One of the most iconic literary and film sagas of the 21st century is celebrating 20 years since the first book was published next year.
And to celebrate this milestone moment, you’ll be able to watch the first film live in dozens of cities across the UK surrounded by the beauty of more than a thousand candles while a live orchestra plays the soundtrack to accompany.
That’s right, Twilight in Concert is coming to Manchester.
Undeniably one of the most successful young adult film franchises of all time, with five films (Twilight, The Twilight Saga: New Moon, The Twilight Saga: Eclipse and The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Parts 1 & 2) to its name, The Twilight Saga has impressively grossed more than $3.3 billion at the worldwide box office.
You can watch Twilight with a live orchestra surrounded by candlelight in Manchester / Credit: Supplied
The films were adapted from author Stephenie Meyer’s acclaimed literary series that won multiple awards over its time, sold more than 160 million copies worldwide, and was translated into 49 different languages.
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But no matter whether you’re Team Edward or Team Jacob, Twilight In Concert promises to be an unforgettable event for fans of the belovedfranchise, two decades on.
Set in an enchanting candlelit setting, TwilightIn Concert offers fans a unique opportunity to re-live the film that started it all, while musicians take the stage to perform the beloved score in perfect synchronisation with the original movie presented in its entirety on a cinema-size screen.
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You can expect a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians / Credit: Supplied
You can expect a 12-piece ensemble of rock and orchestral musicians to transport you on a journey deep into the heart of Forks.
Twilight in Concert will be stopping off at 12 other major UK cities on its tour, including other northern hubs such as Sheffield, York, and Liverpool, as well as arriving at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall on Friday 6 February 2026.
Tickets are now on sale, and you can find out more and get your hands on them here.
Featured Image – Supplied
What's On
Manchester Village Pride – ticket prices, lineup, parade, and more
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Village Pride is coming home. After years of celebrations that have stretched across the city, Pride is returning to the heart of Manchester’s LGBTQ+ community for four days of music, drag, culture, community and, of course, one very big party in the Gay Village.
Taking place over the August bank holiday weekend, from Friday 28 to Monday 31 August, Manchester Village Pride 2026 promises a celebration that focuses firmly on community, with a packed programme bringing together LGBTQ+ icons, local talent, drag queens, DJs, performers and artists across the Village and beyond.
The Pride Parade will once again take over Manchester’s streets on Saturday 29 August, with thousands expected to line the route as it makes its way from Liverpool Street into the city centre and towards the Gay Village.
There’s also a brand-new Pride Fringe programme, bringing LGBTQ+ film, comedy, club nights, exhibitions, walking tours, family events and more to venues across Manchester.
So whether you’re heading straight for the outdoor stages, getting involved with the parade, exploring the Fringe or simply soaking up the atmosphere around Canal Street, there’s something happening throughout the city.
Here’s everything you need to know about Manchester Village Pride 2026, including the dates and times, parade route, lineup, ticket prices, entry rules and the best of this year’s Pride Fringe.
When is Manchester Village Pride 2026?
Manchester Village Pride will take place on August bank holiday weekendThe parade will also return
As always, the Manchester Village Pride celebrations will take place over the August bank holiday weekend, filling the Gay Village for four whole days.
This year, Manchester Village Pride will take place on Friday 28, Saturday 29, Sunday 30, and Monday 31 August.
Event gates will open at 6pm on the Friday, 12pm on both Saturday and Sunday, and 10am on Monday for the Family Fun Day.
The main outdoor stages will wrap up earlier, but the party in venues around the Gay Village will continue into the early hours – naturally.
Manchester Village Pride Parade info
The Manchester Village Pride Parade will return in 2026, weaving its way all throughout the city streets on Saturday 29 August.
This year’s theme is ‘No Place Like Home’, an apt choice as the celebrations return to their spiritual home in the Gay Village.
The route will begin on Liverpool Street at around midday, before travelling down Deansgate, Peter Street, Oxford Street, Portland Street and Whitworth Street, finishing in The Village at around 4pm.
Road closures will be in place, which you can see HERE.
