It all started
in 2013
Come and join us on a trip down memory lane as we tell you the story behind Hand in Hand Festival!
It all began in 2013 when the Pink Singers, the oldest choir in the region, celebrated their 30th anniversary in London. As part of the celebration, Hand in Hand Festival was born.
Inspired by the Europe-wide Various Voices festival, Proud Voices UK and Ireland came together to create a network of LGBTQ+ choirs in the region, which today totals over 50 choirs! The goal was to provide a platform for LGBTQ+ choirs to connect and showcase their talents, and thus Hand in Hand Festival was born.
Previous festivals:
- 2013 Hand in Hand London
- 2015 Hand in Hand Brighton
- 2017 Hand in Hand Manchester
- 2019 Hand in Hand Cardiff
- 2021 Hand in Hand Newcastle
Cancelled due to the pandemic - 2023 Hand in Hand Festival Bristol
Postponed to 2024 due to the pandemic
This biannual celebration is a chance for singers from all corners of the UK and Ireland to unite in their love for music and their pride in being part of the LGBTQ+ community. The festival offers a fun and welcoming environment where performers can come together, share their music, and form lasting connections.
From its humble beginnings in 2013, Hand in Hand Festival has become a must-attend event for LGBTQ+ choirs and music lovers alike. With hundreds of singers coming together to celebrate their shared passion for music, this festival truly embodies the spirit of community.
So come and join us at Hand in Hand Festival and be a part of this amazing celebration of music and diversity!
Our Vision for Hand in Hand Festival, Bristol 2024
Prepare to be dazzled as Hand in Hand Festival comes to Bristol in 2024 for an extended weekend of singing, workshops, sightseeing, friendship and networking. Delegates and guests from all over the UK and beyond will flock to Bristol to be part of this unforgettable event.
Workshops
Get ready to hone your singing skills with our exciting range of vocal workshops, tailored for trans singers and focused on building an inclusive choir. Learn from the best in the business and take your singing to the next level.
Scratch choir
We’re shaking things up with our inclusive, pop-up Festival Choir made up of diverse people from communities that are typically under-represented in choral singing and the cultural scene. Join us and be part of something special!
Gala
Saturday night’s LGBTQ+ gala concert is not to be missed! This showcase of LGBTQ+ choral excellence is a unique addition to Bristol’s cultural calendar, featuring some of the finest singers in the UK. Get ready for a night to remember!
So mark your calendars for Hand in Hand Festival, Bristol 2024 – an event you won’t want to miss!
Our Directors
Hand in Hand Festival is a registered CIC (Community Interest Company number 14171491) with three appointed directors:
Mark
Hubbard
Festival director
April
Pye
Director
Christian
Wismann
Creative Director
Want to be part of the team?
We are constantly searching for creative minds, skilled hands, and enthusiastic volunteers to help us make Hand in Hand Festival a roaring success! If you want to be part of our team and contribute to the planning and execution of the festival, get in touch with us today.