Manchester Pride is one of the country’s biggest celebrations of the LGBTQ+ community and always promises to be a good time. As usual, this year’s Pride will take place over the August bank holiday weekend (August 26-29) and will feature plenty of fun, music, and events to keep you busy.
Some events, particularly within the Gay Village, will require an official Manchester Pride wristband but there are loads of other events taking place across the city to coincide with the big festival. Some of these events will be donating money to local LGBTQ+ charities and feature Pride-themed celebrations of all sorts.
READ MORE: Manchester Pride 2022 dates, tickets, parade and everything you need to know
We’ve done a quick run-down of some of the fun Pride events taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend from drag shows and cabaret nights to club takeovers and film screenings. There’s plenty for you to enjoy, but make sure you book as far in advance as possible to avoid missing out.
Love Is The Message, Escape to Freight Island
All throughout Pride weekend, Escape to Freight Island will be hosting a selection of parties, events and film screenings to delight. There’s a mixture of paid and free events too.
August 25-29. Visit website for more details.
Pride 2022, HOME
HOME will be celebrating Pride throughout August with a selection of films exploring the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community across the generations. Films include Anaïs in Love and Turning 18.
Lesbian and gay speed dating, MOTLEY
Restaurant MOTLEY will host two separate speed dating nights organised by YOTEL Manchester Deansgate to coincide with Pride. The lesbian speed dating event will take place on August 24, while the gay event will take place the next day on August 25. Events are suitable for people aged 25-45. £5 from each speed dating ticket sold will be donated to LGBTQ+ charity Switchboard.
August 24-25, tickets £15.
Pride Afternoon Tea with Sndwch and Loaf Mcr
The day begins with a special collaboration between Loaf and Sndwch Mcr to give you the ultimate Afternoon Tea for Charity. All proceeds will be going directly to Mermaids and Affinity will be matching the total raised. Expect Pride-inspired mini loafs cakes and sandwiches, plus fresh strawberries, unlimited tea and coffee, and prosecco on arrival.
Thursday, August 25 and Affinity Living Riverview. More information and tickets here.
The Alchemist's all-year-round 'Chase the Rainbow' cocktail
The Alchemist have upgraded their charitable cocktail that celebrates Pride all-year round with a new rainbow look. The ‘Chase the Rainbow’ has been a firm fixture for several years and consists of Chase Pink Grapefruit, Gin, fresh pink grapefruit and fizz. Originally served in a wine glass, The Alchemist have brought it more in line with it’s namesake by serving it in a galactic rainbow cup, topped with crushed ice and a pink grapefruit wedge.
Pre-Pride Party, Moxy’s
Drag queen Whiplash4u will be kicking off the Pride weekend with an afternoon of games, music, drinks and fun at Moxy’s on Atkinson Street. £1 from each ticket will go towards LGBT Foundation.
August 26, 2.30pm. Tickets (£6) here.
Vivienne Lynsey, Sonata
Drag performer Vivivenne Lynsey will perform a stunning night of musical theatre and jazz alongside pianist Adam O’Shea.
August 26, 9pm-12am. Cover charge £8 (half price cover charge with Pride wristband or the Canal St Card). Reserve place here.
Official Friday Night Party, Joshua Brooks
Famed for her trademark blonde beehive, DJ and producer Jodie Harsh will be playing all the tunes at Joshua Brooks on Friday night as part of Pride's Official Friday Night Party.
August 26, 10pm-4am. Tickets cost £12-15 and can be purchased here.
Love Party, KAMPUS
A queer party with a heart, Love Party will spread the love by raising money for LGBTQ+ charities, including the Black Trans Foundation. The event will feature Kiss Me Again, Good Afternoon, Thom Docking, Joshua Hubbard, Banksie, The Fat Britney and the Love Party Queer Community Choir.
August 27, 2pm to 1am. Tickets from £4.
The Refuge Come As You Are Weekender
The legendary two-day event showcases iconic DJs and performers including headline acts The Reflex and John Morales and will take place on Saturday and Sunday. Igniting the celebration of all things music, love and inclusivity, expect appearances from The Hush Club, Julie Willis, Jimmy Turnbull, Supernature Disco, Sticky Heat, The Colonel and Steve Conry. Meanwhile, Queens Cheddar Gorgeous and Liquorice Black will also be making a fabulous appearance to celebrate with fellow pride partygoers each day.
Free, non-ticketed. The Refuge at Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, 27-28 August. From 12pm.
