The Manchester Pride Parade will embrace the transformative power of love as it returns for its annual celebration of LGBTQ+ life. The iconic parade will march through the streets of Manchester on Saturday 23 August.
Love has long been a source of strength, resilience and courage for LGBTQ+ people, helping to overcome historical and ongoing discrimination. As the fight for full equality continues, Manchester Pride 2025 aims to amplify the message that love unites, heals and conquers all.
“Love is the antidote to the hate and discrimination that many LGBTQ+ people still face today,” said Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride.
“This year, we’re celebrating love as a catalyst to challenge the political and social systems that continue to oppress LGBTQ+ communities. By taking part in the celebrations, participants will stand up against injustice and send a clear message of visibility and support to LGBTQ+ communities everywhere. At Manchester Pride, love will always be at the forefront, as we unite to build a future where everyone is free to love and live authentically.”
The announcement of the Parade theme follows the launch of Mardi Gras, a brand new event to take place at Depot Mayfield as part of the Manchester Pride celebrations. The two day event, will run from Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August and has been introduced in response to demand to expand the festival’s reach across the city. Attendees will enjoy an extravaganza of live performances, spectacular light shows, and a variety of food and drink offerings.
In addition to the new Mardi Gras event, the Gay Village Party will return, running from Friday 22 to Monday 25 August. Performances will be hosted across two stages – the Alan Turing Stage and the Indoor Arena. Audiences will also have access to a thrilling funfair, market stalls, and pop-up food vendors.
As well as the August Bank Holiday celebrations, there will be a longer ten-day event running from Friday 15 through to Monday 25 August. Featuring an array of vibrant celebrations, including Family Pride MCR and Youth Pride MCR, there will be something for everyone to enjoy, no matter how they celebrate LGBTQ+ life and culture.
Many of the events of Manchester Pride Festival 2025 are free to attend with tickets required for both Mardi Gras and Gay Village Party – tickets for which will be available through the Pride website. Funds raised from ticket sales will help to deliver safe city-wide celebrations throughout Manchester Pride.
The first general release tickets for the Mardi Gras and the Gay Village Party, both with VIP options, will go on sale Tuesday 18 March with early access on Monday 17 March to those who have registered for pre-sale.
As part of the accessibility scheme, Manchester Pride offers one free personal assistant per ticket holder. Details can be found on the accessibility section of the Manchester Pride website.
Every year the festival line-up provides a global platform to elevate the rich diverse spectrum of LGBTQ+ talent in Greater Manchester and offers LGBTQ+ communities multiple ways to celebrate their identities. The programme of events includes:
