Manchester Pride 2013

Since 2003, Manchester Pride has been a staple event within the LGBT as well as the wider Manchester community, and this year will be no exception. Manchester Pride 2013 has events throughout August which are split into four main elements:

Pride Fringe

A great event throughout the entire of August encompassing over 40 different art, music, culture, debate and sports events across the festival showcasing the best of Manchester talent and beyond.

The Big Weekend

Friday 23rd August - Monday 26th August

The Big Weekend plays host to The Big Weekend with over 70 hours of live music, across three stages. Set to be one of the highlights of the festival, previous performances include the likes of Pixie Lott, Mr Hudson, The Sugababes, Alexandra Burke, Kelis and Chicane. This year's event will play host to some great music acts such as Sam Sparro, Kate Nash, The Feeling, Patrick Wolf, Happy Mondays vocalist Rowetta, south London dance music duo Moto Blanco, Manchester band The Mend and XFactor finalists Lucy Spraggen, Misha B, Rylan Clark; and much more.

Manchester Pride The Big Weekend

Big Weekend at Manchester Pride 2013 will attract thousands of people with this year's stellar lineup

The Pride Parade

Saturday 24th August

Running through the heart of the city; a colourful vibrant celebration of LGBT life awaits you with this year's theme 'Acceptable in the 80s' helping to inspire floats based around a decade of iconic music, television and film as well as some horrific fashion choices! This year's theme will give scope to plenty of colourful and imaginative floats so don't miss out on this fabulously flamboyant event.

Candlelit Vigil

Monday 26th August

The culmination of the Big Weekend and the final element of Manchester Pride 2013 will be on Monday 26th August at 9.15pm in Sackville Gardens where the George House Trust Candlelit Vigil will take place as Sackville Gardens is turned into a sea of flickering candles as a minute is taken to remember those which have been lost to the HIV virus.

Manchester Pride 2013 Candlelit Vigil

Sackville Gardens turns into a sea of candles as Manchester Pride remembers those lost through the HIV virus

This year's Manchester Pride also has a number of bars, clubs and pubs taking part within the festivities as well as hosting after-parties in the run up to the main August Bank holiday weekend. For the recommended clubs, pubs and bars to visit throughout Manchester Pride 2013; don't forget to check out our list of the best including more great live music, cabaret acts and plenty of drinks deals throughout the weekend.