What to expect at Family Pride MCR 

Family Pride MCR is a guide to the many safe and welcoming spaces across the city for families of all kinds to come together and express themselves freely. This guide allows you to find events that offer children and families a friendly space to meet, connect and celebrate pride in a way that’s designed just for them.

Top Pride Tips from Proud 2 b Parents!

• Stay Hydrated and Energised: Don't forget to pack water and snacks for your little ones to keep them fuelled and ready to party! Dancing and celebrating can be tiring, so keeping everyone hydrated and nourished is key.
• Weather-Ready Essentials: Manchester weather can be quite unpredictable, so be prepared with suncream, hats, and waterproofs. Whether it's shining sun or unexpected rain, you'll be ready to embrace the festivities no matter what the weather is.
• Explore Every Corner: The Great Northern site is bustling with vibrant activities and workshops. Take the time to explore every nook and cranny – you never know what surprises await you around the next corner.
• Friendly Guidance: If you're unsure about anything or need directions, don't hesitate to reach out to the amazing MCR Pride volunteers or stop by the Proud 2 b Parents stall. They're there to make sure you have a fantastic day, so feel free to ask for help and information.
• Unleash the Fun: Most importantly, let loose and enjoy the festivities! It's a day of celebration for our incredible community, so dance, sing, laugh, and make unforgettable memories.

Family Pride MCR 2024 

We’re delighted to promote another incredible Family Pride MCR event at The Great Northern Warehouse in partnership with Proud 2 B Parents, along with many other brilliant events for LGBTQ+ parents and their families! Join us for a fun-filled day featuring a variety of activities and entertainment for families to enjoy. Below is the detailed timetable and additional information to help you plan your day.

Saturday 24th August, 12:30PM - 6:00PM
Great Northern Warehouse, Manchester

EVENT SCHEDULE 

Amphitheater Outdoor Space | 12:30 PM - 6:00 PM

• Hair and Glitter Tattoos Station: Get creative with dazzling hair and glitter tattoos!
• Art Activation Space: Unleash your creativity with our art activities
• Soccer and Soft Archery: Enjoy some sports and soft archery fun
• Forest-Based Activities: Join us in the amphitheatre space through Conker Club for forest-themed creative activities by the sandpit hut

Main Stage (Host TBC!)

• 12:30PM - 1:30PM: Soothing music will be played to offer a calm space, with tunes ramping up from 1:30 PM onwards
• 3:00PM - 4:00PM: The amazing House of Ghetto will be throwing shapes and teaching us to perfect our moves
• 5:00PM - 6:00PM: Join Aida H Dee at the main stage for a spectacular finale performance.

Lower Atrium, Inside Great Northern Warehouse

• Face Painter: Glitter Rainbow face painting.
• Market Hall: A variety of vendors and organizations to explore.
• Art Mural: Get creative and be part of our wall installation with this interactive mural.

Upper Atrium, Inside Great Northern Warehouse

• Ping-Pong hub: Ping-pong heaven.
• Trainmaster: Train-themed activities for little ones.
• Baby Play & Toddler Wandering: Activities for the youngest family members.
• Chest Feeding & Child Changing Station: Facilities available.
• Picnic Areas: Relax and enjoy your picnic in the upper and lower atriums.

Mascot Meet and Greet Schedule in the Upper Atrium

• 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM: Pride Mickey and Minnie
• 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM: Stitch
• 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Pride Mickey and Minnie

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

Amphitheater Outdoor Space

• Bookstore & Information Station: Located at the main entrance. Find books, resources, and event information here.

Safety and Amenities

• Feeding Station: Chest feeding facilities available in the upper atrium.
• Child Changing Facilities: Located in the upper atrium.
• Hydration Stations: Water stations available throughout the venue.
• Lost Child Station: Dedicated area for lost children. Please report to the information station for assistance.

We look forward to celebrating Family Pride MCR with you and making this a memorable event for all!

MORE FAMILY EVENTS AROUND THE CITY

Ghetto Fabulous | Main stage at Family Pride MCR
Saturday 24th August | 3pm - 4pm
Great Northern Warehouse
FREE

George and Cal will lead a gentle dance workshop for all the family! This workshop will get you moving and grooving to disco, funk and house beats, and is sure to make you feel absolutely fabulous.


Trainmasters | Family Pride MCR
Saturday 24th August | 1pm - 5pm
Great Northern Warehouse
Location: outside little Northerners Playspace
FREE

Trainmasters are super excited to be back at Family Pride MCR for a second year! Specialists in train themed events, Trainmasters are bringing lots of trains and tracks, and a ride-on train. This event is suitable for children aged from 2-6 yrs. No need to book, this event is free to attend.


Manchester Pride Parade
Saturday 24th August 
Manchester City Centre 
FREE, UNTICKETED

The world famous Manchester Pride Parade returns to Manchester Pride Festival and this year we’re ‘Buzzin’ to be Queer’! The iconic worker bee, deeply rooted in Manchester's history, is the focal symbol for this year's Pride Parade theme. The bee symbolises not only the hard work that has defined the city's history, but also the ongoing commitment to progress, inclusivity, and equality that Manchester Pride champions. Join us as we fill the streets with colour and protest for LGBTQ+ liberation!

Community Lane at the Gay Village Party
Saturday 24th - Sunday 25th August 
Chorlton Street
TICKETED 

Get ready to immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Community Lane in partnership with LGBT Foundation!
Located on Chorlton Street, Community Lane is your sanctuary amidst the bustling festivities. This dynamic hub brings together community organisations, charities, and small businesses to create an interactive and inclusive experience for the LGBTQ+ community. Whether you're looking to engage with social justice causes, find tranquillity in our sober spaces, or support local queer artists, Community Lane has something for everyone!

Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show
The Alan Turing Stage, Gay Village Party
TICKETED

Calling all dog lovers, Pride pooches and pups - Ginny Lemon’s Dog Show is BACK for 2024! Get down to Sackville Gardens on Sunday 25th August for an unmissable doggy extravaganza celebrating our four-legged (and two-legged) friends, hosted by Ginny Lemon & Fatt Butcher and featuring special guest judges. We’ll be showcasing Pride pooches, dog lovers and pups galore, so join us for an afternoon of festivities and outrageous antics.

This is a safe and accessible event suitable for families, but please note that the second part of the show will contain adult themes. A short break will be announced before our pups take to the stage, so anyone who wishes to leave is given plenty of time to do so.

FAMILY TICKETS AT MANCHESTER PRIDE FESTIVAL

We have a fantastic offer for families at Manchester Pride. Firstly, 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 have both Saturday tickets and Sunday tickets available.

SUPERBIA EVENTS AND YOUTH PRIDE MCR

In addition to our Family Guide to Pride, we’re proud to have put together a Youth  Guide to Pride and a Superbia Guide to Pride featuring lots of fantastic events supported by Manchester Pride grants. Many of the events take place around the city, making them perfect to attend alongside Family Pride MCR at Manchester Pride Festival!