One of the biggest days in Manchester’s events calendar is here, with tens of thousands pouring into town for the Manchester Pride Parade.
With a theme of Queerly Beloved – celebrating 10 years since gay marriage was made legal in England and Wales – it’s set to be one gigantic LGBTQ+ celebration.
Thousands will march through the streets, on foot or on float, with organisations and community groups all walking together.
But of course, for anyone trying to get around Manchester tomorrow, you’ll be butting up against road closures, diversions, and altered public transport to clear the way for the parade.
The Manchester Pride parade itself will set off at 12pm from Liverpool Road, navigating its path through the city centre via Deansgate, Peter Street, Oxford Road, Portland Street, Princess Street, Whitworth Street.
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It’s expected to wrap up on Fairfield Street around 3pm.
Beyond that will be plenty of other closures to facilitate the huge, world-famous event.
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Road closures in the city centre for the Manchester Pride Parade may also affect bus and tram journeys and traffic on the Inner Ring Road.
Road closures for the Manchester Pride Parade on Saturday 26 August
Roads closed from 6am until 4pm (earliest) or 6pm (latest)
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Liverpool Road (from Water Street to Deansgate)
Woolam Place (full length)
Potato Wharf (Liverpool Road junction)
Lower Byrom Street (MOSI to Liverpool Road)
Duke Street (Rice Street to Liverpool Road)
Stone Street (Bridgewater Street to Liverpool Road)
Barton Street (full length)
Southern Street (full length)
Roads closed from 10.30am to 4pm (earliest) or 6pm (latest)
Deansgate (Trafford Street to Bootle Street)
Camp Street (Longworth Street to Deansgate)
St John Street (Longworth Street to Deansgate)
Tonman Street (full length)
Gt Bridgewater Street (Watson Street to Deansgate)
Quay Street (Little Quay Street to Deansgate)
Peter Street (full length)
Watson Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Southmill Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Southmill Street (Bootle Street and Peter Street)
Museum Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Mount Street (Windmill Street to Peter Street)
Mount Street (Bootle Street and Peter Street)
Lower Mosley Street (Great Bridgewater Street to Peter Street)
Oxford Street (Peter Street to Whitworth Street)
George Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
St James Street (Oxford Street to Dickinson Street)
Chepstow Street (Great Bridgewater Street to Oxford Street)
Portland Street (Oxford Street to Nicholas Street)
Princess Street (Faulkner Street to Bombay Street)
Harter Street (full length)
Waterloo Street (full length)
Whitworth Street (Beaver Street to Fairfield Street)
Sackville Street (Whitworth Street to Charles Street)
Fairfield Street (Whitworth Street to London Road)
Granby Row (Whitworth Street to London Road)
Minshull Street South (Whitworth Street to Fairfield Street)
Travel advice for Manchester Pride Parade 2023
As well as Manchester Pride, tens of thousands will flock to the city for Noel Gallagher ‘s High Flying Birds’ gig at Wythenshawe Park, and for Manchester United ‘s game against Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
Saturday is expected to be the busiest day of the already very busy August bank holiday weekend, with TfGM warning of particular time frames where you can expect parts of town to become crowded.
They have said that they anticipate the busiest times on the transport network to be between 12pm and 2.30pm on Saturday, around the St Peter’s Square, Deansgate and Old Trafford areas and again between 5pm and 7pm.
Amidst all the celebrations and events around town will be industrial action on buses and trains, putting extra pressure on tram services.
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TfGM has stressed that the Metrolink tram network will be the best way to travel around, stressing that ‘steps have been taken to ensure there is still adequate capacity and a stable, resilient service for those going to enjoy the Pride Parade or watch Manchester United – as well as for the overall network’.
Printworks is hosting a FREE ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night
Emily Sergeant
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling next month.
Aiming to ‘bring Bonfire Night to life’ next month, Printworks has announced it’ll be hosting a dazzling evening of lights, music, stories, and Manchester spirit, as the iconic venue transforms Europe’s largest digital ceiling into a spectacular celebration for all the family.
Kicking off from 4:30pm, the free event will begin with an incredible display of ‘Manchester Stars’, where hundreds of stars will appear across the ceiling, each carrying the name of a real Manchester hero, creating a unique celebration of the people who make the city shine.
Members of the public can nominate someone to become a star, whether it’s a child, parent, grandparent, friend, colleague, community champion, or simply someone who deserves a little extra recognition. Nominations can be made here.
Printworks is hosting a free ‘fireworks’ display on its digital ceiling this Bonfire Night / Credit: Jason Lock (via Supplied)
Two cosy story time sessions with BBC Radio One and former CBBC presenter, Katie Thistleton, and children’s favourite, Hacker T Dog, will follow the star display, and each child will receive light-up headphones to enjoy the sessions in a dedicated chill-out zone.
Then comes the main event, Printworks’ digital ceiling will take centre stage for two firework displays between the story time sessions, including a dedicated SEN-friendly display at replacing the traditional loud noises with incredible visual effects, designed to offer a more accessible and welcoming way for families to enjoy the festivities.
The main fireworks and music experience will follow at 6:15pm, before the fun continues on into the evening with a live choir.
If you get a little peckish throughout the evening, there will also be a pop-up dessert cart serving Bonfire Night-inspired sweet treats, while Barney’s Coffee offers up an autumn drinks menu featuring seasonal favourites, such as pumpkin spice lattes and chocolate orange hot chocolates.
“We’re really excited to welcome back Printworks’ Bonfire Night event for the third year running,” explained Sophie Rooney, who is the Marketing Manager at Printworks.
“With fewer bonfire and firework displays taking place in the city, it’s the perfect opportunity for families to come together and enjoy an evening of celebrations right here at Printworks.”
Printworks is promising an ‘immersive evening’ for all the family, free of charge. Find out more information and timings HERE.
Featured Image – Jason Lock (via Supplied)
What's On
Blue Planet III live in concert is coming to Manchester next year
Daisy Jackson
The spectacular Blue Planet III will come to Manchester live in concert next year, bringing the hit BBC nature documentary to life with a live orchestra.
The new arena tour will pull together the most breathtaking footage beneath the waves from across the series, curated for a giant Ultra HD LED screen.
Blue Planet III will hit screens later this year, narrated once again by the legendary Sir David Attenborough.
Filmed across four years, it will take audiences everywhere from tropical coral reefs to the darkest depths of the ocean.
When the Blue Planet III Live In Concert show arrives in Manchester, it will be hosted by series executive producer Elizabeth White, who’ll share incredible stories and behind-the-scenes insights from the making of the series.
The score once again comes from Academy Award-winner Hans Zimmer, with Thom Lukas and Laurentia Editha for Bleeding Fingers Music, performed live by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra.
The companion live concert is preparing to take audiences even deeper into the underwater world on an epic audio-visual scale.
Specially curated footage from Blue Planet III will be shown on a state-of-the-art 200 sq metre Ultra HD LED screen – one of the largest of its kind used for an orchestral touring screen show and approximately the size of a tennis court.
Blue Planet III live in concert is coming to Manchester next year. Credit: BBC Studios
The brand-new Blue Planet III Live in Concert will kick off here in Manchester before heading to Birmingham, Glasgow, and London.
Executive Producer Elizabeth White says: “Making Blue Planet III has taken us to places we never imagined we’d film. But there’s something about bringing that footage into a concert arena full of people, with the score performed live all around you, that will be truly special.
“This tour is our chance to share the series on a completely different scale, and I can’t wait to be there live, revealing the extraordinary stories behind what audiences are seeing on screen.”
Hans Zimmer says: “There’s nothing like experiencing this score live with an orchestra, especially when it’s paired with the extraordinary visuals of the life underwater. Thom, Laurentia and I are ecstatic that audiences will be able to enjoy our score in this way.”
Blue Planet III Live in Concert will be at the AO Arena in Manchester on Friday 21 May 2027 – general release tickets start from £40 and go on sale from 11am on Friday 16 October HERE.
Daisy Jackson -
25th August 2023 
