immense joy, we also recognise that it remains a protest and a lifeline. In the face of an ongoing cost-of-living crisis and a social climate where many members of the trans community find it increasingly difficult to come out, practical solidarity is increasingly important.

That is why we are incredibly proud to highlight our key collaboration with the Trans Support Hub CIC.

Trans Support Hub CIC does extraordinary work across Yorkshire, hosting supportive spaces and clothing swaps that foster personal growth, sustainability, and a deep sense of belonging for LGBTQ+ individuals exploring their gender identity. As members of the National Lottery Community Fund, they are dedicated to building bigger, safer, and better support systems.

Together, we are facilitating a dedicated gender-affirming clothing donation point inside SPARK. This initiative aims to provide a supportive environment for individuals to access essential, life-affirming items and style advice.

Want to get involved? From Monday 25th May until Sunday 5th July, a donation bin will be located inside SPARK. We are encouraging our community members to donate pre-loved, high-quality gender-affirming items, including:

• Binders and chest enhancers
• Packers and packing boxers
• Wigs and other affirming apparel

By donating, you are directly helping to provide comfort, confidence, and safety.

A Space for the Community, By the Community

At its core, SPARK exists to support independent entrepreneurs and foster innovation and community spirit in York. But a community is only as strong as its inclusivity. True accessibility means ensuring that nobody is left out of the celebration, and safety means standing actively alongside our trans and queer neighbors.

We invite you to join us this Pride, to celebrate, to create, to donate, and to stand together.

Stay updated with all our Pride week schedules and venue updates by following us on social media at @sparkyork.