Mariah Carey to Headline Brighton Pride Festival After Pandemic Delay

BRIGHTON, England — Mariah Carey is set to headline the Brighton Pride festival this summer, as organizers announced on Thursday that the pop icon will perform at Pride on the Park in Preston Park on August 2 as the main event for the festival’s opening day.

This performance marks a long-awaited return for Carey, who was originally announced as the 2020 headliner before the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Excitement for her upcoming show has been building since the announcement, particularly now that it’s been five years.

In a statement shared via Brighton and Hove Pride’s social media, Carey expressed her eagerness, saying, “I can’t wait to see all of your beautiful faces at Pride on the Park 2025. It’s going to be a scorcher.”

The August 2 performance will be Carey’s first live show in the U.K. since her concerts at London’s Royal Albert Hall in 2019. Brighton Pride’s managing director, Paul Kemp, remarked on Carey’s impact, calling her a “global icon.” He added, “We were so excited to have her join us in 2020 and absolutely gutted the show couldn’t go ahead due to pandemic restrictions that summer. Pride is always an amazing weekend of celebration and inclusiveness of our city, and this year is going to be incredibly momentous.”

Pride on the Park 2025 is expected to attract a large audience, following last year’s event, which saw approximately 300,000 attendees. Last year’s festival featured performances from popular artists including Girls Aloud and the Black Eyed Peas.

Carey has had a profound impact on the music industry, with over 200 million albums sold globally and 19 number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100. Among her greatest hits are “Fantasy,” “Always Be My Baby,” and her perennial holiday favorite, “All I Want For Christmas Is You.”

Throughout her career, Carey has also been a vocal supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. In a past interview, she stated, “The LGBTQ+ community has always been a part of my life and has always been there for me, and I will always be there for them. They inspire me with their courage and resilience.”

As the festival draws closer, more acts are expected to be announced for both days of Pride on the Park 2025, set for August 2 and 3. Tickets for the event will go on sale on February 20, and organizers anticipate a robust turnout.