Rainbow LGBT+ flag at Brighton Pride event, East Sussex
Not so grim up North this weekend (Picture: Getty)

It’s time to roll out the rainbow flag because it’s Pride in Manchester.

Members of the LGBTQ+ community, allies and Ariana Grande will all be celebrating this Bank Holiday weekend, in what’s sure to be a Pride to remember.

This year marks a bit of a change from Manchester Pride’s usual set-up though, with the headline acts performing away from the Gay Village at Mayfield Depot.

When is the Manchester Pride Parade?

The Pride Parade – the biggest event of the weekend attracting hundreds of thousands of people each year – starts around midday on Saturday, August 24.

The procession usually takes a couple of hours to reach its finish line, with people joining all along the way.

What is the Pride parade route and where should I watch it?

Following the same route as last year, the parade starts off along Deansgate from the junction with Liverpool Road, moving down Peter Street, past the Great Northern Warehouse and the Central Library onto Oxford Street, and then turning right onto Portland Street.

Lapping past the Gay Village, you can follow down Princess Street before the big finish at Fairfield Street.

Manchester Pride Parade 2019 route
Follow the fun (Source: Manchester Pride)

The best places to catch the action are at the corner of Deansgate, outside the Central Library and up and down Portland Street.

With action happening all across the city – including a new Youth Pride MCR event and the usual Gay Village goings-on – there’s not really a bad place to be, though.

Who’s on the Manchester pride line up for 2019?

Ariana Grande will be the grand dame of Manchester Pride 2019, with a headline set at the main stage’s new home at Mayfield Depot.

But her ponytail won’t be the only thing swishing around this weekend.

Joining her on the music stages are Years & Years, Emeli Sande, Kim Petras, Tulisa, Bananarama and Cheryl.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 19: Ariana Grande performs on stage during her "Sweetener World Tour" at The O2 Arena on August 19, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AG)
Grande dame of Manchester Pride (Picture: Getty Images)

The newly-announced cast of Rupaul’s Drag Race UK will also be sashaying their way through the throngs.

What’s the theme for Manchester Pride 2019?

Every Pride has a theme – and Manchester’s is Deep Space Pride: A Future World of Equality.

The theme commemorates the importance of this year’s pride – the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots – by remembering the past but looking forward, to a hopeful future.

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