What's On

Manchester Pride Festival 2024 – parade route, line-up, tickets and more

It's almost time for the party of the year.

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson - 14th August 2024

One of the biggest events in Greater Manchester’s cultural calendar is almost upon us, as the city gears up for Manchester Pride Festival 2024.

From the glittering parade that attracts thousands to the city centre, to the live music and performances on the stages in the Gay Village, and on to the nightlife scene that gets busier than ever for one glorious weekend, there’s something for everyone.

The Manchester Pride Festival 2024 will culminate in the touching and poignant candlelit vigil in Sackville Gardens, where people come together to remember those we have lost to HIV.

This year’s event will once again fall on the August bank holiday weekend, which means it falls between Friday 23 and Monday 26 August.

Manchester Pride Festival 2024 parade

The Manchester Pride Parade is back for 2024. Credit: Carl Sukonik
The Manchester Pride Parade is back for 2024. Credit: Carl Sukonik

It’s probably the most popular element of the Manchester Pride Festival every year, and 2024 is set to be no different.

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This year’s parade theme is ‘Buzzin’ to be Queer – A Hive of Progress’, a nod to the city’s worker bee emblem as well as a symbol that shows how much stronger communities can be when they work together.

The parade will start at midday on Saturday 24 August and weave its way through the city centre, ending up in the Gay Village.

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It starts at the junction of Liverpool Road and Deansgate and ends on Fairfield Street, but the exact route map hasn’t yet been released. We’ll update this as soon as it is.

Tickets and wristband exchange for Manchester Pride Festival 2024

Tickets are still on sale for Manchester Pride Festival 2024. Credit: Gemma Parker
Tickets are still on sale for Manchester Pride Festival 2024. Credit: Gemma Parker

Tickets for Manchester Pride Festival 2024 are still up for grabs, and weekend tickets are great value for money.

Day tickets are priced at £41 for either Friday, Saturday or Sunday – that’s just for the Gay Village Party (the candlelit vigil, parade, and many other Manchester Pride events are free to attend).

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Weekend tickets cost £49.25 each, so you may as well go all-out and have a full party weekend. Would be rude not to, really.

Before you go to Manchester Pride Festival, you need to swap your ticket for a ‘Pledge Band’ wristband at the exchange point.

This year, you’ll find it on Aytoun Street Car Park. The opening times are below:

  • Friday 25 August: 12:00 – 00:00
  • Saturday 26 August: 12:00 – 00:00
  • Sunday 27 August: 12:00 – 00:00
  • Monday 28 August: 12:00 – 18:00

A fixed donation of £2.50 from every ticket sold goes directly to the Manchester Pride Community Fund, ensuring that LGBTQ+ causes and projects in Greater Manchester receive vital support with grants that are distributed throughout the year. Pledge Band tickets must be purchased to facilitate the event.

Who’s on the line-up at Manchester Pride Festival 2024?

Sugababes will perform at Jockey Club Live
Sugababes. Credit: Publicity picture

It’s another cracking line-up for the LGBTQ+ festival this year, with headliners including girlband icons Sugababes, Brit Award-winner Jessie J, two-time Eurovision champ Loreen, and Rita Ora.

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Just added to the line-up is also Gok Wan, whose DJ sets have become a Pride favourite.

Also performing are The Greatest Showman actress and singer Keala Settle, Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton with Danny Beard & Friends; and Steps’ Claire Richards over on the Alan Turing Stage, alongside Pride Divas with Misty Chance. 

On Saturday, the Indoor Arena will pay homage to Manchester’s warehouse clubbing legacy and will host the Gaydio Dance Arena. Headlined by DJ Paulette, there’ll be a line-up of Gaydio DJs including Dave Cooper and Forbid.

There’ll be disco, house and funk galore at The Village Stage when Black Pride MCR takes over, while the Queer Asian Takeover returns to the Alan Turing stage.

Bimini has sadly pulled out of the festival, along with BollyWitch, Felix Mufti and Dan Chan – you can read more on that here.

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See more on the 2024 Manchester Pride Festival line-up here.

