- This event has passed.
Manchester Pride Festival
August 25, 2023 - August 28, 2023
Every year, thousands of people flock to Manchester’s streets for the Manchester Pride Festival. Manchester Pride is a part of a global Pride movement that celebrates LGTBQ+ equality and challenges discrimination, and the Festival celebrates queer people, culture, and expression as loudly and publicly as possible in order to refuse to hide in shame.
The Manchester Pride Festival, which takes place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, features a variety of events, all of which are free to attend with the exception of the Gay Village Party, for which tickets are now on sale.
The Parade
The city’s biggest parade will be returning to the streets of Manchester city centre on Saturday 26 August, with the LGBTQ+ community and its allies marching for equality in front of thousands of spectators.
Gay Village Party
A space for all members of the LGBTQ+ family to come together, the Gay Village Party is the heart of the festival and a real celebration of LGBTQ+ life. The four-day street party will see a whole host of performances from LGBTQ+ artists and performers. Tickets are required to enter the Gay Village Party performances.
The Candlelit Vigil
The Candlelit Vigil is the culmination of Manchester Pride, closing the four-day Festival on Monday 28 August with a moment of reflection in Sackville Gardens. The home of Alan Turing, The National Transgender Memorial and the Beacon of Hope, the gardens are transformed into a sea of flickering candles to remember and honour those who we have lost to HIV and those who have been persecuted in the LGBTQ+ community, both here in the UK and around the world.
Superbia Weekend
Superbia, Manchester Pride’s year-round arts and culture programme, offers a culturally rich alternative to other elements of the festival, creating space for all with a series of alcohol-free events and premiers of new work from LGBTQ+ performers.
Human Rights Forum
Taking place on Friday 25 August, the Human Rights Forum will bring together prominent activists and thought leaders to discuss the challenges that continue to face LGBTQ+ communities today, and what we as individuals can do to bring about political and social change.
Youth Pride MCR
A safe and nourishing space for young people to experience Pride in a way designed just for them, Youth Pride MCR is a free event specially curated for those aged 14-18 fusing fashion, music, art, performance and creativity. Manchester Pride is the only UK Pride event to have a dedicated space for young people.
Family Pride MCR
It’s never too soon – or young – to start celebrating pride. Family Pride MCR provides a safe and inclusive space for people of all ages to enjoy Pride celebrations, with a special programme of events designed for little ones.
Tickets
Day tickets and weekend tickets are available, with all events scheduled on Monday 28 August free to attend, and low-income, family tickets, and VIP options available. £2.50 from every ticket will be donated to the Manchester Pride Community Fund, with the money going directly to LGBTQ+ causes and projects in Greater Manchester through the distribution of grants.
Weekend: £37.50
Friday ticket: £21.00
Saturday ticket: £31.00
Sunday ticket: £31.00
Monday ticket: Free plus £2.50 donation
Diamond VIP (weekend): £182.50
Gold VIP (weekend): £122.50
To ensure the Manchester Pride Festival is accessible and inclusive, in response to the cost of living crisis, more Low Income Tickets have been made available. Low-Income Ticket options and prices include*:
Weekend: £20.00
Friday ticket: £11.75
Saturday ticket: £16.75
Sunday ticket: £16.75
Family tickets are available priced at £57.00 for Saturday and £53.00 for Sunday. These tickets give access to a family of up to four people.
As part of our accessibility scheme, Manchester Pride offers one free personal assistant per ticket holder. Details can be found on the Accessibility section of our website.
*All tickets are subject to a 10% booking fee, fee is applied to the ticket only and not the £2.50 fixed donation.
Image Credit: Gemma Parker Photography
