Those attending the four-day LGBTQ+ celebration have reported being turned away from the Gay Village
17:27, 23 Aug 2025Updated 19:44, 23 Aug 2025
Those heading to The Gay Village have been told they need a wristband to enter
Thousands have begun gathering in Manchester city centre as annual Pride celebrations get underway. Thought to attract hundreds of thousands of people every year, it is one of the UK’s biggest Pride celebrations.
The bank holiday spectacular promises a host of high profile performances, celebrity moments and joyous celebration as the likes of Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne and Nelly Furtado take to the stage.
Spread across four days, some of the main features are the Gay Village Party and the Mardi Gras performances – the latter taking place at Mayfield Depot this year.
The Mardi Gras stage area is a ticketed area and will be where the main headliners will perform across Saturday and Sunday.
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The Gay Village will also host the Gay Village Party, which is ticketed, and will feature a range of acts like Diana Vickers and B*Witched, as well as Diva’s Only with Misty Chance and Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show.
Manchester Pride takes place across the August Bank Holiday weekend (Image: Kenny Brown | Manchester Evening News)
The annual celebration got underway on Friday night with revellers heading into the Village to see a number of live acts. However, a number of people have reported being denied access to the Gay Village.
On Friday evening and Saturday afternoon, attendees without wristbands reported being “turned away” from the entrances to the Village, despite tickets not previously being required to enter because it is a public area.
Tickets, which are swapped for wristbands are typically only needed to access the two stages in the Gay Village and Mayfield Depot where Mardi Gras is taking place.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News today, several attendees alleged that they were stopped from entering, or had to argue with security staff to get into the Village via the East Gate on Minshull Street, which is nearest to Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station.
Signs have appeared at the entrance gates on Minshull Street
Some told the M.E.N. that they were informed that a new policy was in place and signs have also appeared on some of the entrances.
The sign on Minshull Street reads: “For everyone’s safety no wristband, no entry. CCTV in operation for the purpose of safety and security.”
There is also a long queue forming on Chorlton Street. Speaking to security staff on the gates for this entrance, they said people could not access without a paid wristband.
On X, one person trying to enter the Village wrote: “Manchester pride blocking access to a public right of way for ppl who dont have wrist bands. woohoo happy pride.”
On the Manchester Pride website, it states: “Manchester Pride is a festival made up of many events, most of which are free.
Queues forming on Chorlton Street(Image: MEN)
“We have two ticketed events as part of our celebrations: the Gay Village Party, and a brand new event for 2025, Mardi Gras.
“All Mardi Gras ticket holders have a Weekend Gay Village Supporter Band included in their ticket purchase.
“Gay Village venues will operate a ‘No Gay Village Supporter Band No Entry’ policy so you would need a Gay Village Support Band to be able to participate.”
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On whether you have to pay to get into The Village, it adds: “The Gay Village Party will run over 4 days and will ask all participants to contribute to helping run a safe and inclusive event in the Gay Village by purchasing a Gay Village Supporter Band which will help to support cleaning, waste management, road closure fees and productions costs.”
A spokesperson for Manchester Pride commented today: “There is a clear safety and wellness policy in force at the Gay Village Party, of which the Gay Village is at the heart of. This policy has been created to support the delivery of a space for our communities to celebrate their identities safely.
“Bag searches are taking place at all gates and we request that everyone attending our events respects the safety and wellness policy.
“By displaying your village supporter bands on entry you are sending a clear message that you support the event and the safety of those attending.”
Earlier today, A Manchester Pride 2025 headliner has pulled out of the festival – just hours before they were due to perform on stage.
Organisers announced during the Parade that singer Billy Porter will no longer be performing at this year’s Pride.
The singer had been due on the Mardi Gras stage at Depot Mayfield at 9.05pm on Saturday night.
Billy Porter is no longer performing at Pride (Image: Getty Images for BAFTA)
In a statement on, Pride organisers said: “We’re sad to share that Billy Porter will no longer be able to perform at Mardi Gras today due to illness.
We know many of you were looking forward to their set, but we still have loads of amazing performances today.”
Billy, 55, is known for originating the role of Lola in Kinky Boots, following its Broadway debut in 2013. His role of Pray Tell on the hit TV show Pose, further solidified him as a household name around the world and earned him both Emmy and Golden Globe awards.
A spokesperson for Manchester Pride commented: “There is a clear safety and wellness policy in force at the Gay Village Party, of which the Gay Village is at the heart of. This policy has been created to support the delivery of a space for our communities to celebrate their identities safely.
“Bag searches are taking place at all gates and we request that everyone attending our events respects the safety and wellness policy.
“By displaying your village supporter bands on entry you are sending a clear message that you support the event and the safety of those attending.”