Manchester Pride Festival Is Buzzin’ To Be Back In The City As It Returns For 2024

The four day event across the August Bank Holiday weekend will see thousands flock to the city to attend the celebrations 

Manchester Pride Festival, which brings thousands of people onto the streets of Manchester each year, has revealed its huge programme of events and activities with an iconic theme for 2024 as the Manchester Bee takes pride of place.

Paying homage to Manchester’s iconic worker bee, Manchester Pride has announced the theme for this year’s Parade, taking place on Saturday 24th August, as ‘Buzzin To Be Queer - A Hive of Progress’. 

The festival itself will kick off on Friday 23 August with celebrations rounding off on Monday 26 August, including the annual parade through the streets of Manchester, a powerful march symbolising the enduring significance of unity, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality.

The festival, which has been awarded ‘Best Large Festival’ at the UK Festival Awards previously, is an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ life and brings together LGBTQ+ communities  and allies to celebrate and protest.

Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said: “We’re back this year with a theme that we feel will unite the people of Manchester and our visitors under the iconic symbol of the Manchester Bee. This symbol means so much to the city, demonstrating how Mancunians work hard to achieve great things and stand together in unity. Mancunians are proud to champion the city’s diverse communities and celebrate our differences.

“This year we will celebrate our theme of  ‘Buzzin’ to be Queer - A Hive of Progress’ and see the ‘Progress Bee’ become more than a symbol, instead becoming a call to action. It reminds us that, just like worker bees collaborating in a hive, LGBTQ+ communities and their allies can achieve great things when we work together to influence change. It also symbolises the ongoing commitment to progress for LGBTQ+ inclusivity and equality that Manchester Pride champions all year round.”

The events of Manchester Pride Festival 2024 are free to attend with the exception of the Gay Village Party - tickets for which will be available through Ticketmaster. 

The first general release tickets for the Gay Village Party and VIP options went on sale Friday 2nd February.

Weekend tickets are now available at £37.50*, with £2.50 from every ticket being 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. 

There are a variety of ticket offerings available including day tickets and weekend passes, with all events scheduled on Monday 26 August free to attend, and low income and family tickets will be available in the coming weeks. 

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 this year with options announced soon. Family tickets are also available and priced at £54 for Saturday and £54 for Sunday. These tickets give access to a family of up to four people. 

As part of the accessibility scheme, Manchester Pride offers one free personal assistant per ticket holder. Details can be found on the Accessibility section of the Manchester Pride website.

Every year the festival line up offers a wide range of activities for the LGBTQ+ community to join together and celebrate as well as providing opportunities to advocate for LGBTQ+ equality, engage families and young people, and celebrate queer arts and culture. These include:

Manchester Pride Parade 

The city’s biggest parade will be returning to the streets of Manchester city centre on Saturday 24 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.

Candlelit Vigil 

The Candlelit Vigil is the culmination of Manchester Pride, closing the four day Festival on Monday 26 August with a moment of reflection in Sackville Gardens. The home of Alan Turing Memorial, 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+ creatives.

Human Rights Forum 

Taking place on Friday 23 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.

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.

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.

To register for tickets and to be on the mailing list for updates about Manchester Pride , visit manchesterpride.com/tickets.

Published: 23-Feb-2024: (7392)