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FAQs
About the Manchester Pride Charity
What is Manchester Pride?+
Manchester Pride is a charity which creates platforms for queer visibility, helps to bring people together to celebrate LGBTQ+ life and campaigns for inclusion and equality across Greater Manchester.

We have four big goals:

  • Campaign for the advancement of LGBTQ+ equality at home and abroad. To educate the people of Greater Manchester and beyond to recognise, understand and challenge discrimination against all LGBTQ+ people.
  • To stage an annual world class pride celebration of LGBTQ+ life in Greater Manchester. This is called Manchester Pride Festival and includes things like the Parade, Candlelit Vigil, Gay Village Party, Youth Pride MCR and more.
  • Raise awareness and support for LGBTQ+ mental health. To increase the levels of social engagement and wellbeing by celebrating cultural activities for, by and with LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester and to work with organisations to improve the mental health of LGBTQ+ people.
  • Make packages of support, including grants, available for LGBTQ+ community groups, organisations, events and causes in Greater Manchester.
How does Manchester Pride operate?+
Manchester Pride is a charity. Like many charities, we get our income from a variety of sources including donations, some grants, and through the delivery of Manchester Pride Festival over August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Our August Bank Holiday celebrations meet a key charitable objective of ours, are a celebration of LGBTQ+ life in Greater Manchester and exist to campaign for greater LGBTQ+ equality.

In order to do this, we have a subsidiary trading company which is called Manchester Pride Events Ltd. It is a not-for-profit company. This company is registered with Companies House, is fully audited and is what’s called a wholly owned subsidiary. That means any surplus generated by the company is given directly to the charity which owns it.

Manchester Pride Events Ltd organises Manchester Pride Festival for the charity. All staff work for the Charity to deliver its charitable goals.

It’s common for charities to have trading companies which generate income (it’s how many of the charity shops you see on the high street operate). In the case of Manchester Pride, our trading company doesn’t run shops - it runs a four day event celebrating LGBTQ+ life in Greater Manchester.

Our August Bank Holiday celebrations are our biggest source of income, which supports us to deliver all of our other charitable objectives.
Where does Manchester Pride get its income from?+
The charity gets its income from a variety of sources including direct donations and some grants. However, the main source of income to enable us to deliver our charitable objectives comes from its not-for-profit trading company, Manchester Pride Events Ltd, which organises Manchester Pride Festival each summer.
Does Manchester Pride make a profit?+
The Manchester Pride Charity is of course, a charity and has no shareholders. It generates its income in a variety of ways including donations and income gifted to it from the surplus generated by its wholly owned and not-for-profit trading company, Manchester Pride Events Ltd. Manchester Pride Events Limited delivers Manchester Pride Festival over August Bank Holiday weekend.

All income generated by the charity is retained by the charity to help it deliver its charitable objectives.

Alongside funding LGBTQ+ causes across Greater Manchester, Manchester Pride delivers its own projects and initiatives to enhance the lives of LGBTQ+ people. Every penny we raise is reinvested into supporting LGBTQ+ communities, celebrating LGBTQ+ life and campaigning for the further advancement of LGBTQ+ equality.
What other projects and initiatives does Manchester Pride deliver?+
In addition to the delivery of Manchester Pride Festival, the Manchester Pride Charity also delivers the below;
  • Grassroots Community Grant programme available for LGBTQ+ groups, organisations, projects, initiatives, LGBTQ+ artists and causes across Greater Manchester.
  • The All Equals Charter to create a consistent approach to inclusion across the board so that all LGBTQ+ people have equal opportunities in the workplace.
  • Superbia, our year-round calendar of queer arts and culture designed to support, curate, fund and promote LGBTQ+ events throughout Greater Manchester.
  • We also deliver a year round programme of projects to support LGBTQ+ people and communities, including our Youth Pride MCR workshops, Community Sessions and and Skill Share Workshops.
When people donate to Manchester Pride, where does the money go?+
When people give us a direct donation (by that we mean a donation of money they’ve raised or money put in a donation box), that money is always redistributed to our charity partners and to our grassroots community groups through our grant distribution programme. It does not go towards cover the running costs of the charity.
Does Manchester Pride fund grassroots organisations?+
Yes, absolutely! Local LGBTQ+ grassroots community groups provide vital support and opportunities for our communities. In addition to supporting our charity partners and funding LGBTQ+ events in Greater Manchester through our Arts & Culture programme, Superbia, we also provide financial and practical support to empower grassroots organisations and help them flourish. Previous grant recipients include Greater Manchester Prides (Bury, Bolton, Oldham, Stockport, Salford Pink Picnic and Didsbury), Sexuality Summer School, Vogue Ball at Queer Contact, Trans Creative, Queer Media Festival and lost more.
How do Manchester Pride's August events operate?+
Since 2018, the Portland Street Strategic Regeneration Framework meant that is was no longer viable to deliver Manchester Pride Festival in the Gay Village alone. It is now a city-wide celebration of LGBTQ+ life.

