Music & Parties
The Refuge at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel: COME AS YOU ARE – Sunday 29th August
The Refuge’s annual celebration of love, music and inclusivity returns for its 10th anniversary outing. A free event, COME AS YOU ARE features an incredible line-up of DJs including Joe Goddard (Hot Chip), as well as an action-packed production of dance and moments curated by Manchester Drag Queens Anna Phylatic and Liquorice Black. The full line-up can be found here.
Aviva Studios, Factory International
Liberation Pride Pageant – Thursday 27th August
Aviva Studios will host the inaugural Liberation Pride Pageant, a free-to-attend showcase of bold artistry, jaw-dropping runway looks and pure drag energy. Held in The Social and hosted by acclaimed artist Rikki Beadle-Blair, the high-energy event marks the official launch of Liberation Pride, formerly Black Pride MCR. Audiences can expect electrifying performances and fierce competition as performers battle to be crowned the next POC Drag Superstar. Free to attend, advance booking is required here.
Fatt Butcher’s Congregational – Saturday 22nd August
Artist and vocalist Fatt Butcher invites audiences to Congregational, a powerful new performance that blends live music, theatre and nightlife into a unique ceremony for the dancefloor. Described as a newly composed choral service for the nightclub, the production reflects on the changing face of queer nightlife while celebrating the enduring power of community and togetherness. Featuring a live choir of professional queer vocalists, a superstar DJ, virtuosic piano accompaniment and an original score inspired by house, trance, gospel, classical and experimental music, Congregational promises an uplifting and unforgettable experience. Tickets are priced at £16.50 with a limited number of £10 Aviva tickets available. Book tickets here.
53Two
Grindr: The Opera, Wednesday 5th – Saturday 29th August
This musical parody throws the most notorious gay hook-up app into the exaggerated world of opera. Think catchy songs, witty dialogue and colourful characters with this unique and ground-breaking production exploring the impact of technology on human connection and the search for meaningful relationships. Suitable for those aged 16+, tickets can be booked here.
Freight Island
We Love Pop Fest, Saturday 22nd August
Celebrate late 90s and 00s pop classics with an incredible line-up of world-renowned pop stars including Nadine Coyle from Girls Aloud, A1, Bradley from S Club 7, Amelle from Sugarbabes and Liberty X.
Alongside feel-good anthems and throwback bangers, there’ll be roaming entertainment, hair & glitter stations and a range of street food vendors serving all day. Taking place from 2pm – 10pm, tickets for this unforgettable day party can be booked here.
Via Manchester
Claire Richards Live at Via, Wednesday 26th August
Claire Richards makes a welcome return to Via Manchester for an exclusive one-night-only performance, featuring solo favourites and unforgettable Steps anthems, creating the perfect party atmosphere in the run-up to Manchester Village Pride. Last seen at Via in 2023, tickets for Claire Richards 2026 performance can be booked here.
Joshua Brooks
Manchester Pride Weekender, Friday 28th – Monday 31st August
A three night, three floor pop takeover of Joshua Brooks is set to take place over the Pride weekend, featuring Girls Night Out, Pop Curious? Bar Minogue and Madonna Made Me Gay. Tickets are available to book here.
Brickhouse + VADA VADA
DILF Party, Saturday 29thAugust
Taking over not one but two newly refurbished venues, this year’s DILF Party at Brickhouse and VADA VADA features six DJs and nine performers, across five bars and four dance floors! Tickets can be booked here.
Kampus
Love Party 2026 – Saturday 29th August
Love Party returns to Kampus for its much-loved annual Pay What You Can Pride fundraiser, bringing together some of Manchester’s top queer DJs and performers for nine hours of music, entertainment and celebration. Taking over the gardens, bungalow and surrounding spaces, all profits from the event will support LGBTQIA+ charities, with this year’s beneficiaries being Trans Mutual Aid and the LGBT Foundation. Festival-goers can donate whatever they can afford, with tickets available on a pay-what-you-can basis (a suggested donation of £10), making it an accessible way to celebrate Pride while supporting two important causes. Book tickets here. Part of a weekend of events at Kampus, just a stones throw from The Village.
Fairfield Social Club
Red Rodeo Queer Line Dancing Club – Thursday 20th August
Red Rodeo Club brings its unique blend of queer line dancing and high-energy party vibes to Fairfield Social Club. Expect easy-to-follow line dance tutorials led by award-winning choreographer Shanika Sunrise, alongside an upbeat soundtrack spanning country classics to modern pop favourites. Hosted by Violet Blonde and featuring performances from local drag queens, kings and cabaret artists, the inclusive event welcomes dancers of all abilities to pull on their boots – or trainers – and join the celebration, with no previous line dancing experience required. Book tickets here.
