Manchester Pride Festival reveals new indoor location for 2019 following departure from gay village
The Big Weekend is no more - long live Manchester Pride Live.
By Will Stroude
Words: Will Stroude
Manchester Pride organisers have revealed the new location of the city’s annual Pride festival after the event was forced to move from the city’s gay village due to local property development.
The live music festival, formerly known as The Big Weekend, has been rebranded as Manchester Pride Live and will take place at Mayfield, a disused railway depot and indoor venue close to Manchester Piccadilly Station and about a 10-minute walk away from the event’s former home in Sackvill Street.
Manchester Pride Live at Mayfield will take place over Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 August, with the ticket-only music festival promising “world class acts” and 30 artists across two stages.
Image: Manchester Pride
Organisers insist that despite the change, Manchester’s gay village will remain “at the heart” of the celebrations, and say the annual street party on Canal Street and surrounding area will continue in the form of the ‘Gay Village Gathering’.
“With community performances in Sackville Gardens, plus markets and parties across the village’s venues, it will continue to be home to the hub of the festival’s LGBT+ celebrations,” a statement reads.
Image: Manchester Pride
Events including the Candlelit Vigil, Youth Pride MCR and the alcohol-free Superbia Weekend will also return in 2019, offering ways to celebrate for LGBT+ people and allies of all ages and interests.
Mark Fletcher, chief executive for Manchester Pride, said: “Manchester Pride Live will be one of the most innovative projects that we have delivered to date and our intention is to make it a world leading celebration of LGBT+ life.
“The venue, much like us, is part of the foundations of our city and will provide a spectacular backdrop to what will be a uniquely inclusive experience where the LGBT+ people of Manchester can truly celebrate their culture in a safe and welcoming environment.
“The Mayfield Partnership is the perfect partner for Manchester Pride. Its commitment to creating an accessible and inclusive new neighbourhood in the city and the values it espouses are in perfect synergy with everything we hold close as an LGBT+ campaigning charity. We are excited to deliver great things together.”
Tickets for Manchester Pride Live are set to go on sale on 31 January and you can pre-register here.