Our attendees come to the event for many different reasons and they have a choice about how they attend and what they would like to pay for. They can choose to attend the Gay Village Party, our only ticketed event, or they can choose to attend the many free events over the weekend including the Candlelit Vigil, Superbia Weekend, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride MCR, the Human Rights Forum and the Manchester Pride Parade.
What benefits do Manchester Pride's August events bring?+
Our events over August Bank Holiday provide a very visible way for queer people to be out and proud in Manchester. Whether your view of pride is a protest or party (or both!), our events provide numerous ways you can get involved. They also provide a platform for the community to be able to fundraise for good causes.

Some other benefits that you might not be aware of:

  • Ours is the only UK Pride event to have a dedicated festival for young people (Youth Pride MCR). 
  • We create opportunities for LGBTQ+ people and allies to gain skills. Each year we train more than 250 volunteers to be a part of the celebrations.
  • We provide a platform for LGBTQ+ artists from Greater Manchester – giving them access to a large audience and the oxygen of publicity.
  • We procure services and supplies from LGBTQ+ owned business across the city-region.
  • Manchester Pride's August Bank Holiday events make a £34 million impact and contribution to the economy of the city of Manchester.
General
What dates does Manchester Pride Festival take place?+
Manchester Pride Festival takes place over August Bank Holiday weekend each year. Manchester Pride Festival 2023 takes place from 25th - 28th August.
Can I bring dogs to Manchester Pride Festival?+
Events at the Gay Village Party and crowd capacities can make the event site a very noisy and uncomfortable place for dogs. In the interest of protecting the welfare of animals, we would strongly advise against bringing your dogs to our evening events spaces where there is very loud music or performances taking place. 

Assistance dogs are of course permitted to enter all of our event spaces.
How do I make a complaint?+
If you wish to send a complaint or feedback, please email info@manchesterpride.com. We will aim to respond to complaints within 28 days, with a further 28-day extension added if a more in-depth investigation is required. The deadline for complaints received regarding Manchester Pride Festival is 30th September each year.

* Please note that complaints over social media are not monitored by our complaints processing team.
Events
When will the Manchester Pride Festival line-up be revealed?+
We're working hard behind the scenes to bring you another fantastic line-up for 2025! We're are taking the necessary time to ensure we can continue to stage world-class celebrations for the community to enjoy. 

Stay tuned to our social media channels and be sure to click the bell icon and turn on notifications so that you're the first to know when our line-ups are released.
How is best to travel to Manchester Pride Festival?+
Travelling by train? 

The closest train stations to the event are Manchester Piccadilly or Oxford Road.

Travelling by tram? 

The easiest way to get to and from Manchester Pride Festival is using Metrolink.

Nearest stops:
  • For Gay Village Party: Piccadilly Gardens
  • For the Parade: Deansgate Castlefield & St Peters Square
Travelling by bus?

Take a bus to Manchester Piccadilly Gardens. From there, the Gay Village Party event site is a two minute walk and just across the road.

Travelling by plane? 

