While the main Manchester Pride party takes over the Gay Village on Bank Holiday weekend, there’s plenty of other ways to celebrate the city’s LGBTQ+ community. Whether that’s the open mic night with HEADS, or family fun at Factory International, there really is something for everyone.
HEADS Open Mic – Queer Voices
Join HEADS Creative for an evening of celebrating queer voices with music and poetry at their latest Open Mic event at the new CUPRA City Garage. Hosted by Doll Parts’ Ellie Bebb and supported by DJ Charley Bolton on the decks, performers can apply via the open mic form on the HEADS Instagram for a chance to get on stage. A space to inspire creativity and celebrate together, everyone is welcome to attend.
Come As You Are 2025
Returning to the Refuge for another weekend of pure abandon, Come As You Are will be taking over the bar and the terrace, one of the city’s grandest outdoor spaces to go dancing. They’ll be teaming up with Iconic queer Ibiza party Flash for the full weekend. Flash will take over the terrace on the Saturday and Sunday, plus old friends and CAYA favourites like Supernature Disco, Brett Denning, Una Lee and Jamie Bull will be creating even more magic for their 9th year.
Scene Festival 2025
SCENE, Manchester’s very own LGBTQ+ film and TV festival, returns to the city from Friday 15 to Thursday 21 August. The festival will welcome a bold and vibrant line-up of queer storytelling through film, television, music and live performances, as part of Manchester Pride 2025. The line-up also includes a heartfelt preview of Departures, the debut feature from Manchester-based filmmakers Neil Ely and Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, and a riotous celebration of comedy legend Victoria Wood in The Victoria Wood-A-Thon hosted by Make A Scene. Elsewhere, there’s 10 Years of Cucumber – In Conversation with Russell T Davies, Waterloo Road: Everyone Welcome, Showgirls 30th Anniversary Screening, Drag Takeover and loads more.
Drag and Draw: Life Drawing Pride Edition with Liquorice Black
Get ready for Manchester Pride with Drag and Draw, an event that blends art and drag in a spectacular way. Guests are invited to unleash their inner artist and capture the glamour and charisma of local Drag Queen Liquorice Black in their art. No experience is needed and all materials are provided.
Burlesque Off The Wall: Pride Special
Join Band On The Wall for a celebration of queer joy, fierce femme energy, and the timeless art of the tease. Kick off Manchester Pride in style with a glittering, intimate night of jaw-dropping burlesque and live music, starring some of the UK’s fiercest performers. Hosted by the high-energy drag queen Harvey Rose, with unforgettable acts from international burlesque icon Gina Stirling, Manchester’s dark-glamour showgirl Vil, rising star Luna Valentine, and a special debut by producer and burlesque enchantress Renée Du Maurier.
Bruk Out – Pride Edition
Head over to Hula in NQ for Pride’s hottest warm up party. Start the Manchester Pride weekend off right at the city’s newest queer night, playing the hottest dancehall, afro and RnB hits with DJ Nay Maxwell and DJ Cam.
Factory Pride: Family
Join the team at Factory International to celebrate Manchester Pride with free creative activities for the whole family. Aviva Studios will host a number of creative sessions including craft workshops, face painting and storytelling, as well as circus skills, dance classes and football-themed activity packs.
Manchester Pride 2025
Manchester Pride returns for another iconic celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. The four-day event will see acts perform across the brand-new Mardi Gras event and legendary Gay Village party from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August 2025, as part of the wider Pride celebrations across the city.
This year’s music headliners include Brit Award-winner Olly Alexander, multi-platinum selling Leigh-Anne and Hollywood superstar Billy Porter. They will be joined on the bill by chart topping acts like Tulisa, Big Freedia, Tayce, Sonique and Louis Johnson, as well as internationally acclaimed drag queen, DJ, and music producer, Jodie Harsh, and multi-award winning cabaret artist, Danny Beard with The Danny Beard Show.
In addition, Manchester Pride has worked with community collectives to commission a number of immersive shows. Following roaring success at Factory International last June, House of MCR will return to bring together dance, singing, lip-syncing, and fashion. Kulture Cabaret will also take to the stage with its celebration of queer South Asian and Middle Eastern performers, presented by Lucky Roy Singh.
These performers are part of the first ever line up at the brand new Mardi Gras event, which will take place at Depot Mayfield and Freight Island on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August.
The iconic Gay Village Party is also set to return from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August with performances from the likes of Samantha Mumba, B*Witched and Sister Sledge featuring Kathy Sledge across two stages. Festival-goers will also have access to a thrilling funfair, market stalls, and pop-up food vendors.
San Carlo Fumo Terrace Party
This Pride weekend, sophisticated Italian spot San Carlo Fumo – just off St. Peter’s Square – celebrate all things ‘amore’ with a terrace party. Expect DJs, gelato and good vibes – a distinctly Italian take on the biggest party in town. Performers on stilts will bring a carnival vibe, while a live saxophonist and DJ set the perfect soundtrack for the day. Hosting the afternoon is none other than West End star Sam Buttery, known for their dazzling vocals and hilarious stage presence. Expect a mix of fantastic live singing, comedic performances, and interactive games.
Sexy Fish Pride Party
For one day only, Sexy Fish in Manchester is teaming up with London’s fabulously outrageous queer collective House of Trash. Head over to the Spinningfields spot as they host an unmissable Sexy Pride Party to celebrate Manchester Pride. Known for their unapologetic energy and flair, House of Trash will be bringing their iconic vibe to the city for the very first time – headlined by none other than the legendary Bimini. Guests can expect a day of glam, with drag performances, House of Trash MC’s, and non-stop vibes from resident DJs. The full Sexy Fish experience will also be on offer with the a la carte or a set menu available, which can be paired with bottomless Hendricks cocktails for £30 per person.
Love Grows Here
As the city comes together for Manchester Pride, Treehouse Hotel Manchester celebrate love with a special Love Grows Here stay package, in support of the LGBTQ+ community. The package includes up to 30% off the best available rates and a £10 donation to the LGBT Foundation for every booking made under this offer.
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