Manchester Pride 2025: Good, But Not the Best (Honest Review)

Let's get straight to it: Manchester Pride is decent. It's probably the best pride in the UK outside London, and if you're based in the UK, it's worth attending at least once. But having attended pride events across the world, from São Paulo to Berlin, Manchester doesn't quite hit the same heights.

After living in Manchester city centre for over 12 years and with Alex working on Canal Street for years, we know this city inside out. These days, we live near the Cheshire and South Manchester border, and whilst we don't go out in the city as much anymore, when we do, it's still a good night. Manchester Pride is fine for what it is, but it's become increasingly commercial, and the organisers have a reputation for being a bit money-grabbing.

The Manchester Pride Parade: Our Experience

This year, Alex took part in the parade with his workplace whilst I watched with friends. We've been going for the last few years, but we only do the Saturday rather than committing to the full weekend. One day is enough.

The parade itself is massive and winds through the city centre with thousands of marchers and even more spectators. From Alex's perspective inside it, the energy is brilliant, the crowds are supportive, and there's genuine camaraderie amongst the groups marching. From my spot watching, the atmosphere is electric, and it's great to see so many businesses and community groups turning up.

However, let's be honest: it's long. Really long. Unless you're marching or have friends in specific groups, your attention will wander after about an hour. That's not a criticism, just reality. Treat it as background atmosphere rather than the main event.

The Gay Village: Manchester's Best Asset

Here's what Manchester gets right: it still has a proper Gay Village. Canal Street and the surrounding streets maintain much of their original identity, and that's genuinely unique in the UK. Most cities have seen their queer venues scattered or gentrified into oblivion.

Having a concentrated gay quarter makes a practical difference. You can move between venues easily without trekking across the city at 2am. It's safer, more convenient, and creates a sense of community that you just don't get when venues are spread out. Whether it's Pride weekend or any other weekend, the Gay Village is reliably good for a night out.

The area isn't perfect. It's definitely become more mainstream over the years, and some of the grit and edge has been smoothed over. But compared to most UK cities, Manchester has managed to preserve something valuable here.

Is Manchester Pride the Best in the UK?

For UK pride events? Yes, probably, if we're talking scale and infrastructure. Manchester Pride benefits from having a year-round queer scene rather than being a once-a-year pop-up event. The city knows how to handle large crowds, there's decent public transport, and the Gay Village provides a natural focal point.

But is it the best pride we've attended globally? Not even close.

Berlin Pride remains one of our favourites, though we're admittedly biased given our love for the city. The political edge, the sheer diversity of events, and the fact it feels rooted in activism rather than corporate sponsorship makes a huge difference. São Paulo Pride is on another level entirely in terms of scale and energy.

Manchester Pride has grown into something that tries to be everything to everyone, and in doing so, it's lost some of its edge. It's become expensive, heavily commercialised, and at times feels more like a music festival with a rainbow flag than a political statement.

The Commercial Reality: Let's Talk Money

Here's where Manchester Pride frustrates us. The event has become increasingly expensive, with the Big Weekend requiring paid tickets for access to Sackville Gardens and the main stages. The organisers have faced criticism over the years for lack of transparency about where the money goes and for creating barriers to access for the very community the event is supposed to celebrate.

Yes, events cost money to run. Yes, safety and infrastructure aren't cheap. But when a pride event starts feeling like a profit-making exercise rather than a community celebration, something's been lost along the way.

If you're planning to attend and want to save money, skip the paid Big Weekend events and focus on the free parade and the Gay Village venues. You'll get the atmosphere without the hefty ticket price.

Practical Tips for Manchester Pride 2025

Accommodation: Book early. Manchester gets packed during Pride weekend, and prices spike. If you're a regular traveller, this is where hotel loyalty schemes pay off. Having status with chains like Marriott, Hilton, or IHG can get you better rates, room upgrades, and late checkout when everywhere else is charging premium prices. The city centre is your best bet for convenience, with the Northern Quarter offering slightly cheaper options within walking distance.

Safety: Manchester is generally safe during Pride weekend. The high police presence and sheer number of people around means you're unlikely to encounter trouble, especially in the Gay Village. Standard city safety rules apply though: watch your belongings, don't leave drinks unattended, and stick with friends when moving between venues late at night.

One Day vs Full Weekend: Honestly? Do the Saturday. The parade happens Saturday afternoon, the atmosphere peaks Saturday evening, and you'll get the full experience without committing to an entire weekend or spending a fortune on Big Weekend tickets.

Getting Around: Manchester city centre is compact and walkable. The Gay Village is a 10-minute walk from Piccadilly Station. Trams and buses run frequently, though they're rammed during Pride. Uber and Bolt work fine, but expect surge pricing and longer waits during peak times.

How It Compares to Other Pride Events

We've been fortunate enough to attend pride events across Europe and beyond. Here's how Manchester stacks up:

Berlin Pride: More political, more diverse, less commercial. Berlin's queer scene is more integrated into everyday life rather than concentrated in one area, and the pride events reflect that. If you want activism with your partying, Berlin wins.

São Paulo Pride: Unmatched for scale. Millions attend, the energy is incredible, and it feels like a genuine citywide celebration rather than a ticketed event. But it's obviously a much bigger commitment to attend if you're UK-based. Read our São Paulo Pride guide for more.

Cape Town Pride: Smaller but beautifully integrated into the city's wider appeal. You can combine pride with wildlife, wine tours, and beach time. Check our Cape Town guide for ideas.

Manchester Pride is solid, accessible, and reliable. But if you're serious about pride tourism and want to experience something more authentic or political, there are better options out there.

Final Thoughts: Should You Visit Manchester Pride 2025?

If you're based in the UK and haven't done a proper pride event before, Manchester is a good starting point. It's accessible, relatively safe, and large enough to feel like a proper celebration. The Gay Village adds value beyond just the weekend itself, so you can make a proper trip out of it.

If you're travelling internationally specifically for pride, though, we'd probably point you elsewhere first. Manchester Pride is fine, but it's not exceptional. It's become too commercial, too expensive, and lost some of the community feel that made it special in the first place.

That said, we keep going back for the parade day, and we'll probably keep doing so. It's on our doorstep, it's still a good day out, and the Gay Village remains one of the UK's best queer spaces. Just go in with realistic expectations and don't expect it to change your life.

Over to You: We're always looking for recommendations for pride events worth attending. We've loved Berlin and São Paulo, but where should we visit next? Copenhagen? Madrid? Tel Aviv? Let us know in the comments which pride events you rate and why.

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Need somewhere to stay? If you're a regular traveller, hotel loyalty schemes can save you serious money during peak periods like Pride weekend. Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honours, and IHG One Rewards all have properties in Manchester city centre, and having status means better rates, upgrades, and flexibility when prices are sky-high everywhere else.