Don't fancy Manchester Pride 2019? Here are all the alternative pride events across Greater Manchester

We all know about The Manchester Pride Big Weekend festival - but did you know there are other events in the area where you can celebrate pride?

Away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre’s Gay Village, other boroughs across Greater Manchester are donning their best rainbow stripes to mark the annual event.

From parades, to music, dance, inclusivity awareness events and everything in between, pride has become a staple for both the LGBT+ community and their supporters.

Here are some of the best alternative pride events across Greater Manchester.

Bolton

Bolton Pride has grown into an impressive event since its first in 2015 when Hollywood actor Sir Ian McKellen visited the town he grew up in to launch proceedings.

Organised by James Edgington, this year’s pride weekend will take place on September 20-22, and event organisers are planning for a special line-up.

While no official plans have been released yet, the pride team recently revealed a collaboration with Bolton Wanderers Community Trust to deliver hate crime awareness training after being awarded a grant.

The six month awareness programme, put together by the two organisations who will be working with youth groups around the borough, will aim to raise the awareness of hate crime with a focus on LGBT+ issues across Bolton.

The programme will also be asking the groups involved to create and submit design ideas inspired by the subject, with a view to one being chosen to produce a hate crime awareness flag as a legacy that can be flown in support of organisations tackling the issue.

James said: “With it being so common in our communities, having a symbol that defines hate crime awareness is not only important - but necessary.

“Being able to create this in Bolton and offer it to the Greater Manchester family is something that we can be proud of.”

Organisers are also looking for nominations for people or organisations developing hate crime awareness initiatives ahead of the Bolton Pride Diversity Awards on May 26.

And - you heard it here first - Sir Ian McKellen is back as guest of honour.

Bolton Pride 2019 will take place on September 20-22.

Find out more here.

Stockport

Representing the south side of Greater Manchester, Stockport is gearing up for another successful pride event in 2019.

Launching in 2017, Stockport Pride has grown from a small group of 13 volunteers and 15 food and drink stalls to last year when it almost doubled in size and introduced its first parade.

Now in its third year, organisers hope to grow the event and make it as accessible as possible to anyone who wants to take part.

Organiser Stephen Bowyer said: “As well as being a day of free entertainment, Stockport Pride 2019 will contain lots of information for the local community - promoting diversity, equality and inclusion.

“We're currently busy planning this year's event and we're hoping to raise more funds to spend on performers on the day.”

Stockport Pride will take place on Sunday, July 28.

To find out more visit here.

Trafford and Rochdale

Trafford Pride is now in its second year and is part of a network of local events marking the LGBT celebration.

As well as Trafford, organisers are also responsible for Wythenshawe Pride, which is in its third year, and supported Stockport Pride two years ago and Levenshulme Pride in 2018.

Festival organiser David Farley said: “This year Trafford Pride has been handed over to a member of the team at Altrincham Festival Show, which it was part of in its inaugural year two years ago.

“We are aiming for Trafford Pride to be on Saturday, July 6, while Wythenshawe's is booked for Saturday August 17. This is currently booked for Royal Oak Community Centre.”

The network was established back in 2016/17 to promote and signpost to services available to LGBT+ people.

They also aim to launch the first Rochdale Pride event on May 25 this year, Making it the final borough in the Greater Manchester region to have a dedicated LGBT+ acceptance event.

Coronation Street legend Julie Goodyear, aka Bet Lynch, who lives in Heywood, sent her best wishes to the team.

"it is a very admirable thing that you are doing for the LGBT community and I know you will have a wonderful day," she said.

David added: “We get lots of different enquiries and are constantly surprised that people don't know what help is available to them and that some of the existing providers reject and fail them.

“The local prides allow a platform for organisations to gain insight into need and individuals to become aware of the services.”

Trafford Pride will provisionally take place on Saturday, July 6.

To find out more about Trafford Pride, visit here.

To find out more about Rochdale Pride, visit here.

Wigan

This year’s Wigan Pride will be held on Saturday, August 10 and will mark 50 years since the Stonewall Riots.

The theme revolves round celebrating the journey that the LGBT+ community has been on and milestone events that have occurred in between.

Now in its fourth year, the event is put together by members of Wigan Council, Wigan Borough CCG, The LGBT Foundation, local residents and others.

With a town centre parade starting at 11am, market stalls, main stage and intimate smaller stage for upcoming artists, the event this year promises to be bigger and better than ever.

It is completely free to everyone who attends and is both family and autism friendly.

Organisers have worked with Wigan's Autism Friends and thanks to feedback from visitors, they have added a well-attended quiet zone where people can watch the event through a live feed without the discomfort of being in a large crowd or busy area.

Vice chair of the committee and spokesperson for the event Daniel Bonney said: "We couldn’t put on this fantastic event each year without the fantastic support from the Wigan Borough Community, our amazing partners and the local businesses and organisations that support us each year.

“We are happy to announce our fourth Wigan Pride event in August and it's theming around the Stonewall Riots reminding us what pride is really all about.

“Fifty years ago we wouldn't have been able to do this every year and celebrate the amazing LGBT community we have in the borough so I feel it is really important we look back and remember the journey of activism that has happened and those who fought for the rights that we have today."

Wigan Pride 2019 will take place on Saturday, August 10.

For more information visit here.

Bury

You may think that Manchester’s Big Weekend event has all the top acts performing, but this year Bury Pride has an impressive headliner.

They will be welcoming none other than 90s pop sensation S Club. And remember, there ain’t no party… etc.

It’s a far cry from Bury Pride’s first small event eight years ago under the name Walking Rainbow, organised by the town’s LGBT youth group, POG.

It saw 100 young people walking around Bury town centre, ending near to the Millgate shopping centre.

Fast forward to 2017, it was rebranded to pride and has since grown from a small event at the Elizabethan Suite to a two-day weekend featuring two stages, the Rainbow Train with East Lancashire Railway, and the Walking Rainbow in homage to the original event.

Other family-friendly elements to the 2019 weekend two stages featuring music, comedy, dance and entertainment, a huge variety of food and drink, and exhibitions from Bury Art Gallery.

The outdoor stage will be hosted by the one and only Miss Sal Ford and Tower FM. Featuring Vicky Jackson as Pink plus performances throughout the day from Freak Dance, the Gay Gordon’s, Manchester Lesbian and Gay Chorus, and many more.

Organiser David Catterall said: “This year's Bury Pride festival is an important occasion that brings people out onto the streets, celebrating equality and diversity together. It’s great fun to rejoice in Bury's warm and welcoming community.

“As the lead organiser, I think the smaller prides outside Manchester are important for the community to spread the message of inclusivity, equality and to show that our towns have a huge amount of diversity which contributes to a town and the wellbeing of its residents.

“It’s an opportunity for people to be exposed to the arts and entertainment for free, who wouldn’t usually be exposed to it.  I also allows people to access services more effectively to improve their lives.”

Bury Pride will take place on April 13 and 14 from 10am until 6pm.

To find out more visit here .

The M.E.N. also contacted Tameside Pride and Oldham Pride but did not receive a response.