How to travel to Manchester Pride Festival 2024

By tram – The easiest way to get to and from Manchester Pride Festival is using Metrolink. The nearest stops are Piccadilly Gardens for the Gay Village Party), and Deansgate-Castlefield or St Peter’s Square (for the parade).

By train – The closest train stations to the event are Manchester Piccadilly or Oxford Road.

By bus – Take a bus to Manchester Piccadilly Gardens. From there, the Gay Village Party event site is a two minute walk and just across the road.

By plane – From Manchester Airport, you can take a train or the Metrolink tram to Manchester Piccadilly. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Piccadilly Gardens from the airport.

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By car – Manchester will be very busy with a number of road closures in place over Manchester Pride weekend, so if you really need to drive you might want to look at using a park and ride and completing your journey by tram.

Other events (Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show, Family Pride, Youth Pride, Superbia, Scene Screen thing)

It’s not just about the live music and the parade – Manchester Pride Festival is big and really does have something for everyone.

Superbia – this year-round arts and culture programme also puts on a cracking series of events each year as part of the festival, always showcasing Manchester’s queer talent. Many of these events are alcohol-free, accessible spaces and you’ll find everything from music to dance to workshops to parties. See more here.

Youth Pride MCR – this programme of events is specially designed for young people aged 14-18, and includes workshops, performances from young drag stars, a rooftop party, drag bingo, board games, and so much more. Find out more about Youth Pride MCR here.

Family Pride MCR – the best thing about family is that everyone’s looks a little different, and that’s celebrated to the max at Family Pride MCR, which has loads of events and advice for families. If you’re wanting to take your whole brood along to the festival, here’s a dedicated guide (and a few events just for you too).

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Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show – the most fabulous pups in Manchester will be strutting their stuff in this barking mad event, hosted by Ginny Lemon and Fatt Butcher. It’s billed as the ‘campest event of the Manchester Pride Festival’, which is saying something… It’s happening on Sunday in Sackville Gardens.

Candelit Vigil – of course, no Manchester Pride event could happen without taking some time to honour and reflect on those we have lost to HIV, and to stand united in the fight against the global epidemic and the persistent stigma that surrounds it. This poignant final event in the Manchester Pride Festival weekend is hosted in partnership with George House Trust, and will be live-streamed for anyone who can’t attend on Monday.

Featured image: Gemma Parker

What's On

The best things to do in Greater Manchester this week | 16 – 22 September 2024

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

September is well underway now, and the cosy season is upon us.

For many people, the end of summer can sometimes mean the end of all the fun, but as we head into autumn, there’s still absolutely no shortage of things for the whole family to be getting up to across Greater Manchester.

Finding it a bit tricky to pick what to do though? We’ve chosen a few of the best bits for another edition of our ‘what’s on‘ guide this week.

Here’s some of our recommendations.

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The Book of Mormon

Manchester Palace Theatre

Monday 16 September – Saturday 5 October

The Book of Mormon / Credit: Supplied

The Book of Mormon is back in Manchester.

Known and loved for being one of the best musicals the 21st Century – and one of the funniest of all time – having scooped up dozens of coveted awards both in the US and here in the UK in its time, The Book of Mormon is currently out on tour, and the Elders have now arrived in our city for an extended stay.

The hilarious production has taken over the iconic Palace Theatre stage until early October, and there’s still chance to grab yourself some tickets too.

Find out more and grab last-minute tickets here.

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Did you see that a massive new vintage clothing store has now opened in Manchester city centre?

ReMarket has opened on London Road, wedged between Piccadilly Markets and Manchester Piccadilly train station, with 6,000 sq ft filled with rails ripe for the rummaging.

From Dickies and Levi’s, to Stone Island and Gucci, there are some serious brands and serious bargains to be found inside, as well as a number of different independent brands – including Bare Necessities, Archive X, 28 Vintage, Cherry Blossom Vintage and Blank Seams.

ReMarket is now open in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
Inside ReMarket, a new vintage store in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group
ReMarket / Credit: The Manc Group

The best way to think of it is as a department store… but for very cool, independent vintage and second-hand brands.

Find out more here.

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Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine

Science and Industry Museum

Monday 16 September – onwards

Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine / Credit: Science Museum Group

More than 100 objects and stories collected during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic are now on display as part of a new exhibition at the Science and Industry Museum.

