Manchester Pride 2025 didn’t just start, it exploded into life on Friday night. From the moment you stepped onto Canal Street, you could feel it: that electric pulse that only the Gay Village can deliver when the community comes together to celebrate unapologetically.
By sunset, the streets were heaving. Flags flew high, glitter shone brighter than the streetlights, and the soundtrack? Pure joy. Every bar spilled onto the pavements with its own outdoor stage, serving up fierce performances, killer DJ sets, and the kind of vibes that make you forget the world beyond those rainbow-lined streets.
And let’s talk about the fun fair. Where the Bloom Street car park usually sits quietly, Friday night transformed it into a carnival playground. The flashing lights of the rides lit up the sky, and the squeals from the waltzers mixed perfectly with the thumping bass from the nearby stages.
But the real showstopper? Sackville Gardens. Renamed the Alan Turing Stage for the weekend, it became the beating heart of Pride. And when Samantha Mumba stepped out? Pure nostalgia hit the crowd like a wave. Gotta Tell You had thousands of voices singing in unison, and when she dropped Baby Come On Over, it was official—Manchester Pride’s opening night had its defining moment.
Friday wasn’t just a party. It was a statement: Manchester Pride is back, bigger, and louder than ever. If this was night one, the rest of the weekend has a lot to live up to. And honestly? We’re so here for it.