Manchester Village Pride lineup
In stark contrast to the previous Manchester Pride bosses, this year’s organisers have put most of the time, effort, and money into curating a real community, back-to-its roots Pride celebration.
So rather than a big flashy headliner, they’ve curated one of the best lineups we’ve seen in years, of LGBTQ+ icons and allies plus loads of homegrown talent (and they’ve spent £20k less on the entire bill than was spent on one single headliner last year).
Performing at Manchester Village Pride 2026 will be the likes of Nadine Coyle, Danny Beard, Gareth Gates, Kate Nash, Cascada, and Rowetta.
Friday will be headlined by Nadine Coyle and Danny Beard; Saturday will see top slots for Gareth Gates and Meek; on Sunday, it’ll be Cascada and Kate Nash; then Rowetta will be the main act on Sunday.
They’re joined by a lineup of fantastic local talent, including artists, DJs, and drag queens, taking our city’s Pride celebrations back to their roots, and keeping things firmly in the Gay Village.
It’s going to be epic.
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Manchester Village Pride ticket prices
The music will all take place in the Gay Village for Manchester Village Pride
Also in stark contrast to 2025 will be the ticket prices for Manchester Village Pride, which are as follows:
Weekend tickets – £44.80 including booking fee
Friday, Saturday, Sunday day tickets – £28 including booking fee
Organisers have stressed that you will need a wristband to enter the Gay Village – this is because the Village legally becomes a ‘Live Event Space’, and its license requires a secure perimeter.
Without that, there can be no outdoor stages or bar.
Pride Fringe events
Manchester is launching its first-ever Pride Fringe this year, bringing LGBTQ+ arts, culture, entertainment and community events to venues across the city.
The programme includes the SCENE film and TV festival, comedy, club nights, exhibitions, Pride-themed walking tours, shopping events and family activities.
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Manchester Arndale will also hold a pre-Pride celebration on 22 and 23 August, with makeup stations, a selfie spot, and live drag performances.
Many events will raise funds for local LGBTQ+ charities, while hotels are offering Pride-themed packages, parties, gifts and discounts.
The ENTIRE Manchester Village Pride lineup cost £20k less to book than ONE headliner last year
Daisy Jackson
Bosses behind Manchester Village Pride have revealed that the entire lineup has cost significantly less than the amount spent on just one headliner last year.
In a statement promising transparency, organisers said that the entire weekend of artists has cost less than one single headliner from 2025.
And by some margin – £20,000.
The announcement comes less than a year after the previous Manchester Pride organisation entered voluntary liquidation amid rising costs, declining ticket sales and an ‘ambitious refresh’ of the festival format.
That refresh included moving the main music portion of the annual LGBTQ+ celebration away from the Gay Village itself, and over to Depot Mayfield.
The collapse of Manchester Pride followed reports that performers from the 2025 event were still waiting to be paid, with entertainment union Equity later saying its members were more than £70,000 out of pocket.
Manchester Village Pride was subsequently established as a not-for-profit Community Interest Company, with organisers promising a more community-focused approach and greater transparency around finances.
The 2026 event is being delivered with unpaid directors, while organisers have also signed an Equity agreement guaranteeing fair pay and professional standards for performers – the first UK union agreement of its kind for a Pride event.
Performing at Manchester Village Pride this year are major artists like Nadine Coyle, Danny Beard, Gareth Gates, Kate Nash, Cascada, and Rowetta.
They’re joined by a lineup of fantastic home-grown talent, including artists, DJs, and drag queens, taking our city’s Pride celebrations back to their roots, and keeping things firmly in the Gay Village.
In their statement, Manchester Village Pride said: “Transparency time! Booking this entire weekend of fabulous artists cost us £20k UNDER what was spent on a single headliner last year. This is what community Pride looks like!”
Manchester Village Pride will once again take place over the August bank holiday weekend, with the party running for four days from Friday to Monday.
The celebrations will culminate in the moving candlelit vigil in Sackville Gardens.
Ticket prices this year, even with just over a week to go, are only £40 for the full three-day festival, or £25 for one day. Monday will be free to attend.
Emily Sergeant -
28th May 2025 
