The show must go on.

The organisers of Ireland’s largest LGBT+ Community Pride Festival outside of Dublin are forging ahead with plans for Cork’s annual celebration.

The week-long programme, which usually finishes over the August bank holiday weekend, will now take place from September 19th to 26th, 2020, with plans reimagined in order to adhere to strict Covid-19 guidelines on social distancing.

The week of events will culminate on Saturday, September 26th with a socially distanced Pride Pod Parade (participants will be on floats, in cars or on bikes) and a re-imagined Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival Afterparty with a drive-in performance headlined by ‘Feels So Good’ hitmaker Sonique.

❤️🏳️‍🌈 @corkpride @officialsonique pic.twitter.com/l6XFSTezxr

— Mr Gay Ireland 2016 (@MrGayCork1) June 28, 2020

“The festival takes the safety of the community, participants and all attendees of the festival very seriously.” said a Cork Pride spokesperson.

“We are also aware that the community needs support and a reason to be proud now more than ever; that’s why it is so important that the Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival go ahead this year, though not as we know it.

“This year, the theme for the Cork LGBT+ Pride Festival is Family Matters, in recognition of the progressive recent changes in Irish law protecting our Rainbow families – but also in recognition of the importance in standing together in solidarity with our global family – black, white, and all the colours of the rainbow, of all genders and orientations, of all creeds and none.”

Paula Fagan, CEO of LGBT Ireland, is this year’s Grand Marshal. Follow Cork Pride on Facebook for regular updates.