Exactly what it says on the tin, Proud Fest returns to Manchester for 2026, promising plenty of fun for all ages away from the main hustle and bustle this summer.
Best part of all? It’s completely FREE.
Taking place in the heart of the city centre, it offers a viable alternative to many who want to avoid the major crowds that flock to Gay Village’s Pride party every year.
Just the second year that this LGBTQIA+ festival has been set up, making its colourful debut in 2025, there’ll be everything from live music, games and other interactive opportunities for all ages, arts and crafts, plus workshops and plenty more; there’s something for everyone here.
Championing “entertainment, family-friendly activities, music, creativity, and plenty of Pride spirit”, the 2026 edition of Proud Fest is set to be one of the biggest ever.
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Based around Great Northern Warehouse just off Deansgate and Peter Street, it’s set to be hosted by drag queen ‘Aida H Dee’, as well as Sara Gosney-Hughes, best-known for her travel expertise and work as a broadcaster and producer at nearby station Hits Radio.
With both calling Manchester home, alongside lots of other organisers behind the free festivities, you can expect plenty of hometown passion and pride – pun very much intended.
Set up in partnership with Proud 2 b Parents (P2bP), mums, dads and more will also be able to enjoy the official Pride parade from a viewing area in the dedicated Community Hall, where they’ll get a perfect spot to watch the floats and performers go down the strip.
Canal Street is already gearing up for those sublime, sun-soaked evenings at the end of August.
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Speaking ahead of the latest iteration of the annual festival, Founder and CEO of P2bP, Matt Taylor-Roberts, told us in a statement: “Proud Fest is about creating the spaces many of us wished existed when we first became parents.
“It’s a celebration of LGBTQ+ families in all their diversity and a reminder that every family deserves to feel seen, supported and celebrated.”
At its core, this is about creating a safe and friendly option for families to still feel connected to the queer community and play their part in the wider celebrations.
You can grab your completely complimentary tickets right HERE.
And if you’re looking for other great days out for the family in Manchester this summer, there’s another free event happening at Circle Square earlier in the month.
Featured Images — Proud 2 be Parents (supplied via Brazen PR)
Kids & Family
Major update on Manchester monster trail after bad weather sends them ‘into hiding’
Daisy Jackson
The ever-popular trail of inflatable monsters around Manchester has been disrupted by the weather this week – and some of the spooky creatures are still in hiding.
Every year, these gigantic colourful ghouls pop up on rooftops and at landmarks all over town, creating a fun and free family-friendly Halloween trail through the city.
But this year, the arrival of the monster trail coincided with something else – the arrival of Storm Boelo.
It’s meant that many of the inflatable beasts have had to go into hiding over last weekend’s Halloween In The City celebrations, and some still haven’t been reinstated.
The popular Halloween celebration also had to be drastically scaled back for the ‘safety of visitors, performers, staff and everyone involved in the event’.
Currently, you’ll be able to spot plenty of monsters to keep you busy around town, with creatures on display at sheltered indoor spots like Printworks, Corn Exhange, and Medlock Square.
Other hardy critters still standing include the ones at Selfridges, Treehouse Hotel, and the AO Arena, plus the big orange fella draped over Kampus.
Organisers of the trail are hoping to get more MCR Monsters back up and spooking as the day goes on, and they’ll remain on display until this Saturday, 31 October.
Medlock SquareSelfridgesAO ArenaSome of the monsters who survived the storm. Credit: The Manc Group
In a statement shared last week, organisers said: “Due to the severe weather conditions forecast for Manchester this weekend, the difficult decision has been made to close Halloween in the City activities from 12pm on Saturday 24 October and throughout Sunday 25 October.
“The safety of visitors, performers, staff and everyone involved in the event is our absolute priority and with strong winds and storm conditions forecast, we believe this is the most responsible course of action.
“We understand this will be disappointing for visitors looking forward to celebrating Halloween in the City this weekend and we thank everyone for their understanding.”
You can keep on eye on the MCR Monsters Instagram for more updates on the trail around Manchester.
Popular pumpkin patch attraction describes ‘catastrophic’ impact of Storm Boelo
Daisy Jackson
Bates Farm, one of the most popular pumpkin patch attractions in the North West, has shared its heartbreak after Storm Boelo forced its closure on the busiest day of the season.
The Warrington-based family farm said the financial impact has been ‘honestly catastrophic’, after they had to cancel all tickets for Sunday.
Sisters Ali and Fiona Wilshaw, who run the farm, said it was simply not safe to allow members of the public onto the farm in the storm, with ‘crazy’ gusts of wind.
They later shared a video that showed their marquee was badly damaged and many footpaths turned to deep mud.
The sisters said they were ‘heartbroken’ to have to close at such a busy time, but stressed to followers that ‘your safety and our integrity will always come first’.
On Saturday, as Storm Austen and Storm Boelo chased each other across the UK, several people shared videos of themselves getting battered by the weather at Bates Farm.
And it’s pretty clear from that why Ali and Fi decided to cancel all tickets and close for the day on Sunday.
They wrote: “We have put in so much love, energy and investment putting on this event at this scale. The cost to cancel and refund everyone today on our busiest day of the season is honestly catastrophic, but business aside, your safety and our integrity will always come first.
“To think last night we were running round Tesco trying to stock up on milk and now we are in the depths of recovering the site to go again tomorrow. All emails and enquiries are being responded to as quickly as possible and we are doing our best to open up more available slots next week.
“We are being tested like never before, but pulling together in true force. Huge shout out to the whole team and Farmer Fi the absolute queen in any crisis.
“Thank you all for your patience and especially thank you to those who have sent such kind words and support, we are so grateful to have customers like you.
“We will be back tomorrow to enjoy the remaining of this tough season, we are putting in so many provisions with wood chip paths, undercover seating and an indoor barn to make your visit as enjoyable as possible. Ali & Fi.”
Anyone who had tickets to visit Bates Farm on Sunday will be refunded, and can book in for another date.
Bates Farm has safely reopened its autumnal experience and pumpkin patch today.
Danny Jones -
17th July 2026 
