Manchester claims world-famous football teams, a rich cultural heritage and one of the liveliest LGBTQIA+ communities in the UK. Centred around Canal Street, the city’s Gay Village caters for all tastes, from traditional pubs to intimate clubs. Explore our LGBTQIA+ guide to Manchester for the lowdown on the best neighbourhoods, hotels and events in the city.
August is when Manchester’s gay village plays host to one of the biggest dates in the LGBTQIA+ community’s calendar: Manchester Pride. This fantastic festival spans a number of events, such as Manchester Pride Live, Superbia Weekend, the Gay Village Party, Manchester Pride Parade, the Candlelit Vigil, Youth Pride MCR and Family Pride MCR. It’s also the first ever LGBTQIA+ event to be voted Best Large Festival at the UK Festival Awards 2022.
Britain’s transgender community comes together to celebrate and shine at Manchester’s Sparkle Weekend. This free-to-attend celebration of gender diversity welcomes all members of the transgender community as well as friends and families. Since the one-day inaugural event in 2005, it has expanded into a three-day schedule of culture, music, comedy, film, sport and debate. The party continues into the small hours at DecaDANCE, the official Sparkle Weekend club night.
Following its 2024 hibernation, the Great British Bear Bash returns to Manchester’s Gay Village in 2025 with a roaring schedule of social events including pub trails, brunches, cabaret shows, ‘beareoke’ and much more.
In the heart of the city’s Gay Village, Richmond Tea Rooms offers a luxurious, Alice in Wonderland-themed afternoon tea experience. Expect fabulous floral displays, an enchanted forest-themed room, a cosy Orangery and a selection of teas from around the world.
Manchester’s Sackville Gardens is home to a memorial celebrating the father of modern computing and World War II code breaking hero, Alan Turing, who carried out his world-defining studies in the city. Turing was an openly gay man who was convicted and punished in the 1950s for his sexuality, receiving an apology from the British Government in 2009 and posthumous royal pardon in 2013. Situated in a park between the University of Manchester and Canal Street, this sculpture is just one way that the city celebrates the achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community.
Keen party animals need look no further than Velvet Hotel. One of TripAdvisor’s top-ranked hotels in Manchester, it’s in the middle of the action. Its rooms, including penthouse suites, are individually decorated in an industrial boudoir style, with lavish king-size beds, chandeliers and exposed brick walls.
Dating from 1853, Free Trade Hall is a grand colonnaded building revamped as a Radisson Hotel. There are 258 rooms and suites, two restaurants – one of which is found in the relaxing bar, destination spa and oodles of contemporary glamour.
A former warehouse located moments from Canal Street, ABode is a four-star hotel that retains many original Victorian features but gives them a modern British twist. There are 61 bedrooms, the best being the Fabulous On Fifth suites – five loft-style suites featuring stylish décor including work by renowned artists such as David Hockney and Yoko Ono.
Manchester is situated in north-west England, circa 208 miles (335km) north of London. Trains from London Euston depart for Manchester roughly every 20 minutes and take around two-and-a-quarter hours. Manchester Airport is just over 30 minutes from the city centre and is served by flights from destinations including Australia, Europe and North America.