From Manchester Airport, you can take a train or the Metrolink tram to Manchester Piccadilly. Alternatively, you can take a bus to Piccadilly Gardens from the airport.
Where should I stay over August Bank Holiday weekend?+
There are many different accommodation options within walking distance of Manchester Pride Festival. You may wish to book a hotel, a B&B, an Airbnb or stay with friends over the weekend.

Check out our social media channels in the run-up to the event where we'll be sharing details of our hotel partners, including some fantastic deals!
How do I apply for a Market Stall at Manchester Pride?+
Applications for trader market stalls at Manchester Pride Festival 2025 will open in due course. Please check back soon for more information, and keep an eye on our website here for more information on how to get involved.
How do I get my organisation/business involved at Manchester Pride Festival?+
Please check our website here for more information on how you can get involved in Manchester Pride Festival 2025.
How do I apply to be a Food Trader at Manchester Pride Festival?+
Applications for Food Traders at Manchester Pride Festival 2025 will open in due course. Please check back soon for more information, and keep an eye on our website here for more information on how to get involved.
Accessibility
What provisions do you have in place for customers with access needs at Manchester Pride events?+
Please see our Accessibility hub here on our website which will provide you with the information you need to ensure an enjoyable experience at Manchester Pride events.

We have a dedicated access team on site at Manchester Pride Festival to assist our customers, along with other provisions such as British Sign Language Interpreters on our stages, accessible toilets as well as downloadable resources made available prior to the event that customers can bring with them over the weekend.

How do I get in touch with the Accessibility Team?+

We have a dedicated Accessibility team on site at Manchester Pride Festival across August Bank Holiday weekend who will be able to assist customers with any individual access needs.

If you need support in regards to Accessibility prior to Manchester Pride Festival:

You can email our Access Team at accessibility@manchesterpride.com or you can call the Manchester Pride Office at 0161 831 7700. 

If you need support in regards to Accessibility during Manchester Pride Festival: 

You will be able to find members of the Access Team at the Access Reception (located near Pledge Band Exchange, Aytoun Street Car Park) to chat through any issues.

You can call 07514794496 to speak to our Access Team directly. This phone number will be active from:
  • Monday 21st August - Thursday 24th August: 10am - 5pm
  • Friday 25th August - Monday 28th August: 10am - 10pm
Please note that the Manchester Pride Festival site can be loud and at times, and we may struggle to hear you. If this is the case, we will ask you to text us instead.
Do you offer Carer/Personal Assistant tickets for the Gay Village Party?+
In our commitment to making Manchester Pride Festival accessible to everyone, we provide ticket holders with a disability that require full-time assistance, with a complimentary ticket for their carer/personal assistant. Carer/Personal Assistant Tickets are limited to 1 per applicant. We kindly ask that you purchase your own Gay Village Party ticket online first when tickets go on sale, and then complete our form to request your complimentary Carer/Personal Assistant Ticket. Visit our Accessibility hub to find out how to apply.
When will I receive my Carer/Personal Assistant ticket?+
If you sent us an Access Application before Friday 11th August 2023, you should have had your PA ticket added to your Ticketmaster account. Please let us know if you have not yet received this. If you sent us an Access Application after Friday 11th August 2023, your PA ticket will be sent out before or on Monday 21st August 2023.
Do you provide alternative access routes at the Gay Village Party?+
Manchester Pride is aware of the limitations and restrictions of making the Gay Village Party event site fully accessible due to the nature of the location of the event, and so we work to provide alternative access for our customers where access is restricted.
Which performances at Manchester Pride Festival will be BSL interpreted?+
We ensure that British Sign Language interpreters are present at Manchester Pride Festival stages and events. All staged areas with performances with words or lyrics will have BSL interpretation at all times. BSL interpreters are usually located on the left of our stages.

The Village Stage

Village Stage Friday: 20:00 - 23:00 

Village Stage Saturday: 15:00 - 23:00 

Village Stage Sunday:   15:00 - 23:00 

Village Stage Monday:  14:00 - 18:00 

The Alan Turing Stage

Alan Turing Stage Friday: 18:00 - 23:30 

Alan Turing Stage Saturday: 14:00 - 20:00   

Alan Turing Stage Sunday: 12:00 - 22:30 

Alan Turing Stage Monday: 14:00 - 16:00     

Family Pride MCR

Family Pride MCR Saturday: 12:00 - 18:00 

Youth Pride MCR

Youth Pride MCR Sunday: 12:00 - 19:00      

Human Rights Forum

Friday: 18:00-19:00 

The Candlelit Vigil  

Monday: 21:00-22:00



Where is the quiet space located?+
If you would like time away from the crowds during Manchester Pride Festival, we have a Quiet Space available throughout the duration of the Festival. There will be a ‘Complete Silence Room’ and a ‘Low-Volume Activities Room’ available. There is also a multifaith prayer space available. These rooms will be signposted.

Location
Watershed Suite, Townhouse Hotel 
101 Portland St, Manchester M1 6DF 

Opening Times
Friday 25th August 2023: 12pm-10pm 
Saturday 26th August 2023 : 12pm-10pm 
Sunday 27th August 2023: 12:00pm- 7:00pm
Will there be a Mobiloo at this year's festival?+
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer a Mobiloo (changing places facility) at Manchester Pride Festival this year, but this is something we are hoping to have in place for future events. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause. 

Please see below a list of nearest available and opening times:  

Manchester Aquatics Centre

2 Booth Street East, Ardwick,Manchester, M13 9SS 

Toilet features: Bench - Height Adjustable, Adult Sized, Free Standing / Hoist - Loop , Mobile / Peninsular Toilet / Non Slip Floor / Floor Space (sq. m) - 7.0 

Manchester Central Library 

St. Peters Square, Manchester , M2 5PD 

Toilet Features: Bench - Height Adjustable, Adult Sized, Wall Mounted / Hoist - Ceiling , Loop / Peninsular Toilet / Washbasin Height Adjustable / Non Slip Floor / Floor Space (sq. m) - 16.0 / Emergency Alarm 

Manchester Town Hall 

Lloyd Street, Manchester, M60 2LA   

Toilet Features:Bench - Height Adjustable, Adult Sized, Wall Mounted / Hoist - Ceiling , Loop / Peninsular Toilet/ Non Slip Floor/ Floor Space (sq. m) - 12.0/ Emergency Alarm/ Privacy Screen

Gay Village Party Ticketing
Where can I find your ticket Terms & Conditions?+
Please read our Ticket Terms & Conditions in the footer of our website before purchasing your Manchester Pride pledge band.
I am having problems with buying my ticket. Who do I contact?+
All of our ticketing is dealt with through our ticketing agent, Ticketmaster, and therefore we do not hold any customer ticket data. Please contact Ticketmaster's customer services directly so that they can help you with your enquiry.
Who do I contact with general ticketing enquiries?+
All of our ticketing is handled by Ticketmaster. Please use their customer service help page for help with your enquiry, and get in touch with their customer service team with any further questions regarding your purchase.
What do I do with my ticket? How do I get a Pledge Band?+
Prior to or upon arrival at Manchester Pride Festival, you’ll need to swap your ticket for a Pledge Band at our Pledge Ban Exchange Point. This year, our Pledge Band Exchange Point is located at Aytoun Street Car Park. 

OPENING TIMES: 

Friday 23rd August: 12:00 - 23:00 
Saturday 24th August: 12:00 - 23:00
Sunday 25th August: 12:00 - 23:00
Monday 26th August: CLOSED

