Taking place between the 25th and 28th August, this huge LGBTQ+ party puts our city on the map every year. From festivals engulfing Gay Village to drinks in Canal Street's bars and a whole load of queens strutting their stuff, it's not short on fabulous ways to entertain. To narrow things down? Here's your 2024 Manchester Pride guide for the parade, events and more.
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Freight Island
Saturday 26th August 2023
Last year, Freight Island was one popular place to celebrate Pride, thanks to a whole weekend of themed events to get you in the mood. For 2023? The Big Brunch drag edition is coming to town, with DJ takeovers and a free festival series in store too. Keep an eye out for other announcements as well.
Get some Manchester pride 2023 tickets from this cool venue.
Bougie Drag & Boy Toy Events
Saturday 26th August 2023
If anyone can turn up the party, it's the team over at Bougie Drag & Boy Toy Events. Their Pride weekend pick is none other than Queen B Bottomless Brunch, complete with a drag artist impersonator, lip-sync, a gaggle of other queens and 90 minutes of unlimited booze - all across a four-hour extravaganza.
Sashay your way to these fun times.
Canal Street Bars
All Weekend
When the Manchester Pride dates for 2023 bring even more fun and frolics to the area, you can count on Canal Street's bars to be right in among the action. Via takes you from day through to night with cocktails, meals, late-night drag and clubbing galore, while elsewhere there are further cheesy tunes or karaoke to choose between.
It's full of options for a Manchester Pride after party.
Drag Comedy Cabaret
Saturday 26th August 2023
Lady Bushra, our favourite bad girl from Bradford, is bringing her Drag Comedy Cabaret to Pot Kettle Black on the Saturday. Entry starts at just £10 and offers stand-up style laughs with the main gal herself. You'll find out pretty quickly what got her nominated for a BBC New Comedy Award, as you split your sides from stories and one-liners.
First she went viral; now Lady Bushra has your festival covered.
Lip Sync Showdown
Wednesday 23rd August 2023
More of a warm-up party than a pick for Pride weekend itself, the Lip Sync Showdown is a totally free event for the first 100 people at Bingo Balls. Get ready for a night of drag performances at this adult ball pit bar, where an outrageous lineup of pop classics, power ballads and guilty pleasures feature. Better yet, there's even bar tabs up for grabs when you donate to charity.
Gear up for Pride here.
Sexquisite X Riot Manchester Pride Afterparty
Saturday, 26th August 2023
Don't want the festivities to end? The Sexquisite X Riot Manchester Pride Afterparty is offering a late-night soiree like no other. What to expect? Enjoy show-stopping performances from the likes of Kitty Velour Snoop Dog while throwing shapes to a live DJ until 4am. There will also be a sex positive dress code so don your best outfit and get ready to shake it.
Get stuck in with Afrobeats, dancehall and much more at this cool Shindig.
Family Pride Party At GRUB
Friday 15th August 2023
Adding to the events by Family Pride MCR, this party At GRUB aims to include all - whatever their age. They're putting on pizza making, cupcake decorating, story time and more for your little ones, but also movies representing LGBTQ+ characters. Parents, don't despair. There's street food keeping everyone happy and a bar for the grown-ups too.
It's got all bases covered for food, drinks and entertainment.
Manchester Pride Parade
Saturday 26th August
One of the festival's many highlights, the Manchester Pride Parade route is dedicated to our city's community spirit. This year's theme is Queerly Beloved - a celebration of all things love, whatever form that may take. Come kitted out in rainbows, hearts, flowers, Cupid motifs and more, with your nearest and dearest at your side.
The ultimate of Manchester pride parties.
Manchester Pride Gay Village Party
All Weekend
At the heart of it all? The Manchester Pride Gay Village Party, which features the likes of Brazilian drag sensation, Pabllo Vittar, Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears and homegrown legend Danny Beard (reigning winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK) in 2023. If that wasn't enough, expect Gok Wan and a Queer Asian Takeover too.
The Manchester Pride line-up for 2023 sure is a winner.
The Candlelit Vigil
Monday 28th August 2023
Closing the four-day festival with a moment of reflection in Sackville Gardens, The Candlelit Vigil transforms this space into a sea of flickering lights. Just like last time, the event is partnered with George House Trust, an organisation providing HIV support, advice and advocacy. It's the perfect way to show solidarity against the challenges still faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Check out this unmissable choice of Manchester pride events for 2023.
Superbia
All Weekend
Superbia champions Queer talent who are making their mark on the city's creative arts scene, spanning everything from music to dance, filmmaking and workshops. Giving a much-needed platform to these local artists and performers, this culture programme has inclusivity (and, of course, fun) at its core.
Skip the Manchester Pride box office with these free performances.
Ducie Street Warehouse
Thursday 24th - Monday 28th August 2023
Ducie Street Warehouse are throwing open their doors for a five-day long programme of Freedom To Be parties this year. Think craft classes for painting your own Pride banner, acclaimed DJ-drag queen Jodie Harsh headlining alongside Mike Slade on Friday night, and everything from club disco brunches to a themed menu across the weekend too.
These guys have you covered for food, parties and even crafts too.
Come As You Are
Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th August 2023
The Refuge is back with Come As You Are, their yearly Pride party that includes sets from DJ Paulette, Hush Club, Eves Drop Collective, Supernature and Sticky Heat. But that's not all, as the feel-good summer terrace will be open, all while the Kimpton Clocktower Hotel it calls home is offering a Stay With Pride package for the weekend as well.
This city favourite is back.
Set Phasers To Stunning
Thursday 24th - Monday 28th August
You'll uncover Set Phasers To Stunning at Albert's Schloss - a five-day celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in true alpine beer hall style. From Thursday Pride Cabaret to the live music or DJs of Friday Frolich and Saturday Pleasure Palace, there's plenty in store. You also have multiple courses with wild entertainment for Sunday Service and Monday record-playing seshes to look forward to.
The home of wild entertainment has loads of tricks up its sleeve.
Hard Rock Cafe
All Weekend
Featuring a themed photo booth, alongside offering discounts to all those taking part in the festival, Hard Rock Cafe is a top choice for your meals and drinks when refuelling from all your fun. There will also be a themed Pride playlist, live music and activities to match - making sure you keep the party going.
Munch away here.
After even more inclusive spaces? Check out this low-down on our city's gay bars and clubs. Then sign up to our newsletter and the latest will land in your inbox.
