Manchester Pride’s hugely popular annual parade is FINALLY returning this summer, after two years in a row of cancellations.
Tens of thousands of people will pour into the city centre to watch the procession of colour and celebration.
Tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ people and allies will also take part in the Manchester Pride Parade, the first since 2019.
Here’s everything you need to know if you’re heading out to watch the parade.
What’s the theme of the Manchester Pride Parade?
Manchester Pride Parade. Credit: Supplied
This year’s theme will be ‘March for Peace’, chosen to highlight the importance of peace, and work towards a world where all LGBTQ+ people can live and love without prejudice.
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Mark Fletcher, CEO at Manchester Pride, said: “In 2020 we had decided to theme the parade as our March for Peace. Sadly the pandemic took hold and we were unable to take to the streets.
“As we look around the world today, this theme has become even more relevant.
“Conflict within and outside of our communities is rife and we are calling on our LGBTQ+ communities and allies around Greater Manchester to join in and support us as we March for Peace.”
Returning after two years, the Manchester Pride Parade will be a feel-good procession that organisers say will ‘wow crowds across Manchester and send the world a big, bright, colourful message that everyone deserves to live and love with peace’.
When is the Manchester Pride Parade?
The parade will take place on Saturday 27 August in the afternoon and is always a highlight of the weekend and Manchester’s overall events calendar.
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The parade will start at midday at its start point near Beetham Tower on Deansgate and it tends to take around 90 minutes for groups to walk the route.
Parade route
Its route will start at the junction of Liverpool Road and Deansgate, then weave along Peter Street, Oxford Road, Portland Street, Princess Street and Whitworth Street, finishing on Fairfield Street.
There’ll be an accessible viewing area on Peter Street, near the Central Library and St Peter’s Square.
The full parade route is in the above map.
Weather forecast
Good news for Manchester Pride-goers – there’s no rain in the forecast for the August bank holiday weekend.
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Instead, we’re looking at four days of sunny spells and warm (ish) temperatures – perfect parade conditions.
Friday is forecast to be 21 degrees and cloudy, while Saturday and Sunday should both hit 22 degrees, according to the Met Office.
Charli XCX announces massive Manchester arena gig as part of long-awaited UK and European tour
Emily Sergeant
Charli XCX has finally given UK fans the news they’ve been waiting for.
After the genre-bending popstar announced back in June a series of US gigs this autumn to support and celebrate the release of her eighth studio albumMusic, Fashion, Film – which was met with critical acclaim following its release in late July – fans in her home country were wondering when she would announce UK dates to accompany these.
The 34-year-old been had hinting at a UK and European leg of the Music, Fashion, Film Tour on social media over the past couple of months, but nothing was set in stone as of yet.
Then last night, Charli took to Twitter to announce that she ‘finally’ had some information coming today (11 September), and then followed it up with a teaser video – sending fans into a frenzy.
And now, it has been announced this morning that Charli XCX will be taking to the Co-op Live stage early next year.
Support on the UK and European leg of the Music, Fashion, Film Tour will come from US popstar Audrey Hobert.
Hobert has been having somewhat of a star-making year herself in 2026 following the release of her own critically acclaimed debut album, Who’s The Clown?, last year – with her streams racking up daily and drawing in massive crowds on the festival circuit this summer.
Charli XCX – Music, Fashion, Film Tour UK & EU Dates 2027
13 February – 3Arena, Dublin
15 February – OVO Hydro, Glasgow
17 February – Co-op Live, Manchester
19 February – The O2, London
22 February – Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
24 February – Accor Arena, Paris
Upon release back in July, Music, Fashion, Film the album received acclaim from music critics, who praised its lyrical honesty and experimental production, as Charli took a sonic journey away from the undeniable mega hit that was her 2024 album BRAT, and into ‘Rock Music’ territory.
Music, Fashion, Film topped the charts in the UK and Australia, as well as in Belgium, Hungary, and New Zealand, while reaching the top 10 in countless other countries – including the US.
Charli XCX will be bringing the Music, Fashion, Film Tour to Manchester‘s Co-op Live on Wednesday 17 February 2027, and tickets will go on sale next week.
Featured Image – Henry Redcliffe (Publicity Picture)
Manchester
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show next year
Emily Sergeant
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will be roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show early next year.
Following the runaway success of last year’s Glow-N-Fire show – named the Pollstar Family Show of the Year – Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live has announced that it’ll be making a big return to Manchester’s AO Arena in early 2027 with an all-new show called Colour Bash.
Colour Bash takes the action to a whole new level, transforming the arena into a full-throttle collision of colour.
Manchester audiences can expect vibrant paint-splattered trucks, bursts of colour, and electrifying lighting turn every smash and crash into a vivid spectacle for the whole family.
A description for the event reads: “When the mischievous Skelesaurus drains all the colour from Monster Truck Island, it’s up to the crew of Rhinomite, Mega Wrex, Tiger Shark, Bone Shaker, and Bigfoot to win it back – one massive stunt at a time, joined by a mysterious new ally – to be revealed this fall.”
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live will first be pulling up in London at The O2 in January 2027, then going on to visit Glasgow and Birmingham, before arriving here in Manchester on Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 April 2027.
“Colour Bash is the most vibrant Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live experience we’ve ever created,” said Ken Hudgens, who is the CEO of Family Entertainment Live.
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live is roaring back into Manchester with a brand-new show next year / Credit: Supplied
“We took everything fans love about the show – the massive trucks, the jaw-dropping stunts, the can’t-look-away energy – and supercharged it with colour. It’s a brand-new way to experience the action live, and we can’t wait to bring it to families in the UK in 2027.”
Before the trucks take the floor, ticket holders can add on the Pre-Show Party for an up-close, hands-on experience.
And then for fans who want the ultimate day out, a range of VIP packages are available to book, offering exclusive pre-show access, official VIP merchandise, and the chance to get up close with the Hot Wheels Monster Trucks before all the smashing and crashing begins.
Find out more and book tickets from £25 here when they go on presale on 16 and 17 September, and general sale on Friday 18 September.