Manchester Pride has announced a brand new event for its August 2025 line-up – Mardi Gras. The new event, which will take place at Depot Mayfield on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August, will play host to world-class artists, performers, DJs and shows.
Held across two days, Mardi Gras will take over Depot Mayfield and Freight Island. The name is a nod to how Pride was celebrated before it became known as Manchester Pride. It will offer festival goers a platform to party together and celebrate LGBTQ+ culture with internationally renowned superstars.
Attendees will enjoy an unforgettable line-up of live performances, spectacular light shows, and a variety of exciting food and drink offerings. With both indoor and outdoor spaces, there will be something for everyone to enjoy.
Mardi Gras has been created in response to feedback from Manchester Pride’s “Pride In Our Future” community consultation, recognising the evolving priorities of LGBTQ+ communities. The brand new event is set to be a game-changer for Manchester Pride 2025, which brings thousands of people onto the streets of Manchester every year. It aims to provide an exciting and inclusive space for everyone to celebrate Pride, whether they identify as LGBTQ+ or as allies. Funds raised from ticket sales will help to deliver safe city-wide celebrations for other events taking place during Pride, including the Parade and Gay Village Party.
Depot Mayfield was selected as the venue to host the new event due to its proximity to Manchester’s Gay Village. Platt Fields Park and Heaton Park were also considered but the chosen venue aids Pride in its ambitions to protect and maintain support for events and businesses in the Gay Village. The new event is a five minute stroll from the much loved Gay Village Party.
David McGovern, Chair of the board of trustees at Manchester Pride, said:
”Manchester Pride has always been about pushing boundaries, creating new opportunities for people to come together, and celebrating the incredible diversity of the LGBTQ+ community.
“Mardi Gras represents the next step in this journey. Every year our audience has grown and with that, the demand for more ways to celebrate Pride has increased. Introducing this new dedicated venue at Depot Mayfield will mean we can invite new audiences and make Pride even more accessible for all to enjoy.”
As part of this new addition to the Manchester Pride calendar, Mardi Gras ticket holders will also receive full access to the Gay Village Party, making it easier than ever to experience the full breadth of Manchester Pride’s iconic events. Tickets for Mardi Gras will be available in both day and weekend options, giving attendees the flexibility to join in the celebrations at their convenience.
While Mardi Gras is expected to be a big part of the festival, Manchester Pride will also see the return of much-loved events such as the Manchester Pride Parade, Gay Village Party, The Rally, Candlelit Vigil, Superbia, Family Pride MCR, and Youth Pride MCR.
The festival will kick off on Friday 15 August with celebrations rounding off on Monday 25 August, including the annual parade through the streets of Manchester, a powerful march symbolising the enduring significance of unity, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality.
In addition to the exciting new Mardi Gras event, the Gay Village Party will return. Performances will be hosted across two stages – the Alan Turing Stage and the Indoor Arena. And adding to the joy, new for this year, audiences will have access to a thrilling funfair, market stalls, and pop-up food vendors, ensuring the Gay Village Party remains a focal point for the festival.
The Gay Village party will have a reduced capacity from previous years in response to feedback that the event had become too crowded. The Gay Village Party attendees will be required to purchase and wear a “Gay Village Supporter Band” to participate in the event.
Phil Burke, Chair of the Village Licensed Business Association, said:
“The VLBA is thrilled to support this exciting new addition to Manchester Pride. It’s fantastic to see the celebrations expanding across the city while keeping the Gay Village at the heart of the festival. Mardi Gras was originally organised by Village venues back in the 1990s, so it’s wonderful to see our community’s rich history celebrated with this revival.
“Our members are proud to host the street parties, showcasing the brilliant LGBTQ+ venues and talent Manchester has to offer. We look forward to welcoming thousands to the Gay Village Party this August and remind attendees to purchase a ‘Gay Village Party Supporter Band’ which will give them access to all the venues within the Village, and ensures the safe delivery of the celebrations.”
The celebration will close with the Candlelit Vigil in Sackville Gardens on Monday 25 August, in partnership with George House Trust.
