A landmark event in Manchester’s annual calendar, Manchester Pride rolls into town every August – bringing incredibly fun and unmatched vibes along with it. It’s a time to truly celebrate exactly who you are – no matter how you identify – with epic tributes to our thriving LGBTQ+ community taking place in all corners of the city. And back with a bang for 2025, Mancs can expect huge parties and shows over the long weekend, including hilarious drag shows, bustling dancefloors, and of course, the big festival itself. Here’s our guide to the very best Pride events taking place in Manchester this month.
1. ‘Come As You Are’ at The Refuge
Taking place over Pride weekend (Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August), The Refuge is bringing back its beloved ‘Come As You Are’ celebration, which will see events taking place that celebrate music, love and inclusivity all weekend long. This year’s CAYA will be a collaboration with the iconic Flash Ibiza, bringing you a weekend-long ‘polysexual party’.
As always The Refuge event is completely free, no tickets or wristband needed and everyone is welcome. Plus, on Bank Holiday Monday, The Refuge will be marking the 45th anniversary of Diana Ross’ iconic album ‘Diana’, with a full day dedicated to to Motown and disco bangers, and a brunch for the ages.
šThe Refuge, Kimpton Clocktower, Oxford St, Manchester M60 7HA.
2. Big Pride Bottomless Brunch with Miss Ginger HunterĀ at Pong & Puck
Get ready for an electrifying afternoon filled with music, laughter, and some jaw-dropping performances by the incredible Miss Ginger Hunter. Arrive at 12:30pm and receive your welcome drink, then take your seat at 1pm for two hours of bottomless boozing, music bingo, a loo roll runway and a cocktail pong tournament. Drinks include fizz, selection of Malibu cocktails, pints and Hooch as well as 1/2 a pizza per person, which will be served across the afternoon.
It’s going to be an event to remember, so gather your friends and get ready to party in style! The Big Pride Bottomless Brunch is on Saturday 23 August, and you can find tickets here.
šPong & Puck, Great Northern Warehouse, 235 Deansgate, Manchester M3 4EN.
3. Dance To Your Own Pride at Ducie Street Warehouse
To markĀ Pride weekend, Ducie Street Warehouse will serve a special PrideĀ Slushies menu – think vibrant frozen cocktails like the Queencolada and Peach, Please – alongside a DJ lineup featuring some of Manchester’s finest, including Mix-Stress and Luz. With all-day brunch served until 3pm and DJs every weekend, Ducie Street Warehouse is the perfect spot to soak up the city’s summer energy.
šDucie Street Warehouse, Ducie St, Manchester M1 2TP.
4. Manchester Pride
Of course, we need to mention Manchester Pride itself, with all the official events it comes along with. As usual, the festival will focus its efforts on activism, putting an emphasis on the annual Gay Village Party, starting on Friday 22 August with headliners including Olly Alexander, Leigh-Anne, Billy Porter, Tulisa, Jodie Harsh and so many more.
The Parade, Candlelit Vigil, Superbia Weekend, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride MCR and Human Rights Forum will also continue to proceed this year, helping to reflect the areas of the festival that the LGBTQ+ community care about the most. You can find out more and put together your itinerary here.
5. Queer Roots Collective presents Alternative Pride
Queer Roots Collective are a regenerative grassroots group based in Manchester who are shifting the focus ofĀ Pride to community, away from capitalist corporations, by running events, meetups, walks and gardening socials which are accessible and fun for all. On 6 and 7 September, Platt Fields Market Garden will host queer owned street food vendors, including a queer booze stocked bar, and queer-led crafts and activities including lino printing, life drawing in the polytunnel and zine making.
Local organisations and stall holders will be running the show, with other activities for all the family such as yoga, forest school, and talks and workshops covering all things queer in nature including mushroom growing, queer ecology, seed saving, history, storytelling and more, making this alternative Pride event something truly educational and enlightening for all. DJs, open mic and live music will be keeping the Pride going across the weekend, and you can book tickets here
šPlatt Fields Market Garden, Platt Fields Park, Fallowfield, Manchester M14 6LT.
6. House of Trash Pride Party Brunch at Sexy Fish
Instagram post via @sexyfish_manchester
Sexy Fish Manchester will be throwing a very special House of Trash Pride Party Brunch at its Manchester restaurant on Saturday 23 August, with the one and only Bimini of Ru Paul’s Drag Race fame hosting. Bringing world-class drag, Hendrick’s cocktails, and iconic Sexy Fish dishes, this trashy but classy brunch is set to be iconic – expect high-energy drag, DJs, and MCs all day and night.
