June marks Pride Month across the world, to commemorate the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Pride Month is now dedicated to the celebration and commemoration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender pride. Pride Month is about acceptance, equality and celebrating the work of LGBTQ+ people, it raises awareness about LGBTQ+ history and educates the public about issues that still need to be addressed to this day.  

Although the city of Manchester typically waits for the August Bank Holiday to kick off its pride celebrations, the city has a rich and fascinating LGBTQ+ History which means you can find a way to celebrate Pride Month in true Mancunian style.  

For example, Manchester has one of the United Kingdom's largest LGBT community outside of London and is renowned for its Gay Village centred around Canal Street. It hosted the UK’s first ever dedicated Pride event (aside from parades) in the UK in 1990 and the world’s first permanent Trans Memorial Garden unveiled in Manchester’s Sackville Gardens in 2013.  

Whether you identify as LGBTQ+ or simply believe in equality and inclusion, recognising the importance of Pride Month and celebrating the progress made for LGBTQ+ rights is not only an important thing to do but it can also be educational and fun for the whole family.  

Here are just some ways you can mark Pride Month in Greater Manchester:  

Visit the Gay Village  

A beacon of celebration in the city and an icon of the LGBTQ+ scene, Manchester’s Gay Village is a welcoming community of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and businesses open to all. Centred around Canal Street, you can expect to find a flourishing queer scene with entertainment for all persuasions on every night of the week. The party never stops and you don’t have to either.  

Person dressed in Pride colours waving flag above crowd on Canal Street, Manchester

Check out the Alan Turing Statue  

Computer science pioneer Alan Turing worked at the University of Manchester and is honoured with a statue in Sackville Gardens. Every year on Turing’s birthday, a candlelit vigil remembers his pioneering work in computing and the persecution he faced for being gay. If you’re looking for a way to learn about the troubles faced by the LGBTQ+ community throughout history, this is a poignant place to start.  

Gardens with people sat on benches within trees

LGBT+ nightlife outside the village  

Whilst the Gay Village is the centre of LGBT+ life, fringe venues across the city have popped up providing alternative queer nights; in the Northern Quarter, Kiss Me Again takes place at Soup Kitchen, whilst Bollox goes all out in queer protest at Deaf Institute; and Hidden – an industrial warehouse turned club hosts Homoelectric in the middle of a Salford industrial estate. Elsewhere, The Refuge regularly welcomes all to Come As You Are at its queer parties, whilst HOME exhibits LGBT+ cinema and art.  

Follow the rainbow heritage trail 

Follow the LGBTQ+ Heritage Trail rainbow mosaics scattered across the city and you’ll discover rainbow bees on street bollards and street art murals around Canal Street. All of these make perfect snaps for Instagram or the trail itself will make equally brilliant TikTok content for Pride Month. Elsewhere, find the rainbow stairs in bohemian emporium Afflecks, which display messages of no hate, transphobia and homophobia, perfect to send a message to your friends, family and followers that you’re supporting Pride Month.

While Manchester Pride is the best-known pride celebration in our region, it’s not the only one. Every borough has its celebrations which feature live entertainment, family fun, events and educational opportunities. These safe spaces mean that everyone is welcome to come and party together as one.  

To help you celebrate inclusivity, love and more, here are all of the pride events across Greater Manchester this summer:  

Salford’s Pink Picnic  

Saturday 22 June 2024 

For Salford’s annual Pride event, The Pink Picnic takes over Peel Park for a celebration of Lesbian, Gal, Bisexual, Trans and Non-binary people across the city. With headliners Bailey Mills,  Cara Melle, Heather Small, Kelly Llorenna  and Charley Marlowe alongside stalls, activities and entertainment The Pink Picnic aims to build a stronger, more diverse community that celebrates inclusion and equality.  

Rochdale Pride  

Saturday 13 July 2024 

With theatre, music, drag and dance, workshops, history discussions, parties and more, Rochdale Pride is the borough’s annual pride event at the newly refurbished Rochdale Town Hall. Everyone is welcome, most events are free but some may require tickets.  

Sparkle Weekend 2024  

Friday 12 –  Sunday 14 July  

As the world’s largest free-to-attend celebration of gender diversity, The Sparkle Weekend is a festival-style family event featuring live music, entertainment, talks and workshops for anyone who identifies as gender non-conforming, their families, friends and allies. Hosted in Sackville Gardens in the city centre.  

Tameside Pride   

Saturday 15 June 

With a variety of acts throughout the afternoon, food, market stalls and a fairground, Tameside Pride is fun for all ages. This free-to-all event is held from noon on Saturday 15 June in Cheetham’s Park, Stalybridge for a celebration of inclusivity, love and self-expression.  

Oldham Pride   

Saturday 20 - Sunday 21 July 

Oldham Pride will take place between 20 – 21 July. There will be a pre-pride party in The George Tavern on Friday, a parade, open-air stage and community stalls on Saturday and on Sunday a community picnic will be held in Alexandra Park with a Pride Service at Oldham Parish Church. There’s a whole host of fun for the whole family.  

Pride in Bolton 

Saturday 25 – Sunday 26 May 

Pride Bolton will be back with another fantastic line-up. Bringing together the borough’s diverse communities Bolton Pride involves a parade, performances and more fun to empower the LGBTQ+ community and celebrate allyship across the borough.  

Stockport Pride   

Sunday 2 June  

Stockport Pride is a yearly festival for the local LGBTQ+ community which takes place in the town’s historic Market Place on Sunday 2 June. Charities, community groups, drag acts, musicians and local makers will all come out in force to celebrate equality and empowerment across the community.  

Levenshulme Pride   

Friday 9 – Sunday 11 August  

A completely free, inclusive and fabulous event, Levenshulme Pride is the largest free local Pride in Manchester, outside of the city centre. Taking place from Friday 9 to Sunday 11 August, Levenshulme pride counteracts hatred by showing pride in the community and celebrating the variety of people living there. It’s a celebration for everyone with a lineup of events and activities to show solidarity and support.  

Wigan Pride   

Saturday 10 August  

Promoting and celebrating equality and diversity, Wigan Pride brings together arts, music, street parade and positive messages. This feel-good summer party is a fantastic day of entertainment for the whole family including people of every race and faith, from all sexualities and genders. The parade and performances  aim to remind the local community that equality should not be taken for granted and make sure that it continues.  

Bury Pride  

Saturday 1 June  

Celebrating pride in Bury this year will take place at Knowsley Street in Bury town centre. It’ll bring together the borough’s arts, drag, dance and music performances alongside the parade. Headlined by drag race superstar Davina de Campo, this summer celebration is a great day of entertainment and support.  

If you know of more ways to celebrate Pride across Greater Manchester that we haven’t included in this roundup, contact us to let us know.  

To find out about more events taking place across the region, visit our What’s on Page or look through our ideas and inspiration.