Come down and swap your tickets early to beat the queues and leave more time for celebrating!
I am struggling to afford a ticket for Manchester Pride Festival. What can I do?+
We have a variety of ticket options available, from day to weekend, with tickets starting at £2.50 for a Monday Gay Village Party donation ticket. We also offer Low Income Tickets which will be priced based on a 50% reduction on the full price ticket.
How do I claim my low income tickets after being accepted?+
Once we have informed you that your application has been accepted, we will be in touch to give you details on how to claim your Low Income ticket.
Can I upgrade my ticket from a weekend ticket to a VIP ticket?+
Unfortunately we do not offer ticket upgrades, so if you'd like to attend as a VIP then you would need to purchase a VIP ticket.
Do you have any family tickets?+
We have a fantastic offer for families at Manchester Pride Festival. Family tickets are valid for either X2 adults and X2 children, or X1 adult and X3 children (aged 3 - 15) years old, with babies in arms aged 2 and under not requiring a ticket. We also have a dedicated event for Rainbow families called Family Pride MCR which is free to attend, and lots of fun for your little ones!
We are a family of 5, the family ticket only covers a family of four. What is the best course of action?+
Your family ticket covers 2 adults and 2 children, or 1 adult and 3 children. You will need to buy an additional adult ticket to cover the additional family member.
Can I enter with a family ticket even though I'm/we're only [1/2] adults?+
Yes. With a Family Ticket, you will still be able to gain access to the Gay Village Party, regardless of the attendance of children.
Is there an age restriction on tickets?+
Nope. Gay Village Party tickets do not have any age restrictions and customers of all ages are welcome to join the event. However, there may be some events or activities which may be restricted to over 18s and ID checks will be carried out at the entrance to event areas. If you’re attending with your family, then we do have a Family ticket option available to purchase from our ticket agent.
I have bought my ticket online but I can't download it?+
Tickets are usually released for download much closer to the event. If you are experiencing technical issues with your ticket, please contact Ticketmaster for assistance.
Is there an option to receive Pledge Bands in the post?+
All tickets will be E-tickets and each individual will need to visit the Pledge Band Exchange Point on Aytoun Street Car Park to exchange their ticket for a Pledge Band.
Can I collect a Pledge Band for someone else?+
For safety reasons and to ensure that Pledge Bands are going to the correct person, the Box Office staff need to see each individual ticket holder and they will place the Pledge Bands on each person’s wrists. Please make sure all of your party is present to grab their own Pledge Bands. We will of course make exceptions for accessibility reasons.
Can I purchase tickets in any Gay Village shops or bars this year?+
There will be a limited allocation to purchase Gay Village Party tickets in some of the Gay Village businesses. Please check back in due course for more information.
Do I need a ticket to enter the Gay Village Bars & Venues?+
Gay Village venues have agreed to operate a No Pledge Band No Service policy, so purchasing a ticket allows you to experience everything the Gay Village has to offer over the weekend.
Do I have to pay to enter the Gay Village over Manchester Pride Festival?+
Manchester Pride Festival offers a packed programme of events over the August Bank Holiday weekend, such as the Manchester Pride Parade, Youth Pride MCR, Family Pride MCR, Superbia and more. All of these are free with the exception of the Gay Village Party which is ticketed.

Manchester Pride is a charity and the cost of a Gay Village Party ticket helps us to deliver a safe, community party-as-protest celebration for the whole community to enjoy, as well as funding our free programme of events over the weekend. Vitally, though, your ticket helps us to platform and support the careers of queer artists and performers, and we have another stellar line-up for 2024 that we know you'll love!

You can see how every penny of your ticket is spent here, and remember that every ticket includes a £2.50 ring-fenced donation to the Manchester Pride Community Fund - an initiative that supports and enriches grassroots LGBTQ+ organisations and projects in Greater Manchester. Find out more about some of the incredible projects that you helped us fund in 2023. 

What provisions do you have in place for customers with access needs?+
We have an Accessibility hub on our website here which will provide you with the information you need to ensure an enjoyable experience at Manchester Pride.

We care deeply about inclusivity. Manchester Pride is aware of the limitations and restrictions of making the Gay Village Party event site fully accessible due to the nature of the location of the event, and so we provide alternative access where access is restricted.

At the Gay Village Party, we offer a free Carer/Personal Assistant Ticket for all customers with access requirements. Customers with a disability that require full-time assistance should purchase their own ticket, and then head apply for a complimentary Carer/Personal Assistant Ticket. Once applied for, our dedicated accessibility team will be in touch closer to the event to introduce themselves and confirm any access requirements.