Sittings are at 12pm / 12.15pmā2.15pm or 2.45pm / 3pmā5pm, and you can book here.
š Sexy Fish, 1 The Avenue, Deansgate, Manchester M3 3AP.
7. Kampus Bank Holiday line-up
Instagram post via @kampusmcr
Kampus is throwing one heck of a party to celebrate Pride this year. The inclusive celebration will include:
Thursday 21 August
- Rainy Heart DJ garden takeover
Friday 22 August
- Nell’s X House Rules DJ Collective Pride garden takeover
Saturday 24 August
- Love Party – the disco with heart (pay-what-you-can)
Sunday 25 August
- Pop-Up MarketĀ with queer makers and artisans
- Red LightĀ Pride Street Party
Find tickets for events and more information here.
š Kampus, Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3GL.
8. Lil Miss Jackie Pride takeover at Diecast
Back for another go at Diecast with a full takeover for Pride, Lil Miss Jackie (“certified party starters”) loved last year so much that they’re doing it all again – and even BIGGER on Friday 22 August. The likes of Eden Binks, drag queen Gisele, and residents Jackie P, Wiles and Dullage will all be in attendance to give Pride crowds the best start to the weekend. Grab a free ticket here.
š Diecast, 51 Ducie St, Manchester M1 2JQ.
9. SCENE: Celebrating Queer Stories on Screen
This August, the City of Manchester welcomes back SCENE, a glittering LGBTQ+ Film and TV Festival. Showcasing the magic of LGBTQ+ Film and TV, SCENE will light up the city from Friday 15 August to Thursday 21 August, extending the vibrant spirit of Manchester Pride Festival. A diverse array of events will be hosted in iconic venues across the city, including HOME, as well as The People’s History Museum, Aviva Studios, New Century Hall, and the Gay Village.
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10 Years of Cucumber + in conversation with Russell T Davies and CastĀ (20th Aug, New Century Hall) – Celebrate 10 years with a special episode screening and exclusive Q&A with Russell and the cast
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Channel 4 Presents: An Altogether Different Comedy NightĀ (15th Aug, Aviva Studios) ā A fearless night of sharp, original stand-up from the freshest comedy voices
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BBC’s What It Feels Like for a Girl: Screening + Cast Panel (19th Aug, New Century Hall) ā Exclusive first-episode screening and in-conversation with cast members Hannah Jones, Laquarn Lewis, Alex Thomas-Smith, Adam Ali and Ellis Howard
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DeparturesĀ (19th Aug, VUE Printworks) ā A heartfelt debut feature from Manchester-based filmmakers Neil Ely & Lloyd Eyre-Morgan, plus post-screening Q&A
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The Victoria Wood-A-ThonĀ (18th Aug, New Century Hall) ā A camp celebration of Victoria Wood with drag tributes, special guests and rare episodes courtesy of BFI TV Archives.
See the complete schedule and book tickets here.
š HOME, 2 Tony Wilson Pl, Manchester M15 4FN.
10. Everyone Welcome: Manchester LGBTQ+ Walking Tour
Celebrate Manchester Pride Festival and discover centuries of LGBTQ+ Manchester history with a walking trail and guided tour hosted by local playwright and guide, Chris Hoyle, also part of the SCENE festival. Dates available are: Saturday 16 August, Sunday 17 August, Monday 18 August, Wednesday 20 August and Thursday 21 August. Book your place here.
š Meeting point: Whitworth Locke Hotel, 74 Princess St, Manchester M1 6JD.
11. Gaydio x Grind brunch
Gaydio was the UK’s first FM radio station to serve the LGBTQ+ community. It began in Manchester during the city’s 2006 Pride festival and has since become a vital part of the LGBTQ+ landscape. This brunch with Grind will see selected bottomless cocktails, a live DJ, and brunch from the reduced menu just for this event. In support of Gaydio’s Charity of the Year, akt, Grind is donating 10% of all Pride Brunch ticket sales to help support LGBTQ+ young people facing homelessness.