The groundbreaking new exhibition, titled Injecting Hope: The race for a COVID-19 vaccine, explores the worldwide effort to develop vaccines at pandemic speed, while uncovering the inspiring stories of scientists and innovators around the globe who collaborated to tackle the worldwide COVID-19 challenge along the way.

The best bit? It’s absolutely FREE to attend, and advanced tickets are available to book on the Museum’s website now.

Find out more and book tickets here.

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Wild

Manchester Museum

Monday 16 September – onwards

Wild / Credit: Manchester Museum

A groundbreaking new immersive exhibition exploring our relationship with the natural world is now open at Manchester Museum.

‘Wild’ look at how people are creating, rebuilding, and repairing connections with nature, and how the natural world has traditionally been presented and idealised through Western art, as well as looking at some unique approaches to environmental recovery too.

The exhibition will also crucially look at how we can tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis by making the world more wild.

Find out more and grab your FREE tickets here.

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Jurassic World: The Exhibition

Trafford Centre

Monday 16 September – onwards

Jurassic World: The Exhibition / Credit: Supplied

A major Jurassic World exhibition that’s been mesmerising visitors all over the world has now arrived here in Greater Manchester.

Based on the beloved blockbuster film franchise, this official award-winning experience is one of the fastest-selling exhibitions in history.

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Manc visitors will be able to walk through the iconic Jurassic World gates, explore some richly-themed environments, and encounter a life-sized Brachiosaurus, Velociraptors, and the most fearsome dinosaur of all, the mighty Tyrannosaurus Rex.

Find out more and grab ticket here.

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Did you see that Bolton has launched its own ‘Hollywood of the North’ TV and film location tours around the town centre?

Merely months after being named Greater Manchester’s new ‘Town of Culture’, Bolton is already proving why 2024 is its year, as the town is celebrating its shiny new title by celebrating all the times it has been chosen as a filming location for dozens of major film and TV productions over the years.

These new behind-the-scenes tours are led by local historian and professional tour guide, Suzanne Hindle, and will feature all of the town’s famous filming spots.

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Bolton Film & TV Tours / Credit: Supplied | BBC

Visitors will get to explore places such as court rooms, cells, and Crescent corridors whilst hearing tales of how the industry adapt these unexpected locations to set the scene.

Find out more and book a tour for FREE here.

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War Horse

The Lowry Theatre

Wednesday 18 – Saturday 28 September

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War Horse / Credit: The Lowry

The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of War Horse returns to The Lowry as part of its all-new UK tour this week, and it’s described as being an “unforgettable theatrical experience” which takes audiences on an extraordinary journey from the fields of rural Devon to the trenches of First World War France.

Based on the beloved novel by Michael Morpurgo, this powerfully moving and imaginative drama, filled with stirring music and songs, is a show of “phenomenal inventiveness”.

Find out more and grab last-minute tickets here.

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Red Rose Diner

East Lancashire Railway

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Friday 20 September – onwards

Red Rose Diners / Credit: ELR

Greater Manchester’s iconic heritage railway is currently hosting one of the most unique fine dining experiences in the region.

Running on selected Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout the summer, East Lancashire Railway’s ‘Red Rose Diners’ are described as being “the ultimate first class foodie experience”, as they start with a glass of fizz and stretch over an almost three-hour steam train journey through the Irwell Valley.

The experience includes a four-course dinner with complimentary sparkling wine, followed by tea or coffee and after-dinner chocolates.

Find out more and book here.

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Góbéfest 2024

Cathedral Gardens

Friday 20 – Sunday 22 September

Góbéfest 2024 / Credit: Supplied

Góbéfest is back in Cathedral Gardens this weekend.

Manchester’s original international urban folk music and dance festival will be taking over the city centre greenspace from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 September with a curated mix of bands and solo artists, folk dance troupes, choirs, and so much more. 

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Independent food and drink traders will be serving up favourites from around the Carpathian Basin, alongside craft beer, a Hungarian wine stall, a cocktail bar, and a palinka (Hungarian fruit brandy) bar, while there’ll also be free activities in the family tent too – including music and dance workshops, arts and crafts, and storytelling.