Comedy & Quizzes
Social Refuge
Ancoats Quiz Night Pride Special – Thursday 27th August
Put your knowledge to the test at a special Manchester Pride edition of Ancoats Quiz Night at Social Refuge. Teams of up to six can compete across a variety of rounds, including general knowledge, music, picture, geography and history, with prizes including a £150 cash prize for the winning team and a bottle of wine or round of shots for the runners-up. Entry costs just £2.50 per person, with extra prizes also up for grabs for the most iconic team names. Book tickets here.
Pride Queer Comedy Night – Friday 28th August
Kick off the Manchester Pride Bank Holiday weekend with an evening of laughter at this queer stand-up comedy night hosted by Ben Hodge. Featuring four of Manchester’s finest queer comedians, audiences can expect an entertaining night of sharp wit, hilarious storytelling and unapologetic queer joy. Guests can also make the most of 2-for-1 cocktails available all day before the show. Tickets are priced at £10 and can be booked here.
VADA VADA
VADA HAHA Vol 2, Manchester’s Queer Comedy Club – Wednesday 26th August
VADA HAHA – Manchester’s Queer Comedy Club at Vada Vada – returns for its second event with a special Manchester Pride edition. The evening will showcase a stellar line-up of LGBTQ+ comedy talent, including award-winning performers, rising stars and even a headline TV comedian. Book tickets here.
Families
Aviva Studios
Factory Pride: Family – Saturday 22nd August
Celebrate Pride with a day of free family fun at The Social at Aviva Studios, packed with creative activities and entertainment for all ages. Join Ghetto Fabulous for the Feeling Fabulous Workshop and learn some runway moves to a feel-good soundtrack or take centre stage as the host of a special Play Your Cards Right game show with Creative Confidence CIC. Families can also enjoy badge making, face painting with Cookie Love and a LEGO station, making it the perfect place to celebrate Pride together. Free to attend and no booking required.
Manchester Central Library
Pride Storytime and Craft Session, Thursday 27th August
Head to Manchester Central Library for a special family story and craft session, featuring songs, rhymes and Pride-themed picture books. There’ll also be the opportunity to get crafty, creating protest signs and noise makers, providing the perfect start to the Pride weekend! Free to attend and suitable for children aged 4 – 7 and their families. More info can be found here.
Great Northern Warehouse
Proud Fest, Saturday 29th August
Created by Proud 2 b Parents, this free annual family-friendly festival returns to Great Northern Warehouse, welcoming LGBTQ+ parents, carers, children, prospective parents, friends and allies for a day filled with entertainment, creativity and community connection.
Hosted by the fabulous Aida H Dee (Drag Queen Story Hour UK) and Sara Gosney-Hughes (Greatest Hits Radio / Hits Radio Pride) and featuring live performances, arts and crafts, family entertainment, play activities and community stalls, the festival is free to attend, although donation tickets are available. More information can be found here.
Carl Austin-Behan, Spokesperson for Manchester Village Pride says: “We have been genuinely overwhelmed by the incredible support Manchester Village Pride has received from right across our city. People often say, ‘It Takes A Village,’ and this year Manchester has proved exactly that. From hotels and independent businesses to cultural venues, retailers, community organisations and countless individuals, all creating their own events, offers and celebrations alongside Manchester Village Pride, people have come together to show what Manchester does best: supporting one another.
“This year’s theme, ‘No Place Like Home,’ couldn’t be more fitting. Manchester has always been a city that welcomes people for who they are, and over the August Bank Holiday weekend we’re seeing that spirit come to life.
“It’s a powerful reminder that Pride belongs to the whole community. Whether you’re visiting the Gay Village, attending an exhibition, supporting a local business, enjoying live entertainment or simply showing your support, every single person is helping make this year’s Pride something truly special.”
Kumar Mishra, Chair of Manchester Accommodation BID, said: “It is fantastic to see Pride celebrations extended throughout August, offering visitors even more reasons to book a stay in Manchester and explore the city’s outstanding programme of LGBTQ+ events. Manchester Accommodation BID is proud to fund and deliver SCENE for the third year running, bringing LGBTQ+ film and television to venues across the city, and helping build excitement and momentum ahead of Manchester Village Pride.”