From tours to screenings to raves, on Canal Street and beyond, there really is something for everyone...
It’s that time of the year again, Manchester gets drenched in rainbow as we celebrate our LGBTQ+ community, and what a community it is.
From club nights to history tours, family events to cinema, queer art markets, science, theatre and protest it’s all on offer in the gear up for the gayest weekend of the year.
Here are the best ways to celebrate Pride in Manchester this year…
LGBTQ+ History Guided Tour
Discover centuries of LGBTQ+ history on the streets of Manchester through a guided walking tour. As part of SCENE’s Pride programme they’re hosting a number of tours celebrating LGBTQ+ history across everything from Victorian drag balls to the city’s famous pride parade and the queer activism that’s been present on the streets of Manchester for hundreds of years. There’s five dates from now until the end of Pride weekend, and what better way to mark it than to reflect on what happened on the very cobbles we walk on that made way for such a joyful celebration.
SCENE Opening Event: The Traitors
Manchesters LGBTQ+ film and TV festival kicks off with a bang with an evening celebrating one of the biggest TV shows of recent years, The Traitors. Whether you’re a 100% faithful or have traitorous tendencies, re-live the best moments from the show that’s been captivating the nation every autumn with TV Journalist Scott Bryan, everyone’s favourite terrible traitor Linda Rands and show icon Wilf Webster amongst a few other fan favourites. After a panel discussing all the twists and turns of the last few years, they’re hosting a Traitors party. Think goblets of fizzy rosé and tunes from the turret.
Red Rodeo Queer Line Dancing Club
Red Rodeo bring their unique blend of queer line dancing and party vibes to Manchester’s Fairfield Social Club. Expect a packed dancefloor with easy-to-follow routines choreographed by Shanika Sunrise with an iconic soundtrack to match. Hosted by Violet Blonde, there’ll be performances from local drag queens, kings and cabaret artists including special guest Banksie from Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK. No gear or idea needed, complete novices are welcome to show up in whatever makes them feel good, the only requirement is a willingness to dance and an attitude of love and respect.
Factory’s Family Pride
As part of Factory’s Pride celebrations they’re hosting a day of creative activities for the whole family. There’ll be a badge making station, face painting with Cookie Love, a lego station and even a chance to host a game show. There’s more to be announced and it’s free to attend so get it in your diary.
Fatt Butcher’s Congregational
Join Fatt Butcher in a service to the nightclub – part concert, part communion and sure to be unforgettable. Fatt Butcher is a an award-winning cabaret artist and vocalist, joined by a queer choir, live piano and a DJ they will perform a ceremony to the dancefloor, with an original score of newly composed hymns blending house, trance, gospel, classical and experimental music. Sure to be a night of queerness, celebration and creativity.
SCENE: Ab-Fab-A-Thon
Manchester’s LGBTQ+ film and TV festival is back with another banger as they host a night of Absolutely Fabulous madness. Hosted by drag queens Anna Phylactic and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Banksie as Eddie and Patsy, there’ll be games, episode screenings and an Ab Fab catwalk. What more could you want, darling? (Maybe a glass or two of Bolly, sweetie).
Re/Assemble guided tour
The People’s History Museum are putting on a guided tour of their Re/Assemble exhibition as a warm up to Manchester Pride. The exhibition features specially commissioned artworks responding to the legacy of Section 28, exploring themes of protest and resilience and celebrating queer voices and creativity. The tour will be led by a member of IAP:MCR, a Manchester based arts collective which creates and presents artworks by queer artists and which curated the Re/Assemble exhibition so you’ll get insider knowledge on the thought process behind both the art and the exhibition.
Heartstopper Forever – In Conversation with Alice Oseman
As part of SCENE Festival, Heartstopper creator Alice Oseman reflects on the journey of Nick and Charlie from the original webcomic and bestselling graphic novels to the globally successful Netflix series. Featuring clips, candid conversation and plenty of nostalgia, the event will also explore Heartstopper Forever, the recently released conclusion to a story that has become a defining celebration of kindness, queer joy and the power of being seen.