Day tickets will set you back £10 each, while children under 12 go free, and you can find out more about this year’s festival here.

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Fancy a free roast dinner this Sunday? Who could say no to that…

We know Sunday roasts very much fall into the ‘if ain’t broke don’t fix it’ category of British food, and rightly so, they’re absolutely glorious – but every now and then, they’re made fresh and exciting again, and that’s exactly what Maray have done with theirs.

Plus, who on earth is ignoring a FREE roast dinner?

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Roast dinner at Maray / Credit: The Manc Group

That’s right, not only are Maray’s incredible Middle-Eastern twists on the classic carvery combination of lovingly cooked joints of meat, exquisitely cooked vegetables, and their take on firm favourites like the potato (the best bit, let’s be honest), but they’re also going to be dishing them out for free.

You can get yourself a roast dinner without paying a single penny for one day only at Maray this Sunday, and you can find out more here.

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Featured Image – The Manc Group | Supplied

What's On

Billy Harris’ sensational Davis Cup debut helps secure GB’s opening win in Manchester

Danny Jones Danny Jones

Great Britain grabbed their first win in the opening game of the 2024 Davis Cup Finals group stage this week with a hard-fought day against Finland which featured a truly stunning debut from would-be dark horse Billy Harris.

‘The World Cup of Tennis’ returned to Manchester’s AO Arena on Tuesday for the next stage of the tournament, with Britain getting their Finals group games underway this past Wednesday and starting as they mean to go on.

It may have been too early to throw in Jack Draper – who despite being one of their most promising squad members is still pretty raw from his draining semi-final defeat in the US Open last week – but, thankfully, experienced Dan Evans got the ball rolling and it became a case of building on the advantage.

That being said, you could tell from the early points of Evans’ opener against world no. 703 Eero Vasa that it was going to be a long day for the home team, as the sets felt drawn out right from the off.

Birmingham’s finest was taken to a tense tie-break in the first set of the day but, tough as always, he weathered the early test and emerged with a 7-6 (3), 6-2 victory over the Finnish underdog who looked to be playing well above form.

Evans’ stamina and resilience were a big factor in their dominant display in the qualifiers last September too, but energy levels can only take you so far and after a tiring first match, Finland piled on the pressure in the doubles fixture where he and partner Neal Skupski just couldn’t quite survive two tie-break sets.

The 34-year-old duo were truly put to the test but, fortunately, the game was already a bit of a dead rubber, as the real star of the show came in the form of surprising debutant Billy Harris from Nottingham, who impressed everyone with his emphatic performance against in the other singles fixture beforehand.

Harris only earned his first ATP Tour win last year and is admittedly a bit of a latecomer to the party, but his journey is an inspiring one: working hard over the last 12 months and simply continuing to push so as to now earn his stripes with a Wimbledon debut earlier this year as well.

At 29, he’s at a crucial point in his prime years as an athlete, so it was important that he did his utmost to leave his mark on the GB squad at his first Davis Cup, and he tackled that objective head-on.

Notching a comprehensive 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win against Otto Virtanen – who is no slouch in this particular tournament – team captain Leon Smith said of the showing: “I’m thrilled for Billy – I think that’s one of the best debuts you’ll have seen. It was that good.”

Read more:

Even on an early afternoon mid-working week, the second day of this year’s Davis Cup managed to attract nearly 6,500 fans to the AO Arena (roughly 90% capacity), which just goes to show how much of an appetite there is for the sport here in Manchester.

The opening rounds of the competition’s return to the city after a whopping three decades late last year saw its biggest overall attendance ever in this country and it’s clear Great Britain look very at home playing here.

Our boys take on Argentina in the next round this Friday, 13 September, where hopefully the likes of Draper can come back into the fold and give the likes of Evan, who has struggled with fitness of late, a much-needed bit of rest where possible.

Even without the likes of the now-retired Andy Murray, an injured Cam Norrie and Stockport’s Liam Broady, GB still look to be one of the teams in with a really strong chance of going all the way. Is The World Cup of Tennis ‘coming home’ and just how big a maiden tournament is Billy Harris going to have?

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — The Manc Group/Billy Harris/ATP/Davis Cup (via Instagram)

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