The Pride of Manchester
Manchester will be painted red as Manchester Pride takes over the city centre for 11 days to celebrate the city's vibrant lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Eighteen years ago the Pride was a small collection of stalls on the street, with a small parade in Canal Street... now the event takes in the whole of the city centre, with 250,000 people coming to see it.
The first week of Pride is a low-key event but it's probably fair to say the event really kicks into action on the Big Weekend. From Friday, August 22, you will require a wristband to enter the Gay Village. Tickets are available from most outlets in Canal Street or from manchesterpride.com.
CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE OFFICIAL PRIDE WEBSITE
There will be dozens of clubbing options for those who love to dance and strut, while there will be dozens of pop acts throughout the weekend including Mutya Buena, formerly of the Sugababes, Tina Cousins, Natasha Hamilton and DJs from Space in Ibiza for Essentials party nights.
As well as dozens of events at Manchester University Students' Union, the Ritz, Vanilla and Bar Rogue, there's loads of action inside the Village. The main stage will have performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Alphabeat, Four Poofs And A Piano, Client, new hotly-tipped boyband Avenue, and many more.
Cabaret and performance will take place in Sackville Park and there is plenty of browsing to be done round the markets or at the Lifestyle Expo.
The event will climax with a Candlelit Vigil and a performance from Heather Small.
Manchester Pride runs until Bank Holiday Monday, August 25 in venues throughout the Gay Village and across the city.