We have a dedicated access team on site at Manchester Pride Festival across August Bank Holiday weekend who will be able to assist with any individual needs. This is in addition to other provisions such as British Sign Language Interpreters on our stages, accessible toilets as well as downloadable resources that customers can bring with them to our events.
Can I bring a bag into the event?+
We understand that people may wish to bring a bag or may need to bring a bag for personal reasons, and that’s absolutely fine. However, we would ask you to only bring a bag if it’s really necessary, as this may delay your entry into our arenas. 

Customers with accessibility requirements are of course more than welcome to bring a bag to our events.

Our main goal is to keep everyone safe, and so everyone will be subject to search on entry to event areas. We ask you to please cooperate with stewards who are conducting searches as they are trying to keep people safe.

Bags must be smaller than an A4 piece of paper.
Do I have to arrive by a certain time?+
You’ll need to check the opening times of the Box Office prior to arriving at the Gay Village Party to make sure you can exchange your ticket for a Pledge Band, but once you’ve got your Pledge Band you’ll be free to come and go as you please.

Once inside the Gay Village, Manchester Pride operated venues have individual operating times, and last entry for a staged area will be 30 minutes prior to the end of the performance times.

If you want to attend a particular bar or venue within the Gay Village, it would be best to check with them on their last entry policy.
What happens if tickets sell out?+
We have a limited number of tickets available for each day and for the weekend. We calculate our safe capacities to include the number of people attending including day tickets and weekend tickets and so there are different amounts available for each.

If a particular ticket type is sold out then unfortunately we will not be releasing any more tickets, but you can grab a ticket for another day or enjoy the weekend if those are still available.
I can’t attend anymore. Can I give my ticket to someone else?+
As stated in our Ticket Terms & Conditions, tickets for Manchester Pride Festival are non-transferable and non-refundable, and tickets can only be refunded if the event does not take place in full. Our ticketing agent, Ticketmaster, has a fan-to-fan resale option which can be found within your Ticketmaster account, so if you can’t attend the event for any reason, our first recommendation would be to head to your account and resell to someone who does want to attend. This way, the transactions will happen easily, safely and securely within Ticketmaster.
My favourite artist or performers has cancelled. Can I get a refund?+
Manchester Pride Festival has an incredibly diverse and varied programme of events, artists and performers and your Pledge Band will give you access to an amazing array of talent.

When you buy a ticket to the Gay Village Party, you’re not just buying a ticket to see any particular performance - you’re enabling us to stage a world class celebration and support the LGBTQ+ community. We do not offer refunds if any particular event, artist or stage is cancelled (and sometimes this happens, as it's live events!). We’d recommend going to find some of the other incredible talent that’s bound to be on our stages over the weekend.
What happens if an area in the Gay Village or a stage is too busy?+
Safety is the most important factor for us. We work with the responsible authorities, Manchester City Council and our Safety Advisory Group to agree safe capacities in all areas of the event. We have a team in place to monitor capacities across the whole site and so there maybe times when certain areas are closed or you may be redirected around the Gay Village. This is for the safety of everyone at the event.

