Film festivals to four-course meals, our guide to the best of Manchester Pride 2024
Manchester is rolling out the rainbow carpet to celebrate Pride 2024. The four-day celebration over the August bank holiday weekend (23-26 August) will host live music, limited edition exhibitions and, of course, the Manchester Pride parade, which this year has a worker bee theme: Buzzin To Be Queer – A Hive of Progress.
But even outside of the official Manchester Pride celebrations, there are plenty of other things to do. From queer film festivals that celebrate LGBTQ+ media to four-course date-night dinners while your very own string group serenades you with camp pop hits, there’s something for everyone.
Here’s our guide to what's on at Manchester Pride 2024.
Big Pride Bash with Ginger Hunter
25 August
Ginger Hunter is back and bringing the Big Pride Bash to Pong & Puck once again. She’ll be there hosting Music Bingo, a Loo Roll Runway and Cocktail Pong as part of the ultimate bottomless brunch. Arrive at 12.30pm for an afternoon of boozy hilarity. Don't worry, there's no work the next day.
Pride Afternoon Tea
13-27 August
Kick off your Pride weekend with an afternoon at the decadent Grand Pacific, who are offering a floral-inspired afternoon tea including a Pride Special Brew. If that isn’t your cup of tea, they’re also partnering with Diversity Role Models to craft a Pride cocktail menu. With 100% of the proceeds of every cocktail going to the charity, you’re supporting queer role models with every sip.
SCENE Festival
Multiple locations across Manchester
16-22 August
Celebrate seven days of LGBTQ+ film and TV with Manchester’s brand-new SCENE festival. From screenings of Queer As Folk (with appearances from writer Russell T Davies) and a 1999-themed after-party to a dynamic workshop at YES that’ll help you sell your own script, it’s not an event to be missed.
My Son’s A Queer, (But What Can You Do?)
19-25 August
While you might only know Rob Madge from his viral TikTok videos, he’s taking to the stage to recreate his legendary Disney parade. Join him for a joyous autobiographical story that celebrates queerness, acceptance and Aladdin (NOT Ursula).
Pride Bottomless Brunch
23-26 August
Start your Pride weekend with three hours of unlimited brunch at Pen and Pencil. Inspired by the steakhouses of the ’50s, Pen and Pencil are offering a curated selection of breakfast and cocktail menus to get you in the mood for Pride celebrations. It’s also the perfect place to nurse your hangover with unlimited eggs.
The Lesbian Bar Project: Screening and Afterparty
21 August
Head to Vanilla to watch the Emmy and GLAAD Award-Winning docuseries, The Lesbian Bar Project. The US filmmaking team, including director Erica Rose, will be in the UK for the first time to answer your questions. The screening will be followed by a sapphic afterparty with beats provided by Manc DJ, The Mix-stress.
Grand Pacific Presents An Evening of Pride Classics
22 August
Looking for the perfect Pride date night? Head to Grand Pacific, who are hosting a four-course dinner experience with a live string band. From ABBA to Beyonce, String Infusion -an all-female electric-acoustic string group, will be serenading your evening. Tickets cost £60 and we’re expecting them to sell fast.
Freedom To Be Party
23 August
Queer club night Make Me Feel will take over the Ducie decks on the Friday night of Pride weekend. Expect Manchester’s finest LGBTQIA+ DJs, dancers and special guests for a free party filled with beats, love, and pure Pride vibes.
BENT: 12-Hour Queer Pride Rave
The Yard
24 August
Head to The Yard for 12 hours of music. With sets from D. Tiffany, NYC Downlow and GIDEÖN, leave the glitter (and pretensions) at home. With a queer art market for you to explore, head to The Yard's open-air venue for a night like no other.
Come As You Are 2024
24-25 August
Join a host of local legends for Come As You Are, with the likes of Sticky Heat, Flash Ibiza and Supernature Disco all spinning tunes. Meanwhile Ghetto Fabulous and Family Gorgeous will be sending a crew of their queens to bring even more wild entertainment. Tickets are, as usual, free but the event runs on a first come, first serve basis. So head to Refuge early to secure your spot.
Drag Brunch
25 August
It’s the battle of the brunches over Pride weekend. This one mixes unlimited sushi with drinks packages and fierce performances from jaw-dropping drag artists Krystal Versace and Jonbers Blonde - both stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