It’s A Sin – Full Series and Panel
All five episodes of Russell T Davies’ landmark drama It’s A Sin will be screened together on the big screen for the first time, tracing the lives of Ritchie, Roscoe, Colin and their friends through the joy, freedom and devastation of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Before the marathon, Davies will join executive producer Nicola Shindler, producer Phil Collinson and members of the cast and crew for a panel exploring the real stories behind the series, its lasting legacy and its forthcoming transformation into a Rambert dance production.
The Science and Industry Museum’s Pride Programme
The Science and Industry Museum are celebrating Pride with a programme of events across August. Go to a spotlight talk on the life and legacy of one of the most famous mathematicians and computer scientists in the world, LGBTQ+ and Manchester icon, Alan Turing. Or, investigate the daily display celebrating his contribution to computer technology including the Manchester ‘Baby’ computer and Baiba Auria’s rainbow portrait. Across Pride Weekend, create your own colourful protest banner in the Textiles Gallery, or Saturday sees the University of Manchester hosting a special Get Curious event celebrating LGBTQIA+ STEM professionals.
Grindr: The Opera!
Grindr gets its own musical in this satirical look at the changing landscape of gay relationships. The popular hook-up app becomes anthropomorphised into a mythical siren who feeds on human lust, in this show that features music ranging from contemporary pop to baroque. Everyone’s heard of hook-ups so dramatic they deserve their own operatic ode, well look no further.
Queer Art Market
Ahead of Manchester Pride, Seesaw are hosting a Queer Art Market. Bringing Pride back to it’s community roots, it’ll be an evening celebrating queer joy and creativity as you peruse through the work of local queer artists, including, ceramics, plushies, clothing and jewellery. If you’re not into the big parties, or just want the celebrations to start early, it’s a wonderful way to kick off Pride.
Come As You Are at Refuge
Come As You Are turns ten this year and Refuge are going even bigger and better. The annual Pride Party is known for being an unforgettable celebration of homegrown LGBTQ+ talent and love, curated into the perfect party. This year, internationally acclaimed musician Joe Goddard headlines for what is sure to be an unmissable set.
Liberation Pride Pageant
Kicking off Liberation Pride, Factory hosts the Liberation Pride Pageant – witness the rising stars of POC drag as they take to the runway. Hosted by actor, director and playwright Rikki Beadle-Blair MBE and director, producer, and choreographer Darren Pritchard, performances are sure to be outstanding as queens compete for the crown. Tickets are free but limited so grab ’em while they’re hot.
Pride Story Time and Craft Session
Manchester Central Library are kicking off Pride weekend with a family story time and craft session. Browse their range of LGBTQ+ children’s books and take part in an interactive story time with songs, rhymes and Pride-themed picture books. Then get crafty, creating protest signs and noise makers. Aimed at children 4-7 and their families, there’s no booking required just drop in when you fancy.
The House of Pantha Ferocious Cabaret
This pre-Pride celebration showcases the best in Manchester’s queer cabaret scene. An unapologetically queer evening, audiences can expect burlesque, boylesque, drag and circus performances ranging from seductive and scandalous to bold and high-energy. Led by Cleopantha, a Manchester born and raised burlesque performer who has been voted best burlesque performer in the UK, you can expect a curated evening of unbelievable talent that also supports the next generation of performers.
Soft Supper: Pride Edition
The ongoing series of supper clubs where alcohol is de-centred returns for a Pride special. Creator and all-round sobriety icon Karl Considine is behind the event. After going sober in January 2021, he’s built a platform talking all things sobriety, ADHD and his queer identity. Now he brings a dedicated Pride edition for those who want to celebrate without alcohol. For £45pp guests will enjoy a bistro-style sharing menu from the team at Tartuffe, a welcome drink and a goodie bag. There’s also a full non-alcoholic drinks menu created to go along with it. The Pride edition is open to the LGBTQ+ community, allies, friends and family who enjoy good food and a clear head.
