Plan Your Manchester Pride 2025 Trip

This August, Manchester is set to host some of the largest LGBT+ events in the UK, celebrating queer culture in all its diversity. The city will come alive with a packed schedule of LGBTQ+ parades, parties, performances, and cultural events, including highlight moments like SCENE Festival and the iconic Manchester Pride.

Whether you’re visiting Manchester for the first time or returning to experience the magic again, this ultimate guide to LGBT+ events in August will help you plan your trip and enjoy every moment of your time in the city!

SCENE Festival: Queer Arts, Film, and Culture

• Date: Friday 15 – Thursday 21 August 2025
• Location: Across Manchester (New Century Hall, HOME, Aviva Studios, Printworks, First Street, CULTPLEX & more!)

Running in the lead-up to Pride weekend, the SCENE Festival is a celebration of queer storytelling, creativity, and performance. The first wave of programming features cult classics, iconic creators, musical tributes, and a very special reunion marking 10 years of Russell T Davies’ Cucumber. Running from Friday 15th to Thursday 21st August 2025, SCENE returns with a city-wide celebration of queer storytelling. Following its breakout debut in 2024, this year’s edition offers another week of powerful screenings, industry conversations and unforgettable events as part of Manchester Pride 2025.

The Year's Festival Will Feature:

• Film and TV screenings
• Club nights and performances
• Queer art installations and workshops
• Panels, Q&As, and special events

Events will take place in independent cinemas, bars, galleries, and community spaces. Sign up to the SCENE mailing list for updates about this year’s programme.

Key Event Highlights

10 Years of Cucumber + In Conversation with Russell T Davies & Cast

Wednesday 20th August | New Century Hall

Celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Channel 4’s Cucumber with its creator Russell T Davies (Queer as Folk, It’s A Sin), alongside cast members Vincent Franklin and Cyril Nri. Together they reflect on the show’s legacy, cultural impact, and lead character Henry’s (played by Franklin) journey through Manchester’s dating scene. Includes a selected episode screening and audience Q&A.

(Additional guests to be announced.)

Party Monster Screening + WOW Presents Plus Retrospective with Fenton Bailey & Randy Barbato

Sunday 17th August | Aviva Studios

The ground-breaking producers behind RuPaul’s Drag Race Fenton Bailey and Randy Barbato join us for a conversation on queer storytelling, how their fiercely independent spirit took them on the journey to creating their own platform, WOW Presents Plus, and the importance of honouring queer cultural history. Followed by a screening of one of their seminal films, Party Monster (2003), starring Macaulay Culkin as notorious club kid Michael Alig.

& more announced soon!

Where to Stay During SCENE Festival

Many local hotels are getting involved in this summer’s celebrations, offering special packages for hotel stays. Look out for Pride-exclusive offers, including:

• Up to 30% off room rates
• Drag-themed breakfasts and brunches
• Limited-edition Pride cocktails
• Free welcome gifts and surprises

Find out more about the exclusive Pride offers here. Stay close to the action and make the most of your time in the city.

Manchester Pride 2025

Taking place over the August Bank Holiday weekend, Manchester Pride returns with five days of celebration, protest, performance, and community. From the iconic Pride Parade to the all-new Mardi Gras experience, Manchester Pride 2025 is set to be one of the UK’s most dynamic and inclusive LGBTQ+ events.

Some events are free to attend, while others require a ticket so plan ahead to make sure you don’t miss out.

Manchester Pride Parade 2025

• Date: Saturday 23 August 2025, from midday
• Location: Manchester City Centre

The Pride Parade is one of the highlights of the weekend, and this year’s theme is The Love Parade - a celebration of how love has always empowered LGBTQ+ people to stay visible, strong, and united. Expect vibrant colour, energy, and emotion as thousands take part in one of the most iconic Pride parades in the world. The parade weaves its way through Manchester City Centre, offering a powerful and joyful reminder of the meaning behind Pride.

Mardi Gras: A Brand-New Pride Experience

• Date: Saturday 23 – Sunday 24 August 2025
• Location: Depot Mayfield and Freight Island

New for 2025, Mardi Gras is an immersive, three-day celebration of queer culture, performance, and music. Hosted at Depot Mayfield and Freight Island, this addition to the Pride weekend features a full line-up of global DJs, drag icons and live acts.

Headline performances include:

• Olly Alexander (Years & Years)
• Leigh-Anne (Little Mix)
• Billy Porter
• Queens from RuPaul’s Drag Race

Expect bold entertainment and a truly unforgettable Pride party. Book your tickets now!

Gay Village Party

• Date: Friday 22 – Sunday 25 August 2025
• Location: Gay Village – Canal Street and surrounding areas

One of the most anticipated parts of Manchester Pride, the Gay Village Party transforms the Canal Street area into a colourful celebration of LGBTQ+ life. This year’s programme includes both local and international performers, celebrating the heart of Manchester’s queer community through music, art, and entertainment.

The Rally

• Date: Friday 22 August 2025
• Location: Sackville Gardens, Manchester City Centre

Pride is more than celebration, it’s also a protest. The Rally opens the weekend with speeches, live performances, and a call to action from activists, artists, and community leaders. This free event brings people together to speak out against inequality and push for progress.

Family Pride MCR

• Date: Saturday 23 August 2025
• Location: Manchester City Centre

Family Pride is a dedicated space for LGBTQ+ parents, carers, and children. You can expect interactive workshops, creative activities, storytelling, and inclusive entertainment that celebrates the diversity of modern families. It’s a relaxed, welcoming event for people of all ages.

Candlelit Vigil

• Date: Monday 25 August 2025
• Location: Sackville Gardens, Manchester City Centre

Among the celebrations, Manchester Pride also creates space for reflection. The Candlelit Vigil is a moment of collective remembrance, honouring those lost to HIV and AIDS and standing in solidarity with people living with HIV today. Held in Sackville Gardens, this moving event closes the weekend with quiet unity, candlelight, and heartfelt tribute. It’s a reminder of the community’s history and the work that still lies ahead.

Where to Stay During Manchester Pride

Visitors to Manchester Pride can choose from a range of official partner hotels offering style, comfort, and proximity to the celebrations.

The Reach at Piccadilly and Marriott Manchester Piccadilly are official package partners, perfect for those seeking a complete Pride experience with exclusive benefits.

Other great spaces to stay include Clayton Hotel Manchester City Centre, voco Manchester, and Holiday Inn, all offering convenient stays close to the festivities. For guests looking to stay where the action is, Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, The Alan, and Castlefield Hotel will be hosting special Pride-related activities throughout the weekend.

More Events in Manchester This August

In addition to Pride and SCENE Festival, the city will be packed with events and cultural celebrations throughout August. Highlights include:

• LGBTQ+ history tours and exhibitions
• Pride-themed menus at top restaurants
• Rooftop parties and late-night club events
• Pop-up markets, drag brunches, and more

Manchester’s creative community always shows up for Pride, so expect exciting collaborations, street performances, and one-off experiences across the weekend.

Make Your Pride One to Remember

With so much happening across the city, it’s worth giving yourself time to take it all in. Start planning your trip now and be part of Manchester Pride 2025!