This year’s Manchester Pride will feature a new two-day event as part of the annual LGBTQ+ festivities, which contribute £27.5m to the local economy. 

Mardi Gras will take over Depot Mayfield and Freight Island from 23-24 August. The name is a nod to how Pride was celebrated before it became known as Manchester Pride. It will offer festival goers a platform to party together and celebrate LGBTQ+ culture with artists, performers, DJs and shows. 

Funds raised from Mardi Gras ticket sales will help deliver safe, city-wide celebrations, including the Parade and Gay Village Party. The event is being created in response to feedback from Manchester Pride’s “Pride In Our Future” community consultation, which recognised the evolving priorities of LGBTQ+ communities.

David McGovern, chair of the board of trustees at Manchester Pride said: ”Manchester Pride has always been about pushing boundaries, creating new opportunities for people to come together, and celebrating the incredible diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. Mardi Gras represents the next step in this journey. Every year, our audience has grown; with that, the demand for more ways to celebrate Pride has increased. Introducing this new dedicated venue at Depot Mayfield will mean we can invite new audiences and make Pride even more accessible for all to enjoy.” 

While Mardi Gras is expected to be a big part of the festival, Manchester Pride will also see the return of events such as the Manchester Pride Parade, Gay Village Party, The Rally, Candlelit Vigil, Superbia, Family Pride MCR, and Youth Pride MCR.

The festival will kick off on 15 August with celebrations concluding on 25 August, including the annual parade through the streets of Manchester, a march symbolising the enduring significance of unity, resilience, and the ongoing fight for equality.

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