Manchester Pride

Held annually over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Manchester Pride is a joyful, loud and proud celebration of queer identity and expression. The festival is one of the most important LGBTQ+ events in the country – but it isn’t just one sun-soaked weekend. Manchester Pride is also a charity that supports all areas of LGBTQ+ lives in the city all year round.

Most parts of the festival are free to enjoy such as the annual Pride parade, plus a Family Pride MCR and a Youth Pride MCR. The Gay Village Parties are the only part you need tickets for – that’s where the big names perform.

Manchester Pride 2024

This year’s festival runs from 23-26 August and is based around the theme, ‘Buzzin To Be Queer – A Hive of Progress’ with Manchester’s iconic worker bee taking centre stage.

It’s all free to attend apart from the Gay Village Party – a three-stage festival featuring headliners Jessie J and two-time Eurovision winner Loreen. Another big headliner will be announced soon.

Other performers to catch at the Gay Village Party include Katy B, Chinchilla, Radio 1’s Dean McCullough, reigning Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson, Claire Richards from Steps and Atomic Kitten Natasha Hamilton.

Ticket holders will also have access to a warehouse-style clubbing experience in the Indoor Arena (a covered car park). It’ll be brought to life by the The Gaydio Dance Arena, Manchester native DJ Paulette and takeovers including Runway with Banksie, Manchester’s very own seven-foot drag supermodel.

The Manchester Pride Parade will take place on Saturday 24 August, plus there’ll be a human rights forum, and the Superbia Weekend with alcohol-free arts and culture events. The festival, as ever, closes with its candlelit vigil in Sackville Gardens.