Manchester Village Pride is officially underway for another year, marking one of the UK's largest, proudest and most vibrant LGBTQ+ celebrations. This year though, things are a little different.
Whilst the city's official Pride celebrations date back over 40 years, 2026 marks the first Manchester Village Pride, an event set up following the voluntary liquidation of the company behind Manchester Pride last year.
New community-focused event
The new not-for-profit Community Interest Company behind this year's festival, which includes the involvement of Gay Village venues and businesses, aims to create an 'inclusive, safe and celebratory' event which brings a community focus back to proceedings.
Getting back to its roots and the community at the heart of it, the main focus is over in the Gay Village this weekend.
Friday and Saturday highlights
Friday evening set the tone with a packed line-up of musical acts and entertainment, featuring the likes of Danny Beard, Freemasons & Katherine Ellis and B*Witched on the main stage. The Canal Street Kings took over the Community Stage and Mix-Stress hosted a takeover at the Gaydio Dance Arena too.
As Saturday approached, the early afternoon kicked off with the annual parade. Reiterating the core message behind the new-look event, this year's Parade took on the theme of 'No Place Like Home'.
Heading back into the village, Saturday afternoon and evening is all about the live acts. Today, as well as drag queens and DJs, there will be big performances from stars including Gareth Gates and DJ Sammy. There will also be a second appearance from Danny Beard.
Full drinks prices at the stage areas
For those in the Village over the Bank Holiday Weekend, the bars, venues and stages will be selling drinks and food. Below is the full list of drinks prices for the stage areas:
- Spirits including Bacardi, Gordons, Jack Daniels, Malibu and Morgan Spiced - £7 (Double on all for extra £2)
- Shots of Sambuca, Gold Tequila, Jager Bomb, Tequila Rose, and Fireball - £3.50 or 4 for £12
- 187ml wine - white, rose, red and Prosecco - £7
- Cruz Campo - £6.80 or half £4.40
- Inches Cider - £.80 or £4.40
- Buzz Ball - £8
- AU Vodka - £6
- White Claw - £6
- Budweiser - £6
- Berries & Cherries - £6.50
- Smirnoff ICE - £6
- WKD - £6
- Hooch - £5.50
- Soft drinks - £3
- Water - £2.50
- Monster - £4
