Manchester Pride Festival has today revealed the final headliners for 2023’s star-studded LGBTQ+ celebration.
Taking place, as always, over the August bank holiday weekend, the charity has added big names to the existing line-up that includes Jake Shears, Pabllo Vittar, Gok Wan, Danny Beard, Natasha Bedingfield, Lisa Scott-Lee and Jodie Harsh.
Joining them at Manchester Pride Festival will be Alison Goldfrapp and Raven Mandella, plus celebrated drag artist and musician Conchita Wurst.
The celebrations will run across the Gay Village from Friday 25 until Monday 28 August, culminating as always in the candlelit vigil at Sackville Gardens.
Alison Goldfrapp is best-known for her vocals with electronic duo Goldfrapp, whose hits have included Strict Machine, Ooh La La, Ride A White Horse, and Rocket.
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She’ll be performing hot off the success of her debut solo album The Love Intention, and the single So Hard So Hot, on the Saturday of the Manchester Pride Festival.
Joining her on 26 August will be the ‘unapologetically Black and queer’ dancer, drag performer and DJ Raven Mandella, who will headline Black Pride MCR on the MancUnity Stage.
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Raven Mandella. Credit: Publicity pictureAlison Goldfrapp. Credit: Publicity pictureConchita Wurst. Credit: Publicity pictureNew acts have joined the Manchester Pride 2023 line-up
Mandella has performed on stages with Honey Dijon, Groove Armada, Kelly Rowland, and Nile Rodgers, and has become a crowd favourite through his flamboyant performances at Heaven in London, the Ministry of Sound, and Glitterbox.
Conchita Wurst, former Eurovision champion with the song ‘Rise Like A Phoenix’, will join Booking.com in the Manchester Pride Parade before taking to the Village Stage later that night.
Also known as Tom Neuwirth, Conchita became a figurehead of the queer community overnight after that iconic Eurovision win, and has released albums, hosted TV shows, and used his platform to support socio-political causes.
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The Saturday line-up also includes Black Peppa, Jodie Harsh and international drag icon Pabllo Vittar.
This year, a staggering 96% of Manchester Pride performers identify as queer, as the festival continues its dedication to fostering diversity, inclusivity, and community celebration.
🎉 SPECIAL GUESTS ANNOUNCED 🎉
Prepare to be amazed!! We couldn't be more thrilled to reveal our incredible special guests for the Gay Village Party 2023! ⚡️
Joining us this year are the legendary performers Alison Goldfrapp, Conchita Wurst, and Raven Mandella! 🌈
54% of performers are women, 51% being people of colour, more than 42% from trans and non-binary communities and 34% of performers being disabled or neurodivergent.
Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride, said: “This year, more than ever, we are thrilled to be presenting such a diverse lineup that truly reflects the vibrancy and diversity of our communities.
“Alison Goldfrapp’s powerful performances, Raven Mandella’s unapologetically queer stage presence and Conchita’s inspiring music and message will undoubtedly make this year’s festival an unforgettable celebration.”
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Tickets for the Gay Village Party are available to purchase through Ticketmaster, and for each ticket sold, £2.50 will be donated to the Manchester Pride Community Fund, which directly supports LGBTQ+ causes and projects in Greater Manchester via grant distribution.
More information about Manchester Pride Festival 2023 and ticket purchasing can be found at www.manchesterpride.com.
Colourful new SmileyWorld art trail to take over Stockport town centre this summer
Emily Sergeant
Stockport will transform into a playful outdoor gallery this summer as a colourful new art trail takes over the town.
Following huge success in London and North Tyneside, Stockport visitors are being told to get ready to explore a full spectrum of emotions this summer, as the SmileyWorld® Art Trail takes over the town centre with a colourful collection of quirky, fun, and exciting sculptures each inspired by the SmileyWorld icons.
Kicking off from the start of next month, the trail will be making its North West debut in Stockport, and organisers say it’s guaranteeing family fun during the school summer holidays.
Oh and best of all, it’s completely free to attend.
Created by the trailblazing global arts producer, Wild in Art, in partnership with Totally Stockport BID and SmileyWorld – a lifestyle brand that’s dedicated to true emotional expression – the trail will feature 15 playful sculptures, each reimagined by a different artist to reflect the full range of human emotions including joy, pride, surprise, anxiety, and lots more.
Colourful new SmileyWorld art trail is taking over Stockport town centre this summer / Credit: Scott Kershaw Photography
Perfect for all ages, the trail will be spread across the town centre, with sculptures featured everywhere from the Merseyway Shopping Centre, to Stockport Underbanks, Viaduct Park, The Plaza, and more.
Designed as a self-guided experience, the sculptures will reflect a broad range of human feelings and will invite people to connect as they explore Stockport’s key locations and landmarks using free trail maps, complete with games, puzzles, and doodles for kids, all of which will be available to download ahead of time.
Printed copies will also be available for pick up in local businesses and public venues.
“We are delighted to be able to bring the SmileyWorld Art Trail to Stockport,” commented Charlie Langhorne, who is the Managing Director and co-founder of Wild in Art.
“Exploring the trail is a fun activity to do with friends and family and it’s free to visit. It’s a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air and take a stroll around Stockport town centre while discovering some truly unique and inspiring art.”
The SmileyWorld® Art Trail is taking over Stockport from 4 July through to 15 September 2025, and you can find out more here.
Featured Image – Scott Kershaw Photography
What's On
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed FREE fun next month
Emily Sergeant
Manchester Day is making a grand return for 2025 this summer, and you can expect a day filled with loads of music-themed fun.
Oh, and it’s free fun at that… doesn’t get much better.
With a whopping 1.3 million music tourists expected in Manchester this summer – apparently a little band called Oasis is performing or something? First we’ve heard of it – and a massive lineup of live music legends set to take over venues and parks across the city these next couple of months, this year’s Manchester Day is aiming to get everyone ‘in the groove’.
Manchester City Council is working with outdoor arts specialists Walk the Plank on a programme that promises something for music fans of all ages and all musical abilities.
From the English National Opera teaming up with Manchester’s football fans, to community choirs, West End show tunes, juggling drummers, hip-hop wrestling, and loads more, this year’s Manchester Day has got all musical tastes covered.
Manchester Day is back on Saturday 26 July. 🎉
Inspired by music, expect pop-up performances, spontaneous sing-a-longs and have-a-go activities. 🎶
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) June 2, 2025
As always, activities will be taking place right across the city centre – from St Ann’s Square to Cathedral Gardens, and everywhere in between.
Organisers say there will be plenty of chances throughout the day for visitors, both young and old, to get stuck in, try their hand at making music and maybe even uncover a hidden musical talent they didn’t know they had.
You can expect strum-along ukulele sessions, spontaneous sing-alongs, dancing to a steel pan band or some surprising Ska, and the stand-out music parade event travelling from St Peter’s Square to the Cathedral, with families invited to take a ‘musical meander’ through the city streets.
Manchester Day is back with a ‘mammoth day’ of music-themed free fun next month / Credit: Manchester City Council
“We’ve got a mammoth summer of live music coming up in the city this year, which means it’s only right that we max out on the music for Manchester Day,” commented Councillor Pat Karney, who is the Chair of Manchester Day, as this year’s theme was announced.
“Everyone in Manchester loves music, Mancs have music in their bones, there’s so much talent here – we’re either making it or playing it, and that’s why everyone’s on the guest list for this year’s Manchester Day to help us celebrate the music that Mancunians make best.
“We’ve got a fantastic day lined up, so loosen up those vocal chords, grab a guitar, grab your granny, all the family, and don’t miss it.”
Daisy Jackson -
2nd August 2023 
