ITV Pride is the latest organisation to join the Manchester Village Pride Parade 2026, as preparations continue for the city’s community-led Pride celebrations over the Summer Bank Holiday Weekend.
Colleagues from ITV Pride across the UK, including some much-loved Corrie legends, will once again take to the streets of Manchester as part of this year’s parade, which will be held under the theme ‘No Place Like Home’.
The parade forms one of the cornerstone moments of Manchester Village Pride 2026, which will take place from Friday 28 to Monday 31 August in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village. The four-day celebration will bring together some of the best-loved elements of Pride weekend, including the parade, the Village party, the George House Trust Vigil, live music and performance, talks, exhibitions, community activity and a wider Pride Fringe throughout August.
This year marks a new chapter for Pride in the city, with Manchester Village Pride returning the celebration to its roots in the Village; its businesses, venues, charities, residents and the community helping to rebuild it from the bottom up. Delivered by Manchester Village Pride CIC, the event is led by unpaid volunteers and has been established as a Community Interest Company, with funds directed back into safe event delivery and support for LGBTQ+ charities, grassroots organisations and vital community services.
The announcement of ITV Pride joining the parade adds further momentum to what is already shaping up to be a powerful homecoming for Manchester’s LGBTQ+ communities. This year’s programme will include three stages across the Village, with the Main Stage showcasing queer talent from Manchester and across the UK, Sackville Gardens hosting community voices and reflection, and a Dance Arena celebrating the spirit of Manchester nightlife.
Sophie Scott, Co-Chair of ITV Pride, said: “We’ve watched Manchester Village Pride return to its community-led, grassroots spirit, and with this year’s theme, ‘No Place Like Home’, it perfectly complements ITV’s own tagline, *’No Place Like ITV’.
“As a broadcaster rooted in telling authentic stories, and with our own deep connection to the North West, that theme felt like the perfect alignment. We’re over the moon to be joining in again this year.”
Carl Austin-Behan, Co-Director and spokesperson for Manchester Village Pride, said: “The support from organisations like ITV Pride demonstrates the growing momentum behind Manchester Village Pride and our shared commitment to celebrating, supporting and championing our LGBTQ+ communities in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village and across the city.
“This year’s theme, ‘No Place Like Home’, is about recognising the Village as the historic home of Pride in Manchester, while making clear that Pride belongs to everyone. Seeing community groups, charities, businesses and organisations come together for the parade is exactly what Manchester Village Pride is all about.”
Due to the fantastic response received so far, Manchester Village Pride has extended the deadline for parade entries until midnight on Sunday 19 July. Organisations, community groups, charities and businesses that would like to take part in this year’s parade still have time to register and be part of a truly community-led celebration.