Big Gay Brunch, The Black Friar
Brunch and booze is all provided for at the Big Gay Bottomless Brunch at Salford’s Black Friar pub. The event features disco DJs and bottomless booze for 90 minutes. £2 from each ticket will be donated to AKT.
August 27-29, 11-3pm. Tickets £35.
Bottomless Drag Brunch, Peru Perdu
Peruvian restaurant and bar Peru Perdu will be hosting a special drag brunch featuring drag queen Chasity Stone and DJ Emma Clair. Event features two courses and 90 mins of bottomless Chandon Garden Spritz, made of Argentinian sparkling wine, fruits and spices.
August 27, 12-4pm. Tickets £45.
Nicole Faraday, Sonata
Bad Girls actress Nicole Faraday presents an intimate cabaret night featuring classic hits and songs from musical theatre.
August 27, 5pm-12am. Cover charge £5 (before 8pm) and £10 (after 8pm) (half price cover charge with Pride wristband or the Canal St Card). Reserve place here.
Essential Superclub, Albert Hall
Nightclub Essentialand its sister afterparty night Morning Glory have returned to Manchester for one night only. The Ibiza-style dance party promises ‘super-hot dancers, muscle boys and club freaks' alongside spectacular lights and confetti.
August 27, 10pm-5am. Tickets from £25 to £60.75.
Drag Queen Brunch Bingo Pride, Pong & Puck
Drag queen Ginger Hunter will be hosting a lunchtime brunch of bingo, games and cheesy hits. Tickets include a welcome cocktail, a pizza, and two hours of bottomless booze.
August 28, 12.30-3pm. Tickets £45.
Mcr Pride RuBellion, Rebellion
RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Cherry Valentine, Bailey J Mills and Imani Versace will take part in a spectacular drag show, hosted by Yshee Black. The event includes a 90 minute free bar, on-stage games and music from DJ Matt Crabb.
August 28, 12-5pm. Tickets £25-35.
Bette: Bathhouse to Broadway!, Sonata
Paying tribute to the legendary Bette Midler, performer Jonathan Booth will sing of the star’s biggest hits, alongside a bit of comedy and story time.
August 29, 6pm-12am. Cover charge £5 (before 8pm) and £8 (after 8pm) (half price cover charge with Pride wristband or the Canal St Card). Reserve place here.
Pride specials at Cottonopolis
Cottonopolis are celebrating in the best way they know - with bottomless brunch, a killer DJ line-up and Pride specials. They've partnered with Cirôc Vodka for the weekend and to celebrate, and everyone who books ahead for Brunch - with Queens Narcissa Nightshade and Lilly Snatchdragon - will get a complimentary Cirôc Vodka cocktail to get the party started – plus there are also some brand-new brunch dishes available including rainbow sushi rolls - with £1 from Pride specials going directly to George House Trust.
Address: 16 Newton St, Manchester M1 2AE
Pride cocktails at The Midland
The plush hotel has created two eye-catching cocktails to celebrate Manchester Pride, with both available during the Pride Festival weekend. One combines Marie Brizard Gomme Syrup with Tanqueray Gin, lemon juice, Limoncello, Gifford Crème Menthe and Blue Curacao, giving it a vibrant blue hue, while the other brings together Grenadine, apricot liqueur, orange gin, lemon and pineapple juice and blue curacao.
August 26-29. Both cocktails are available for £10 each.
Peachy pints, Bundobust
Throughout Pride weekend, popular street food restaurant Bundobust will be serving up a limited edition Peach Wheat Beer. £1.50 per pint will go towards the Manchester Pride charity.
The beer will be available at Bundobust, alongside Common, Nell’s Pizza, and Café Beermoth throughout Pride weekend.
Pride Cinema screenings with King Street Townhouse
This August Bank Holiday Weekend, King Street Townhouse has collaborated with Manchester Pride to show a range of films to raise money for the LGBTQ+ charity. Screenings include the Elton John musical fantasy biopic Rocketman , the Oscar-winning The Danish Girl and Bohemian Rhapsody , as well as Brit-flick underdog Pride , based on the true story of a group of lesbian and gay activists raising money to help families affected by the 1984 miners' strike.
Each ticket costs £10 per person and includes pick ‘n’ mix and popcorn, with all proceeds donated to the Manchester Pride Charity. Tickets can be booked online here.
Leven cocktails with BuzzBalls
For Manchester Pride weekend, new kid on the block, Leven, is partnering with BuzzBalls to create a pop-up bar outside the property on Canal Street. Serving six different vibrant flavours, the ready-to-drink cocktails will be available at the hotel's Manchester's pop-up outdoor bar from Friday to Monday at 40 Charlton Street, M1 3HW.
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