It’s back with some big changes
Manchester Pride will return to the city this August Bank Holiday weekend(Image: Manchester Evening News)
It’s not long until Manchester Pride takes over Manchester city centre once again – with a colourful celebration boasting live music, parades and family-friendly events.
One of the largest Pride events in the country, the event see thousands head to the city across the August Bank Holiday weekend.
Manchester Pride 2025 will feature some new additions and tweaks to previous years, with the inclusion of new stage areas which will host some of the biggest names in music.
The festival will still include many of things that have made it popular, including the parade through the city and the Gay Village Party.
The new Mardi Gras area will host the likes of Olly Alexander and Little Mix star Leigh-Anne across two days, alongside special guests and big-name performers.
A number of free and family-friendly events will take place – including the Proud Fest, which will feature plenty of activities and playful spaces designed with little ones in mind.
The Manchester Pride parade, which will take on a Love theme this year, will take place on Saturday, August 23(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Throughout the weekend, there will be a host of special shows collated by some of the country’s top performers – including Black Pride MCR, the Runway x Banksie fashion show, and the Kulture Cabaret with Lucky Roy Singh.
Pride will conclude once again with a Candlelight Vigil which will honour those lost to HIV and as a show of solidarity with those living healthy and happy lives.
If you’re set on heading to Manchester Pride this year, here’s everything you need to know including the line-up, the dates, and how to get tickets…
When is Manchester Pride?
It wouldn’t be Manchester Pride if it didn’t take place on the August Bank Holiday weekend. This year, the event will begin on Friday, August 22 and continue until the end of Monday, August 25.
How to get to Manchester’s Gay Village and Depot Mayfield
The Gay Village Party and Depot Mayfield will be hosting a range of bar takeovers and live performances throughout the weekend.
By Train – the closest train stations are Manchester Piccadilly and Oxford Road.
By Tram – the easiest and quickest way to get to the Gay Village or Depot Mayfield is by Metrolink. The nearest stop is either Piccadilly or Piccadilly Gardens. For the parade, the nearest stops are Deansgate Castlefield and St. Peters Square.
By Bus – take a bus to Manchester Piccadilly Gardens. From there, the Gay Village Party and Depot Mayfield event sites are just a two-minute walk.
When is the Manchester Pride Parade?
Last year’s Manchester Pride Parade featured thousands of performers as they soaked up the atmosphere from the crowds throughout the city.
This year’s parade will take on the theme of love, which has long been a source of strength and resilience for the LGBTQ+ community. The Love Parade will take place on Saturday, August 23 and is expected to begin at midday.
In previous years, the parade has begun at Liverpool Road in Castlefield before heading through the likes of Oxford Street, Portland Street and Princess Street. This year’s parade route has not been confirmed yet and we will update when it has been announced.
Thousands are expected to attend Manchester Pride this year(Image: Manchester Evening News)The Mardi Gras Line-up
This year, Manchester Pride is introducing a new Mardi Gras area at Depot Mayfield.
Showcasing trans, non-binary and queer talent from across Greater Manchester and beyond, as well as big names in the world of allyship, the venue will host performances on Saturday, August 23 and Sunday, August 24.
Headlining will be Leigh-Anne, Billy Porter, and Olly Alexander, whilst there will also be performances from Tulisa, Big Freeda, Bailey J Mills, Sonique, Jodie Harsh, Louisa Johnson, N-Trance, Shanika Sunrise and Saki Yew.
Only those with Manchester Pride wristbands will be allowed to enter the Mardi Gras area. Tickets for the event, starting from £15.66, can be bought here.
The line-up is always subject to change so it is always worth checking official signage and social media channels for the latest updates.
Mardi Gras – Saturday August 23: Leigh-Anne, Billy Porter, Big Freedia, Altégo, Charity Shop Sue, Bailey J Mills, Danny Beard, Sonique, Booty Luv, Bestley, Banksie, Dean McCullough’s Pop Machine, Bongo’s Bingo, Queenz: Drag Me to the Disco, Runway x Banksie, Red Bull Dance Your Style, Black Pride MCR, Shanika Sunrise, Yshee Black, DJ Jess Rose, STNLY, Swagga, DJ Loz Newy, Monopoly Phonic, Fly Girls$, Choke On My Pronouns, Styli, Jsky, Noir Qweens, Black Betty, DJ Sequinella, Coco Cannelll, Andi, Jaii Andrew, and Ghetto Fabulous.
