It’s exactly 50 days today until British superstar RAYE takes to the stage as the Saturday headliner for Brighton & Hove Pride 2026, marking a major milestone in her remarkable rise to becoming one of the UK’s most celebrated artists.

The award-winning singer-songwriter will take centre stage at Pride on the Park on Saturday 1 August at Preston Park, leading the opening day of Brighton Pride’s 35th anniversary celebrations. Organisers announced that RAYE will headline alongside music legend Diana Ross, who is set to close the festival on Sunday 2 August.

For RAYE, the headline slot represents a full-circle moment. Having previously performed at Brighton Pride in 2018 and again in 2022, she now returns as the festival’s main attraction following a career-defining few years that have seen her become one of the biggest names in British music.

Brighton Pride organisers praised the singer’s extraordinary journey, highlighting how she has evolved from an emerging talent on the festival’s stage to one of the country’s most successful artists. Her appearance is expected to showcase fan favourites alongside material from her forthcoming album, This Music May Contain Hope.

The announcement has generated huge excitement among fans, with RAYE joining what is shaping up to be one of Brighton Pride’s strongest line-ups to date. Saturday’s programme will also feature performances from Jessie J, Self Esteem, Leigh-Anne, G Flip and a special DJ set from RuPaul, while the Dance Arena will be headlined by Purple Disco Machine.

Brighton Pride remains one of the UK’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and combining music, community fundraising and activism. The 2026 edition marks the event’s 35th anniversary, making RAYE’s headline debut an especially significant moment in the festival’s history.

With chart-topping hits, critical acclaim and a reputation for delivering powerful live performances, RAYE’s headline appearance is set to be one of the standout moments of the UK’s summer festival season. For Brighton Pride, securing one of British music’s most influential contemporary artists underlines the event’s status as one of Europe’s premier Pride celebrations.