The borough will light up this weekend to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community with its annual pride parade and protest through Oldham town centre.

On Saturday (July 20), Oldham Pride will be celebrating 20 years of equality and diversity with a huge party and parade.

Kicking off at 12pm, the parade will leave from Billingtons on Ascroft Street and snake its way through the town centre before arriving at the Queen Elizabeth Hall around 12.45pm.

Get the latest news delivered straight to your inbox by signing up to The Oldham Times’ morning and evening newsletters as well as our breaking news alerts 

From there, there will be a party and an abundance of market stalls, plus a bar, food, rides and activities for all.

The parade will be led by a samba band followed by Oldham Pride with Fifi Olivia, the Pink Owl, and many other organisations, as well as mascots, acts, and representatives from local groups.

Last year and despite the rain, Oldham Pride proved to be another roaring success as dozens took to the streets with their flags and filled the Queen Elizabeth hall with a carnival atmosphere.

Cllr Louie Hamblett, the chair of Oldham Pride, said: "Oldham Pride is so much more than a celebration, it has also traditionally been a protest.

"It is a way to demand better in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights and a way to express the freedom to love without being oppressed and judged for it.

“It is a way to celebrate how far we have come and to bring all sides of our amazing borough together to celebrate, educate and show we don’t tolerate hate."

Cllr Hamblett said 20 years "seems such a long time" and that it is "surprising to see how much has happened".

He added: "But we have so much more to overcome if we are to live in a place that accepts people from every background.

"I cannot thank our volunteers from Oldham Pride Committee enough, the support from the council, our sponsors, those who donated gifts and all who are attending - each and every one of you help to make Pride very special.

"I look forward to seeing everyone at Oldham and hope everyone enjoys themselves at what should be a fabulous event.”

There will also be a Sunday service on July 21 at Oldham Parish Church, as well as an artisan market and live music at Billingtons to continue the Pride weekend.

Got a story? Email me Olivia.bridge@newsquest.co.uk