Mardi Gras – Sunday August 24: Olly Alexander, Tulisa, Tayce, Louisa Johnson, Jodie Harsh, Louis III, K-Klass, N-Trance, Banksie, Stephani B, Anna Phylactic, House of MCR – Pride Edition, Gaydio Dance Arena, Mix-Stress presents Kaleidoscope, Lucky Roy Singh Presents Kulture Cabaret, Queenz: Drag Me to the Disco, Misschief, Bongo’s Bingo, Out and Laughing, Rikki Beadle-Blair, Darren Pritchard, Olly Waldron, DJ Michael Maddison, Jamie John Warren, Club Zindagi, Lady Imelda, Minara ‘El Waters, Duniya Dhoom, Tequila Thirst, Amrick Channa, Kaan, Raj, Awais, Sitara Malik, Zahira Zapanta, Shimmy Begum, Saki Yew and Fortune.
The Gay Village Party line-up
The Gay Village Party will host good times and nostalgia with the likes of Samantha Mumba, B*Witched, Danny Beard and Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, as well as big fan favourites including Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show and a takeover from Vanilla.
Performances will take place across the Gay Village, including a stage area on Sackville Gardens. There will also be a variety of market stall traders, food vendors and funfair rides to enjoy.
Gay Village Party – Friday August 22: Samantha Mumba, Fat Pride, Luke Lucent, Daniela Corvea, and Silent Disco.
Gay Village Party – Saturday August 23: B*Witched, Diana Vickers, Gaydio Dance Arena, Our Village and Youth Pride MCR.
Gay Village Party – Sunday August 24: Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge, Danny Beard, Gina Breeze, Angie Brown, Kurlz, Swagga, Girls on Film, Rave with Pride, Vanilla Takeover, Club Dykes and Dolls, Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show, Diva’s Only with Misty Chance, Your Manchester Live with Belinda Scandal, Manchester Prairie Dogs, Wildflowers, and Silent Disco.
How to get tickets
Tickets this year start from £15.66, including booking fees, and vary based on which areas you would like access to.
Whilst some aspects of the festival, like the parade and the candlelight vigil, will be free to attend, you will need a ticket if you want to visit the Gay Village Party and Mardi Gras to watch the headline performers.
You can choose to get tickets for just the Gay Village Party, or the Mardi Gras events, or for all of them with day and weekend tickets available. Tickets are available from Skiddle here.
Weekend tickets to each of the Mardi Gras days and all-weekend access to the Gay Village Party start from £104.76 per person, including booking fees.
Billy Porter will headline Manchester Pride’s Mardi Gras event on Sunday, August 24(Image: Mike Marsland/WireImage)
Friday general admission tickets (Gay Village Party only) are priced at £18.90, including booking fees.
Saturday general admission tickets are priced at £27.00, including fees, for the Gay Village Party. You can also buy tickets for Saturday’s Mardi Gras from £66.96 which also include all-weekend access to the Gay Village Party.
Sunday general admission tickets are priced at £24.30, including fees, for the Gay Village Party. Entry to Sunday’s Mardi Gras start from £61.56, with fees included, and also include all-weekend access to the Gay Village Party.
Tickets are available from Skiddle here.
How and where to get your wristband
Once you’ve got your tickets sorted, the next thing you’ll want to know is where to go at the start of the weekend to exchange it for that all-important wristband. This can only be done at the Box Office, which last year was located on Minshull Street right next to the Gay Village. Attendees can pick up tickets from Friday, August 23.
The Box Office is open across the weekend, so make sure to check the website for opening times in the days leading up to Pride. Bring your E-ticket on your phone or print it out on paper and the Box Office staff will scan your ticket and place a Pledge Band on your wrist.
Can you enter the Gay Village during Manchester Pride without a wristband?
The Mardi Gras and the Gay Village Party are the only ticketed events, meaning that Manchester Pride’s programmed areas within Depot Mayfield and the Gay Village will require a ticket to attend.
Pride does not operate any events within the Gay Village bars and venues, so you will not be charged by Manchester Pride to enter individual Gay Village bars and venues.
However, there will be strict security measures in place throughout the area to ensure the safety of all visitors. There may also be queues to get into busy areas during the weekend.
What can you bring in?
While some people may want to bring in a bag to carry their things around, or for personal reasons, organisers ask that you bring a bag only if it’s really necessary as this may delay entry into the event.
However, customers with access needs are more than welcome to bring a bag to any Manchester Pride events.
As there are a number of bars within the staged arenas, Pride won’t be allowing alcohol purchased outside the event to be brought into the staged areas. Pride also asks that all glass bottles and containers be left at home as they have a strict no glass policy in the public areas for everyone’s safety.