In celebration of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender lifestyle, the Manchester Gay Pride Festival will take place 27-30 August. Pride events have been taking place in Manchester for more than 20 years and the organizers are seeking to raise money for a variety of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender groups and organizations within the Manchester area.
The Pride Fringe festival runs from August 20-26 and features a huge range of events which aim to celebrate the color and diversity of the GLBT lifestyle. There will be plenty of art, culture, and sporting events. Women can try their hand at self defense or watch the moving story of Fanny the Nun. Film buffs can enjoy a selection of camp and sexy cinematic masterpieces. Those with sporting ambitions can try ice climbing, kayaking, or just have a laugh at It’s a Gay Knockout.
The big parade will take place on Saturday 28 at 1pm and is expected to be watched by thousands of people from the Manchester area, and beyond. Over 100 colorful floats will make their way slowly though the city streets. This year’s theme is ‘Through the Decades’. The parade will begin at the top of Deansgate and will end at the Gay Village.
71 Hrs None Stop
The Big Weekend runs from 27-30 August featuring 71 hours of wonderful music, comedy, bars, clubs, markets, and many more exciting events and entertainment. Featured acts already announced include Kelis, Belinda Carlisle, Heaven 17, Beverly Knight, plus a whole host of other major and minor stars. There will be plenty of live music and comedy to enjoy throughout the weekend.
On the eve of 30 August, there will be a candlelit vigil with a truly moving and magical 
atmosphere in Sackville Gardens, in memory of those who have been lost. This is the spiritual heart of the Manchester Pride weekend.
Whether you are gay, straight, or simply curious, come along to the famous Manchester Pride festival in August and enjoy the vast array of entertainment on offer for everyone. From pink dog parades to art exhibitions, Gay Pride promises to be a weekend of fun and frivolity, with a few serious notes thrown in.
If you don’t fancy getting caught up in the traffic, make sure you hire a minibus Manchester to take you and your friends to the festival. That way you can enjoy the music and have a few drinks without the worry of who will be the designated driver.