Many of us will think of Manchester Pride Festival as the live music, parties, and general mischief taking place across the Gay Village – but there are so many family-friendly events for people of all ages to get stuck into.
This year’s event has just announced its line-up for Family Pride MCR 2023, with music, cabaret, workshops and discos for Pride-goers of all ages.
The completely free event will be held at the Great Northern Warehouse on Saturday 26 August, between midday and 6pm.
The programme includes music, crafting, party games and sing-a-longs, as well as a rainbow disco, showcasing performances and artists that champion love, self-expression and individuality.
It’s aimed to provide an exciting, inspiring and celebratory day for LGBTQ+ families, parents/carers, and children alike.
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Highlights include the return of the Fatt Project’s Palaver Party — a blend of cabaret and a mini Pride parade — with the star-studded line-up including performer Ginny Lemon, a known face of the Manchester Pride Festival, as well as Lady Bushra, shortlisted for the 2021 BBC New Comedy Awards.
Guinness World Records holder Symoné and Cyro from The Enby Show are also set to grace the stage which will be hosted by Fatt Butcher and Blu Romantic.
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There’ll also be a beach-inspired experience complete with the kids’ club, thanks to the festival’s headline sponsor, TUI.
Fatt Butcher at Family PrideThe family catwalk extravaganza.Family Pride is a big part of the Manchester Pride Festival 2023Credit: Supplied/Verity Mulligan
Family Pride MCR’s 2023 offering has been announced by Manchester Pride, supported by TUI and in partnership with Proud 2 b Parents.
This year’s Family Pride MCR event has been co-designed with Fatt Projects, a queer performance company renowned for its vibrant and joyful celebrations of diversity.
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Director of Fatt Projects Adam Carver said: “We are so excited to be back working with Manchester Pride this year to present a second fabulous Family Pride MCR.
“Fatt Project’s work for families is all about celebrating yourself, having a great time, and bringing the whole family together for an unforgettable party. It feels more important now than ever to ensure that children and families are a key part of pride celebrations, so we can let young people know that all kinds of families are loved, celebrated, and part of our community.
“We can’t wait to see everyone there; so get your dancing shoes out, stick on a sequin or ten, and come join us for a fantastic day”.
TUI’s beach experience will also feature the beloved Captain T from TUI’s kids’ clubs, and serene spaces for families to unwind.
“We can’t wait to celebrate our colleagues and show Manchester how much TUI values all their LGBTQ+ staff and crew.” — Toby Horry
Toby Horry, Head of Brand Marketing at TUI, said: “We’re so excited to be getting involved in the Manchester Pride Festival and sponsoring Family Pride MCR this year, since it’s such a hugely important date for our community up in the north.”
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In partnership with Proud 2 b Parents, an organisation supporting LGBTQ+ parents and their families, Manchester Pride is set to deliver an enriching Family Pride MCR experience.
Proud 2 b Parents will host an information stall, an LGBTQ+ children’s book stall, and guide families to various activities on site. They also offer a parade viewing area for LGBTQ+ families to enjoy the parade from a welcoming vantage point overlooking Deansgate.
Other activities available for children include baby sensory, baby noise making workshop, story time in Book Nook Library. The Great Northern Warehouse will host an indoor extended play space in the Atrium with lawn games, table tennis and a colouring. There will also be a quiet zone, feeding area, pram park and changing facilities.
Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, added: “Pride celebrations are for everyone and should not be bound by age or family structure. Our celebrations at Family Pride MCR provide a fun, enriching and empowering space where families of all kinds can express themselves freely.
“Family Pride MCR offers vital representation and visibility to families that don’t always see themselves reflected in heteronormative society, and we’re proud to offer children and families a friendly space to meet, connect and celebrate pride in a way that’s designed just for them.”
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Manchester Pride Festival, crowned the ‘Best Large Festival’ at the UK Festival Awards 2022, is set to take place this August Bank Holiday weekend (25-28 August). In partnership with Booking.com, the festival features an exciting line-up of local and international artists, advocating for LGBTQ+ equality.
For more information on Manchester Pride Festival and to purchase tickets for the Gay Village Party, visit www.manchesterpride.com. We’re always made up by how Greater Manchester comes together at this time of year and this year’s Stockport Pride was a great way to get warmed up.
Sale Sharks are pioneering an inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome
Danny Jones
Sale Sharks are currently pioneering a heartwarming and, crucially, inclusive rugby programme for people with Down’s Syndrome.
The native organisation has always been good at working across the local community, but this is the kind of grassroots sports backing that we want to see more of across the region.
