A brand-new LGBTQ+ history trail across Manchester city centre has just launched ahead of next week’s Pride celebrations.
From Victorian drag balls and Canal Street, to the Campaign for Homosexual Equality and the city’s famous Pride Festival and parade, it’s always been queer up north, as they say – and Manchester has been at the heart of LGBTQ+ culture for countless centuries now.
For many, the annual Manchester Pride Festival is a time to celebrate and party in the present, but for others, it’s also a reminder of the past and a time to recognise those who led the way for the LGBTQ+ community today and the continued fight for equality.
This is why Manchester BID has launched a new LGBTQ+ history trail.
The trail has been launched to celebrate the Manchester Pride Festival this August bank holiday weekend, and spread the message that “everyone is welcome” in our city.
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You can learn all about Manchester’s LGBTQ+ history on a new walking tour around the city / Credit: Supplied
Spanning all four corners of the city, the new walking trail and guided tour is hosted by local playwright and guide, Chris Hoyle, alongside some special guests, and offers the chance to explore Manchester’s rich LGBTQ+ history like never before.
With all the proceeds from ticket sales going directly to support the work by the Manchester Pride Charity, organisers say the trail is all about exploring LGBTQ+ stories, while celebrating and reflecting on the city’s “activism, resilience, and progress” over the years.
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The Gay Village, the Beacon of Hope, the Alan Turning Memorial, and The Hacienda are just a few of the locations featuring as part of the new two-hour walking tour.
The trail has been launched to celebrate this year’s Manchester Pride Festival / Credit: Supplied
As well as being open as a self-guided tour, there’s also a few guided tours happening next week on Tuesday 22 August (6pm), Wednesday 23 August (6pm), and Thursday 24 August (1pm & 6pm) – with guest appearances from Drag Race UK star Cheddar Gorgeous, activist Paul Fairweather, Hollyoaks actor Annie Wallace, Trans Creative’s Kate O’Donnell, and drag queen Anna Phylactic.
Tickets to the Manchester LGBTQ+ Walking Trail will set you back £10 each, with all proceeds going to the Manchester Pride Charity, and you can grab yours here.
Alternatively, you can find an online version of the trail here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Manchester Cathedral to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection show this winter.
After captivating more than a million spectators globally and illuminating dozens of the world’s most extraordinary historic landmarks over the past couple of years, LUMINISCENCE is set to make its highly anticipated UK debut this winter – and Manchester Cathedral has been chosen as the lucky location for this dazzling event.
Combining 360° video mapping, new orchestral arrangements of iconic songs, and a narrative story celebrating everything that makes Manchester and its residents so special, visitors will be invited to step into a ‘spellbinding fusion’ of light, sound, and storytelling.
LUMINISCENCE is set to pay tribute to Manchester’s rich cultural heritage through specially arranged orchestral renditions of iconic anthems – with the setlist including songs by Oasis, The Verve, Joy Division, and Elbow, just to name a few.
Manchester Cathedral is set to be lit up with a ‘truly stunning’ new 360° walk-through projection this winter / Credit: Supplied
A brand-new script has been written for the show by BAFTA award winning writer Tim Whitnall, while narration will be provided by legendary local actor, Christopher Eccleston.
The show will be brought to life further by Manchester Collectives Gospel Choir, who’ll add a soaring choral dimension to what sounds set to be an already-powerful immersive experience.
Light from a battalion of high-power projectors becomes the storyteller inside the Cathedral, transforming the ancient architecture into a vast living canvas where every statue, carving, pillar, and stained-glass window comes to life.
LUMINISCENCE takes over Manchester Cathedral from Wednesday 14 January through to 26 March 2026, and audiences are encouraged to book early to avoid missing this unique experience as there’ll be strict capacity during the limited run.
Audiences can choose between Gold and Silver ticket tiers, offering options to suit every budget.
Gold tickets include fast-track entry and a glass of fizz on arrival, while Silver tickets for adults start from £29 (including a 10% booking fee), with concession prices available too.
Tickets go on general sale on Tuesday 18 November, and you can book them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Comedy sensation Matt Rife announces new arena tour with Manchester show
Daisy Jackson
Comedian Matt Rife has just announced a brand-new world tour, with an arena show in Manchester on the cards.
The American comic, who has a whopping 11m followers on Instagram and 20m on TikTok, will be performing a night at the AO Arena on his extended Stay Golden World Tour, with tickets on sale Friday.
It’s one of 40+ new dates across North America and Europe, on a tour which will feature a 360 degree in-the-round stage at select venues.
The record-breaking comedian had already announced shows across Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Canada, and performed shows across the States.
He’s been the youngest comedian to ever sell out New York’s Madison Square Garden – and he did two sold-out nights.
He’s shattered ticket sale records at arenas right across the USA, too.
Matt Rife has become one of the hottest names in comedy thanks to his razor-sharp crowd work and massive social media following, with over 44.6 million followers and more than three billion views globally, as well as chart-topping Netflix specials.
The 30-year-old entertainer will release a new Netflix special – Matt Rife: Unwrapped – on 2 December this year.
The ‘Christmas Crowd Work Special’ will ‘explore gifts, traditions and who’s made it on the naughty or nice list this year’.
Matt Rife will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on
Tickets for Matt Rife in Manchester at the AO Arena will go on sale from Wednesday 12 November for artist presale, and general sale will begin from 2pm on Friday 14 November – you can get your tickets HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
17th August 2023 