The streets of the Gay Village will be crowded and we have a crowd management plan that is constantly being assessed 24 hours a day. If an area doesn’t look busy to you, there may be a reason it’s closed due to something else happening elsewhere on the site. We know it may be frustrating if you have to wait to enter a certain area or venue, but we ask you to please be patient and follow the directions of stewards for everyone’s safety, and rest assured that it will be a temporary closure and will be part of a wider plan incorporating the whole of the event.
I’ve lost my Pledge Band at the event. Can I get a replacement?+
We are unable to offer replacement Pledge Bands, refunds or exchanges if you’ve lost or broken your Pledge Band so please be careful and keep yours safe. If you lose your Pledge Band then you’ll need to buy another from the Pledge Band Exchange Point.
Is there a discount on tickets for NHS staff?+
Manchester Pride is a charity that is committed to improving the lives of LGBTQ+ people in Greater Manchester and beyond. All of our work must support this mission, which means we are unable to offer discounts to non-LGBTQ+ groups.
Can I bring alcohol with me?+
There are plenty of bars within our staged arenas with super quick service, so we won’t be allowing alcohol purchased outside the event to be brought into our staged areas. We also ask that all glass bottles and containers be left at home as we have a strict no glass policy in the public areas for everyone’s safety.
What ID should I bring to buy alcohol?+
Manchester Pride Festival bars operates a Challenge 25 Policy, so you may be required to present proof of ID on entry. We only accept a valid and in date passport, driving licence or national proof of age ID card that displays the PASS hologram.
Can I smoke in the arenas at the Gay Village Party?+
Whilst we know that some of our staged and programmed areas are outside and open to the elements, we ask that you do not smoke within any of the staged arenas as many of our non-smoking guests have expressed their desire for the arenas to be smoke-free. It is against the law to smoke in enclosed spaces so no smoking is allowed in the indoor stages, but please extend this to the outdoor arenas too.
I’m not keen on being in any official photos. What should I do?+
We want to capture the best of Manchester Pride Festival and so we will have photographers across the weekend taking pictures and videos to capture the celebration. If you do not wish Manchester Pride to use your picture, please inform the photographer and they’ll happily keep you out of shot.
Can I bring a drone?+
Unfortunately not. Please don’t bring a drone as it is dangerous to fly them in and around the event. We’ll be taking lots of official photos and videos, so leave this bit to us and you can enjoy yourself. 

We’d also ask that you don’t bring anything that can be seen as weapon, horns or loudhailers, musical instruments, fireworks or flares, flagpoles, glass including perfume bottles, aerosol cans, spray paint, drugs including Nitrous oxide, selfie sticks, laser pens or anything else that may be a danger to the public or cause nuisance.
I have a complaint. Who should I contact?+
We hope that all our visitors have the best time at Manchester Pride Festival, but if you wish to send a complaint or feedback, please email info@manchesterpride.com and quote your booking reference number. Our team is usually very busy wrapping up everything after the Festival, so we aim to respond to complaints within 28 days, with a further 28-day extension added if a more in-depth investigation is required. The deadline for complaints received regarding Manchester Pride Festival is 30th September each year following the event. We ask everyone to treat our team with respect when dealing with complaints.
Manchester Pride Parade entrant FAQs
When is the Parade?+
The Manchester Pride Parade 2023 takes place on Saturday 26th August and commences at midday.
Where does the Parade take place?+
The Parade takes place each year within the heart of Manchester City Centre starting at the junction of Liverpool Road and Deansgate and ending on Fairfield Street. We will release a map of the route on our website ahead of the Parade.
What is this year’s theme?+
This year’s theme will be Queerly Beloved, highlighting the power of love and celebrating 10 years of marriage equality, whilst posing the question: How far have we come?

The Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Act was passed on 17th July 2013 (2014 in Scotland, and 2020 in Northern Ireland), enabling civil partners to convert their partnership to a marriage if they wish; and enabled individuals to change their legal gender without having to end their marriage.
How do I take part in the Parade?+
You can apply for your business or organisation to take part in the Parade by filling out our Parade Application Form.
Can I walk on my own?+
We don’t facilitate individual entries, but we can support you in finding an organisation for you to join and walk with. Alternatively, you can join the Manchester Pride Parade Entry as a Parade Trouper as a Volunteer - we will be announcing details in due course.
What time does the Parade start?+
The Parade usually commences at 12pm. Depending on your position within the Parade you may be waiting up to 90 minutes after this before leaving the assembly area.
How long is the Manchester Pride Parade?+
Once you’ve set off on the route, it usually takes each entry 60-90 minutes to travel the route.
How much does it cost to enter?+

Pricing will vary depending on how your entry is categorised - the pricing will be detailed in the application form.