Working in collaboration with PREM Rugby and the Premiership Women’s division, Sale Sharks spawned the important scheme just a few short years ago, dubbing it the Crusaders Fins Club (CFC).
Driven by the overarching theme of ‘belonging’, these sessions are now happening every other Sunday at the club’s High Performance Training Centre over in Carrington.
Today we’re celebrating World Down Syndrome Day
This year’s theme, Together Against Loneliness, is a powerful reminder of the role we all play in creating social connection
— Sale Sharks Foundation (@SaleSharksFdn) March 21, 2026
In its simplest terms, this increasingly popular and important bi-weekly programme is a dedicated tag rugby team for individuals with Down’s Syndrome who love the sport.
Not just inspired by but named in memory of Sean Browne – a beloved player and Sharks fan whose favourite team was the New Zealand Super Rugby side, the Crusaders – isn’t just about playing, but fundamentally helping those involved “become more active and increase their confidence and life skills.”
Sean sadly passed away at the age of just 32, but he touched so many people’s lives in and around the club, as well as across the Greater Manchester rugby scene, and now his legacy lives on through CFC.
Prior to it being founded back in 2020, there wasn’t any accessible provision to deliver Down’s Syndrome specific rugby sessions, but now families from all over the North West and even beyond travel to take part, with at least nineteen regular participants attending each and every session.
One of those is 27-year-old James, who said of CFC: “I love it here! We’re a family of Sale Sharks. Playing here makes me feel excited. The coaches are lovely and kind.”
It also goes without saying that, besides serving as a key outlet and extended support network for those involved, it also provides them with purpose, a safe space to be themselves and enjoy the game, as well as the opportunity to build lasting friendships.
Sharks Foundation CEO, Abi Dean, added: “The programme continues to be a joyful, inclusive space where young people with Down’s Syndrome thrive through sport, and where families can come together to form a powerful support network rooted in shared experience and belonging.”
“With regular sessions growing confidence and friendships beyond the pitch, Crusaders Fin Club shows that rugby is a place where everyone can belong.”
This weekend, specifically (27–29 March), round 12 of the Gallagher PREM and round 16 of the PWR will see their clubs unite for the first time to celebrate inclusivity across the game, celebrating work like that done by the Sale Sharks Foundation with the Crusaders squad.
It also served as a reminder to fans that in the world of rugby, “everyone is welcome, and anyone can play”. You can find out more right HERE.
Stretford’s free neighourhood festival returns this weekend
Danny Jones
Stretford’s still fledgling and completely free all-day festival is BACK for 2026 and is happening this coming weekend.
So, if you didn’t have plans this Saturday, you do now.
Simply named The StretFest, this is the third edition of the now annual celebration in one of Manchester’s fastest growing neighbourhoods – and an increasingly up-and-coming one at that.
Kicking off in the morning and running right into the wee small hours thanks to a healthy dose of varied daytime activities, evening events and de facto afterparties, there’s plenty on the cards.
🎉 It's the big one on Saturday! Stretfest is back & we're thrilled to have a fab selection of LIVE Music on from 3pm – 8pm for it!
We can't wait to greet loads of faces, old and new. #Stretford will be buzzing with activity so come on down & make a day of it ! 🍻 pic.twitter.com/16Rnn5w1qj
StretFest only started back in July 2024, but it has quickly grown into a cult favourite not only among locals living in and around the Trafford town, but also among plenty of people from all over Greater Manchester, with last year seeing more visitors than ever.
Based not just over at Stretford Mall but the surrounding parks, Public Hall, across the bridge and an area they dub ‘The Beach’, there are several distinct but equally vibrant hubs, all offering something different.
For instance, venues like Longford Tap, Head Bar and Stretford Canteen are all involved, as are the likes of the Library and Martin Luther Church, but also recently opened cafes like Swig and Cuppello’s, as well as many, many more.
To be honest, we’ll probably be popping over for all the food and drink alone.
And, of course, there’s going to be plenty of live music, DJ sets, other bits of entertainment, and all-around fun to be enjoyed; there’s even going to be everything from arts, crafts and workshops, to pirates and boat rides.
Getting underway from as early 9am – thanks to the likes of the regular Stretford parkrun crew teaming up with the festival, and Mr & Mrs hosting a coffee morning for their first birthday – there really is going to be something for everyone from start to finish.
You can see the full StretFest schedule or build your own personal day-into-night programme HERE.
As for what else is on the cards for the final few days of March (give or take a couple), you can find out what else is on in and around the ten boroughs down below.
Daisy Jackson -
15th August 2023 
