Autumn Is Queer Festival Returns to Coventry for 2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COVENTRY PREPARES TO ‘TURN BACK TIME’ AGAIN AS THE 'AUTUMN IS QUEER' FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 2026

Coventry is gearing up for a vibrant, city-wide celebration of self-acceptance and inclusivity as Autumn Is Queer returns for its second year, running from September 22nd to November 30th, 2026.

Produced by Extraordinary Us CIC with support from Coventry City Council and Arts Council England, this year’s festival theme, Coventry: Feeling Proud, honours both the city’s civic pride and the LGBTQ+ ethos of radical inclusion: "Coventry loves you as you are."

The festival's highlight event, "Cher The News," takes place on Sunday, October 25th - the day the clocks turn back time (by one hour) - as Coventry city centre transforms into "Cher-ventry," the (un)official European home of Cher. This major community celebration will bring together participants, choirs, bands, and performers to dress up as Cher, featuring pop-up performances, interactive interventions, and plenty of iconic wigs. Creative partners include Highly Sprung, Fitness With Matt, and The Tin Music & Arts.

If Cher-ventrians want to don a wig and turn back time then organisers are calling on local residents, performers, and Cher enthusiasts of all backgrounds to join the fun for 'Cher The News' on Sunday, October 25th. Whether you want to perform, sing, or simply dress up as your favourite Cher, you can sign up or find out more by visiting autumnisqueer.co.uk/cher-the-news or emailing hello@extraordinaryus.co.uk.

Extraordinary Us also offers at the CBS Arena under the header ‘Feeling Proud’, the "Museum of Me: City Till I Die" community pop-up structure celebrates Coventry City Football Club fans through thick and thin, featuring stories from the co-founder of the Proud Sky Blues fan group.

Outside of this - over 40 events across the CV postcode region bring together local venues, cultural spaces, and nightlife. Highlights include drag brunches at The Yard, tributes to iconic pop stars, and the British Art Show - A Chorus Of Strangers. You’ll also find Dogoween at FarGo Village, Tease at Albany Theatre, and Congregational by Fatt Butcher at Warwick Arts Centre. In Autumn, Coventry is the place to LGB and T and Q and +.

Local businesses and allies can support the festival through corporate partnerships, found on the website.

Link to The Queer Calendar of events can be found here: https://www.autumnisqueer.co.uk/queer-calendar

MEDIA CONTACTS:

General & Event Inquiries: hello@extraordinaryus.co.uk / paulodonnell@extraordinaryus.co.uk
Branding & Marketing: emma@pieceofcakemarketing.co.uk
Social Media: @autumnisqueer @exuscic

QUOTES:

"Autumn in Coventry is where the season turns heads and drops some truths: Autumn Is Queer. Get used to it honey!" says Paul O'Donnell, Creative Director of Extraordinary Us CIC.

CREDITING:

An Extraordinary Us project supported by Arts Council England and Coventry City Council.

LINKS:

www.autumnisqueer.co.uk

@autumnisqueer

www.extraordinaryus.co.uk

@exuscic

PHOTOS:

Cher The News 2025 [credit - @photogempic]: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1IVDmqsquSflemXoYR0dkHf6lq6UW3mUF?usp=sharing

Core Photo 1 [credit - @photogempic]:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XRHYr9Glmucqq4JTd6uZgv4dB8HzPRFM/view?usp=sharing

Core Photo 2 [credit - @photogemphic]: