Be who you are and celebrate yourself at Manchester Pride. From the lively parade to an abundance of fun entertainment, this is an event you don’t want to miss. Arrive at Manchester Pride stress-free when you travel with Avanti West Coast trains.
How to get to Manchester Pride by train
With its central location, it’s easy to travel on Avanti West Coast trains to Manchester Pride. We offer routes from major UK rail stations through to Manchester Piccadilly. Use our journey planner to choose the best route for your trip.
The parade itself starts at the junction between Liverpool Road and Deansgate which is accessible on foot within half an hour. Alternatively, you can hop on a Manchester tram to be there in around 15 minutes.
If you want to immerse yourself in the celebrations from one spot, Manchester Piccadilly is just 10 minutes from the Gay Village. It’s here, where events like the Gay Village Party take place.
Live Proud
Avanti West Coast is dedicated to diversity and inclusion. We believe that pride is more than just an annual celebration and we encourage all our colleagues, customers, and communities to be inclusive.
We have worked with the LGBTQ+ community and our Inclusion Council to establish Live Proud. This initiative is ingrained into everyday life here at Avanti, enabling us to work with our people to deliver an inclusion that is meaningful for everyone.
In line with this, we’re excited that Avanti staff will be joining the Manchester Pride Parade in 2023, walking beside our LGBTQ+ friends and showing how we #LiveProud.
What to do at Manchester Pride
Manchester Pride offers a packed programme of events. There are so many things to see and do, whether you’re travelling alone, with friends, or you’re bringing the family along.
If you’re looking to visit in 2023, the Manchester Pride Festival 2023 will be in the heart of Manchester City Centre from the 25th to the 28th of August.
There are many free events spread across Manchester Pride Weekend, as well as some paid events.
Alongside the main parade march, you can get involved in the infamous Gay Village Party. This is a ticketed event that includes performances from some of the biggest names in the LGBTQ+ community.
Gay Village Party tickets are available from Manchester Pride, and you get a lot for your money. One Gay Village Party ticket includes everything you need for a fun day or weekend here.
Plus, every sale includes a donation to the Manchester Pride Community Fund, which supports LGBTQ+ causes and projects in Greater Manchester.
If you’re visiting and want to get involved in some free events, you’ve got Superbia and its arts and leisure programme. Or, take the kids along to Family Pride and get involved with the activities there.
To close Manchester Pride each year, the Candlelit Vigil is held in Sackville Gardens. This free event offers a moment of reflection for people lost to HIV and gives everyone a chance to stand together against the discrimination and stigma still faced by LGBTQ+ people today.
Whatever you choose to do, you can be sure that Manchester Pride delivers a fun time.
About Manchester Pride
Manchester Pride is a celebration of queer people, culture and expression. It also has a charity arm, campaigning for inclusiveness and equality throughout Greater Manchester and beyond. It has been running for over 50 years and continues to strive for improvements to the lives of LGBTQ+ people.
The Pride Festival defines itself as a ‘party as protest’ and is part of the largest LGBTQ+ liberation movement in the world. The Manchester Pride Parade is Manchester’s biggest parade, with tens of thousands of people attending every year to celebrate and stand with the LGBTQ+ community.
Ways to save on your train ticket to Manchester Pride
There are several ways to save on your train ticket to Manchester Pride with Avanti West Coast.
Booking in advance is the first way, with discounted tickets available for those who plan up to 12 weeks ahead. The earlier you schedule your journey, the more you can save.
Booking early means you also have more choice of seats, ensuring you are as comfortable as possible for your journey. If you choose off-peak tickets, you can save even more money and benefit from a quieter train on a busy August bank holiday weekend.
You can also save on your, your friends, or your family’s tickets with a Railcard. At Avanti West Coast, we have a variety of Railcards to choose from.
If you’re travelling in a group of up to four adults and four children, you should consider the Family and Friends Railcard. You could also choose the Two Together Railcard for you and a partner and save a third on your fares. Group train tickets are also a great way for you and your friends to attend Manchester Pride at a low cost.
Get the app
Download the Avanti West Coast app today to purchase tickets directly from Avanti at the lowest prices. Secure your seat, pay with your digital wallet, and save tickets to your phone for easy access.
The Avanti West Coast app makes travelling by train simpler than ever, with real-time train tracking and the ability to make changes when you need them. You can even cancel your ticket and get a refund in the app.