12. Tipsy Tapas Drag Brunch at Canto
Ancoats-based tapas restaurant, Canto are set to host a special ‘Tipsy Drag Tapas‘, a twist on their famous Tipsy Tapas in celebration of Manchester Pride this August. Set to take place on Saturday 23rd August, guests will enjoy 90 minutes of bottomless drinks and three tapas dishes per person.
There will also be a selection of exclusive live performances from drag artists, The Real Banksie and Lill, both contestants on Ru Paul’s Drag Race, across both sittings. DJ The Niallist will also be playing tunes from Britney Spears through to Beyonce classics, with bottomless drinks on offer including Strawberry Bellini’s, Limoncello Spritz and Aperol Spritz.
There are two sittings available: 12pm ā 1:30pm and 2:30pm ā 4pm, and the Drag Brunch is priced at Ā£40pp and tickets can be booked here or by emailing manchester@cantorestaurant.com.
š Canto, Cutting Room Square, Blossom St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 5DH.
13. Get in the spirit with Pret’s ‘Get Ready for Pride’ Glow Up Station
In celebration of Manchester Pride, Pret A Manger is turning up the sparkle with an in-shop glow-up station!Ā The Manchester Oxford Road shop will be transforming into a one-of-a-kind ‘get ready for Pride’ glow up station, a vibrant and colourful space where customers get their faces painted, add some sparkle with glitter, and soak up the fabulous feel-good energy.
From 10am to 2pm on Saturday 23rd August, customers are invited to pop into Pret’s Oxford Street shop for a free glow-up – whether you’re going full rainbow or just adding a little shimmer, the team will have you parade-ready in no time.
š 34 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 5EL.
14. Stay in pride at Treehouse Hotel
In the lead up to ManchesterĀ Pride this weekend, theĀ Love Grows Here stay package at Treehouse Hotel Manchester is available to book now. The package includes up to 30% off the best available rates and a Ā£10 donation to LGBT Foundation for every booking made under this offer.
Adding to theĀ Pride weekend activity, join Pip’s Saturday brunch as it collaborates with Madame F ā a bold, queer-owned wine brand created in partnership with Queer Britain, the founders of the UK’s first LGBTQ+ museum. You can book the package here.
15. HE.SHE.THEY. Pride take over at Amber’s
On Friday 22nd August HE.SHE.THEY. and Amber’s will join forces, bringing together some of the most exciting names in music and performance. Headlining is the incomparable Bimini – drag royalty, activist, and genre-defying artist, whose fearless creativity and magnetic stage presence have made them one of the UK’s most celebrated cultural figures. With support from high energy selectors Reenie and Pearlz, both known for their genre-fluid sets.
This highly anticipated Pride Special will take place at Amber’s, Manchester’s most innovative, commitment-led music venue, with electronic music at the heart of everything they do. In just a short time, Amber has become a staple within the city’s rich clubbing landscape. It provides the perfect setting for this exciting collaboration. Tickets on sale here.
16. PrideĀ x Fumo Terrace Party
This Saturday 23rd August,Ā the much-anticipatedĀ PrideĀ x Fumo Terrace Party will return toĀ Fumo Manchester on St Peter’s Square. Taking place from 12pm to 6pm, set against the chic backdrop of Fumo’s terrace, guests can expect a lively outdoor bar serving cocktails and spritzes, and San Carlo’s gelato bike scooping up refreshing sweet treats throughout the day.
As the iconicĀ Pride Parade winds its way through the city, Fumo’s terrace becomes the ultimate viewing spot, with live entertainment turning up the energy. Performers on stilts will bring a carnival vibe, while a live saxophonist and DJ set the perfect celebratory soundtrack for the day. And hosting the afternoon is none other than West End starĀ Sam Buttery, known for their dazzling vocals and hilarious stage presence. Expect a mix of fantastic live singing, comedic performances, and interactive games.
17. Visit MCR Live Hub
If you’re looking to soak up the buzzing atmosphere in the city for Manchester Pride and experience incredible artists, visit MCR Live Hub in Piccadilly Gardens on Friday 22nd August. There will be a jam-packed schedule of some of Manchester’s and the UK’s best Drag Queens throughout the day including DJ Verry Cherry, Brenda LaBeau and Snow White Trash. Bonnie Ann Clyde will also be DJing and hosting the full line-up from 3pm until 11pm. Completely free entry all day, so it’s the perfect place for those looking to celebrate, grab food and drink from local traders and enjoy the entertainment in the sun!