Manchester Pride 2025 kicks-off in style
One of the UK's BIGGEST LGBTQ+ celebrations officially gets underway this evening - ahead of a huge weekend of music and festivities
It's finally here: Manchester Pride 2025 is kicking-off - and the city is ready to celebrate it, louder and prouder than ever!
Festivities are set to take over the city, as tens of thousands of people slay it down Canal Street, dance the night away at the Mayfield Depot, and take a moment to reflect in two events which book-end the whole thing with the Rally and iconic Candlelit Vigil.
In what has been an defining year for LGBT+ issues at home and around the world, organisers tell us it's as vital now as it ever has been to get behind what is a party rooted in protest.
And bringing it all together, of course, is when the city pauses for a brief few hours on Saturday afternoon for the Parade - putting acceptance and joy well and truly into the spotlight.
This year's theme is 'Love' - a word which means so much to the Queer community.
Organisers say how these simple four letters, 'in the face of historical and ongoing discrimination', have helped queer people have the courage to be themselves.
Mark Fletcher is the Chief Executive Officer of Manchester Pride and has been telling us about how the event is always evolving to the needs of the LGBTQ+ community.
He said: "One of the key things that we do every year is to ask our communities what they want from us.
"It keeps it fresh, makes it challenging, and keeps us inspired to deliver what the people want, whilst also exceeding expectations too."
2025 is said to be a particularly poignant year for Manchester Pride.
Mark added: "Knowing some of the struggles being faced by other Pride organisations at home and around the world, the challenges that we face, it's so important that our communities show up for Pride this year.
"We're creating these events, so use them.
"If not, the future really isn't certain: the challenges organisations like ours are facing really are plentiful.
"And the Pride moment is facing some serious headwinds at the moment.
"The rollbacks on legislation across Europe, and the increases in hate crimes... there's not this homogenous community internationally where everyone has the same levels of rights and freedoms.
"What we try to do is make sure that we're equitable in our approaches, to ensure that those facing the toughest challenges and the biggest threats right now feel supported by what we do - and that's really important to us.
"Our trans siblings have got it really hard at the moment, and we really do need to stand behind them this year, and show our love for them.
"There are more challenges to come, too.
"We're seeing DEI initiatives rolled-back in companies and organisations across the country.
"That funding of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is being withdrawn from Pride events like ours - which again, places the kinds of things which we do at a real risk."
The line-up!
What would Manchester Pride be without a stellar line-up?
In a shock last-minute announcement, it was only a week ago when it was confirmed pop superstar Nelly Furtado will be taking to the stage at the new area - Mardi Gras - on Sunday, closing the whole thing off over at the Depot Mayfield, which promises to be one of the 'All Good Things' happening across the city this year.
CEO Mark Fletcher described just how it all went down: "The conversation with these amazing artists always start with asking if they know who we are, what we do, and what we stand for.
"From that point, it starts to unlock the door.
"With Nelly Furtado, we've really worked hard to try and pull this one off, and we are absolutely thrilled!
"I know we've announced it quite late - but it just goes to show that these things really do take a lot of time to organise!"
Other headliners include Little Mix's Leigh-Anne, the legendary actor and singer Billy Porter, and Years & Years star Olly Alexander.
We're also being promised performances from Tulisa, Big Freeda, Sonique, Jodie Harsh, Louisa Johnson, and 90s icons Booty Luv.
Over at the Gay Village Party, it's B*Witched, Sister Sledge, Diana Vickers and Danny Beard wowing the crowds near Canal Street.
It's being promised as Pride... but like you’ve never seen before.
Mark added: "I'm feeling so much glee just talking about it.
"To think about Mardi Gras - they are the shows that we are creating here on top of the stellar line-up that we've got.
"Highlighting queer artists from Manchester and the North West alongside people from around the world, who are all descending on the city... there really is a lot to be excited for!"
At the end of it all, when the final drinks have flowed, and the last notes have been sung, we turn to Bank Holiday Monday.
Like every year, this year's Pride will be no different when it concludes with the Candlelit Vigil.
It's a special occasion, honouring the lives lost to HIV, whilst it's also used as a show of solidarity to those who live healthy lives, thanks to medical breakthroughs over the years - including the use of PrEP.
The culmination of the whole event beautifully closes with a moment of reflection in Sackville Gardens marked by a sea of flickering candles - and is a spectacle worth sticking around for.
It serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ communities, both in the UK and around the world.
Isobel Stainsbury from the team told us: "Every year, Manchester Pride book-ends the whole thing with the rally on Friday night and the Candlelit Vigil on Monday evening.
"It's vital that we take this space to remember that Pride is a protest, and also that we take that moment of reflection to remember those who we have lost.
"Pride is more important now than ever.
"We are seeing cutbacks to rights internationally, and cutbacks to funding for LGBTQ+ events, and we are seeing blatant bans on queer identities.
"We need everyone right now to stand up - and show up - for Pride."
You can find out plenty more about this year's Manchester Pride over on their website.