What information do we need to provide to get accepted into the Parade?+
The online application form will ask questions including who is completing the application, whether you intend to walk or have a vehicle as part of the entry and if you plan on having music. We are also asking organisations to let us know how they support LGBTQ+ people year-round aside from taking part in the Parade, to ensure that organisers are genuinely supporting the LGBTQ+ community.
Are there any age restrictions?+
No, there are no age restrictions for people to join our Parade but under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.
Can anyone turn up on the day to take part?+
All participants in the Manchester Pride Parade must be a part of a registered group. We cannot facilitate people arriving on the day with previously registering.
Can I bring banners?+
Yes, please do! We encourage our entries to bring banners that show our crowds who you are and what your message is.
What happens if I withdraw my Parade entry?+
If you decide to withdraw your entry with Manchester Pride Parade and want a full refund or for your invoice to be cancelled, notification must be sent in writing before 1st June 2023. For 50% refund or to reduce your invoice by 50%, notification must be sent by 1st July 2023. For a 25% refund or to reduce your invoice by 25%, notification must be sent by 1st August 2023.
Can my organisation/business sell to spectators along the Parade route?+
As outlined by our Commercial Engagement Policy, The Manchester Pride Parade is not a marketing opportunity to sell to an audience and selling wares along the Parade route is not permitted.
Can I hand out flyers and other promotional material?+
Yes, but you will need to obtain a licence from Manchester City Council. You can find more information by clicking here.
Does Manchester Pride Parade provide a float?+
Manchester Pride doesn’t provide any vehicles/floats. Your group will need to source your own.
Does the participant number include the driver of the float?+
Yes, please include all members of your party when considering the number of participants.
Can we bring our dog on our float or in our Parade entry?+
In the interest of protecting animals and their welfare, pets are not permitted anywhere along the Parade Route or on Parade entry floats. If you must bring a dog to the Festival, please bring them to Ginny Lemon's Dog Show at the Gay Village Party where there will be less crowding, reduced noise levels and grassy areas.
What type of generator should we get?+
We advise you to get a portable, electric generator which is up to 10kVA. We do not allow petrol generators to be used in the Parade.
Can children walk alongside a vehicle?+
Children under 10 years of age must be seated and wearing a seat belt if travelling in a vehicle. We would prefer children to be in a vehicle for their own safety if possible.
Can we choose where we are located in the Manchester Pride Parade and who we are next to?+
We have many factors to consider when assigning the Manchester Pride Parade order such as accessibility requirements, groups with small children, avoiding conflicting sound and more. We will try our best to accommodate any requests but we cannot guarantee any position.
Do I get complimentary tickets to Manchester Pride Festival for taking part in the Parade?+
Unfortunately not - taking part in the Parade does not entitle entrants to tickets and these must be purchased separately if you wish to attend the rest of Manchester Pride's festivities over August Bank Holiday weekend.
I don’t have all the information available for the application form, should I still apply?+
If you’re certain you want to take part in the Parade but don’t have all the information, then we would advise you to complete the application form as soon as possible as the Parade may fill up by the time you return to fill out the form. If details have changed after you have applied, then we can amend your application if you contact us. Please note that it may not be possible to amend the type of application i.e. walking or vehicle entry or the number of people taking part if we are already full for each category.
Can you help me complete the application form?+
Of course! If you have any issues or need help completing the application form, please contact parade@manchesterpride.com.
I’ve completed the application form - does that mean I’ve automatically been accepted?+
We assess every application individually prior to acceptance so once you have applied, our team will look at your application and email you once your application has been accepted. Your application has not been approved until you receive confirmation, so we would not advise spending any money on your entry until this point.
What happens if there are changes to our circumstances and I need to change our application?+
Please contact parade@manchesterpride.com with your new details and we can amend your application for you.
When do I need to pay?+
Once your application has been received, the team will assess your application form and you will receive confirmation that your application has been successful. At this stage, you will receive an invoice from our Finance Team. The invoice will be due for payment immediately so we please ask that all payments are made promptly. If your invoice remains unpaid prior to the Parade, you will not be able to take part.
When will I receive information about what to do?+
You’ll receive an information pack as we get closer to the time and we have confirmed all the details of the Parade that we can then share with you. Please expect the information pack no later than 6 weeks prior to the date of the Parade but we will aim to get it to your as soon as possible.