Katie Price at Via
Via kick off their Pride Weekend with a performance by the legendary Katie Price. Open as usual to dance the night away and celebrate all the joy and diversity of Pride, Friday night of Pride Weekend will have some extra pizzaz as they welcome Pricey herself. Other scheduled performances across the weekend include noughties pop icon Una Healy, from The Saturdays, soap star Adam Rickitt and West End and Broadway singer Christina Bianco.
Phat Pride Rave
Phat Collective take over renae’s top floor for a Pride Weekend celebration, bringing a carefully curated five-hour journey through UK underground dance music. The principle is simple, the BPM goes up and up. Kicking the night off with house and bassline, ROBBY takes control of the decks followed by UK garage and funk with NELL. As the night goes on PΛU takes over to tuck into some bounce techno. Join for a journey that celebrates the full spectrum of UK club culture in one night – what better way to kick off Pride Weekend.
Pride Queer Comedy Night
Ben Hodge hosts a night of queerness and laughter in this special Pride stand-up night. Ben and four other LGTBTQ+ stand-ups will take to the stage at Social Refuge to show off their quick wit, hilarious stories and unapologetic queer joy. Social Refuge’s 2-4-1 cocktails will be available throughout, so why not kick off Pride weekend with some belly laughs.
Joshua Brooks Pride Weekender
A three-night, three-floor poptastic takeover of Joshua Brooks to celebrate Pride – what more could you want? Pop Curious?, Girls Night Out, Made Me Gay and Bar Minogue take over as they host a theme per floor all celebrating the very best in pop. Whether you love the pop girlies of the past, present or future there’s something here for you with the Minogue sisters, Madonna, Europop or the best of the moment themed DJ sets. Pick and mix or go to all three nights, sure to pop off.
Body Talk presents Madonna & Kylie: Manchester Pride Party
Honouring the coming together of two of the biggest gay icons in the world as they release their new single, Body Talk is taking over YES’ Pink Room for a night dedicated to Madonna and Kylie. Expect all the classic hits from the pop legends, all night long, as Ollie Waldron pays homage to the mothers of the pop scene in a 4-hour long set.
Manchester Village Pride
The city’s renowned four day Pride celebration is back in venues across the Gay Village for the bank holiday. All the elements we’ve come to know and love will return, including three stages of queer artistry, the parade and the parties. Plus, Monday sees a family day with free entry, creating a relaxed atmosphere for the final day of celebrations. Expect musical acts including Booty Luv & Big Brovaz, Freemasons and Nadine Coyle, drag performances, partying and protest – all in an atmosphere of abundant love, acceptance and unapologetic joy.
Treehouse Hotel Pride Programme
Treehouse have put on a comprehensive Pride Programme for all your Pride Weekend needs. Kicking off on Friday with a collaboration with Gaydio, Saturday morning sees pre-pride makeovers and Sunday it’s time for a ‘retox’ to get you ready to go out again. All that and more, with discounted prices and inclduded charitable donations, why not treat yourself to a long weekend staycation?
Kampus Love Party 2026
Celebrating ten years, Kampus’ annual Love Party is back for Pride 2026. As always its pay what you can, and this year they’re supporting two charities: Trans Mutual Aid Manchester and The LGBT Foundation. Taking over the gardens, bungalow and beyond with loads of local LGBTQ+ talent, good vibes and top food just over the way from Canal Street – pitch up here for a day of love.
Mollie’s Pride Jazz Brunch
Mollie’s are hosting a Pride edition of their Sunday Jazz Brunch’s. Get 90 minutes of steak, sliders and sharing plates plus a choice of five drinks from the bar including classic cocktails, beer, wine and even fizz. All that while enjoying endless sessions of live jazz, soaking in the exquisite vintage decor and seated in plush velvet booths. Book from 2pm until 4pm, the perfect way to round off a busy weekend.
Read More:
Mood II Swing to play rooftop food festival Live From The Grill
Where kids eat free in Manchester this summer
The best gigs and club nights in Manchester in September
Tags:
Art Cocktails Music and Dancing Pride