5 ways to get in the festival spirit and make the most of Manchester Pride this August Bank Holiday weekend

Manchester Pride is almost upon us and the city is set to be awash with rainbow coloured hues, multi-coloured outfits and lots of vibrant dancing queens as festival fever takes hold.

Yes, there is the parade, yes, there is the iconic Canal Street but there are also a host of other restaurants, bars, shops and living spaces flying the flag for Pride - from pop up photo booths, to charity make-overs to themed tapas and funky retro discos.

Here are five ways to have the most fun possible at Pride this weekend....

Canto

Ancoats’ Mediterranean tapas bar & restaurant, Canto, will be hosting a special edition ‘Drag Brunch Tipsy Tapas’ with the legendary queen, MissieJayCockshort.

Choose from three tapas dishes per person, with sexy small plates including spicy chorizo, roasted new potatoes and traditional Jamón croquetas - with your choice of unlimited prosecco, bellinis, sangria, house lager or house wine for 90 minutes for £38 per person.

With classic tunes, delicious food & bottomless bevs, plus MissieJayCockshort who will provide all the Pride vibes.

Sunday 27 August from 12.30pm – 5pm

Booking can be made here

Hard Rock Cafe Manchester

Hard Rock Cafe Manchester is hosting its own Pride photo booth.

The restaurant is once again joining the annual celebrations for Manchester’s Pride festival (Friday 25 - Monday 28 August) with fun activities, food and drink, and Pride-themed live music, to party with the city’s LGBTQ+ members and allies.

A classic ‘Pride playlist’ can be enjoyed over a bite to eat in the restaurant, and those who are taking part and joining in the festival will receive a discount on food and drink.

Customers can visit the on-site Rock Shop to explore its limited time only Pride merchandise, as well as the Pride-inspired Halsey merchandise, available until the beginning of September.

For more information and to book a table check here

Ducie Street Warehouse

Manchester’s creative and destination hub in the lively Northern Quarter, Ducie Street Warehouse, will host a five-day long ‘Freedom To Be’ Pride parties from Thursday 24 until Monday 28 August.

Located right next to Manchester Piccadilly Station and within walking distance from the bustling Canal Street, Ducie Street Warehouse will host all-day-to-night parties across the week, guests and locals alike can pick from an array of programming with something for everyone.

Among the events lined up are DJ sets and performances from the likes of Jodie Harsh and Mikey Slade, aswell as creative workshops, such as painting your own Pride banner with the Cork & Canvas folk.

Indulge in an all-day bloody Mary brunch while you’re there or a disco brunch on Saturday.

Ticket price starts from £25 and available to book here.

Manchester Arndale

A number of beauty stores at Manchester Arndale will be offering the ultimate Pride makeover so visitors can look and feel amazing for a weekend of Pride celebrations.

In return for a £2 donation to the Manchester Pride charity, beauty experts from Supercuts, The Body Shop and Boots will be out on the mall offering glitter face art, Pride-themed eye makeup, hair braiding, glitter beards and more. Shoppers can join the team at the makeup stations, get their makeover then snap and share a selfie in front of the Arndale’s giant PROUD letters.

The Pride makeovers will take place outside Lego from 12pm-7pm on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 August. To find out more, visit here.

Affinity Living

City-centre apartment brand Affinity Living are kicking off Manchester Pride celebrations early with a 70s themed charity disco, in collaboration with retro cake specialists Loaf MCR.

The charity disco will take place on Saturday 19 August from 6PM-10PM at Affinity Living Riverview, which will be transformed into a Boogie Wonderland for all of Manchester’s Dancing Queens.

The Affinity Living team will be pulling out all the stops for this groovy get-together, and for just £10 a ticket guests can enjoy cake and cocktails, old school games and funky tunes.

100% of the proceeds made will go towards supporting Manchester Pride and the city’s LGBTQ+ community, with plenty of epic raffle prizes to be won in return.

Tickets for general admission for the event can be found on Ticket Source.