Your April 2026 guide to Manchester’s LGBTQ+ sports—running, cycling, football, rugby, swimming and more—plus friendly Village spots to refuel.

April 2026: Join LGBTQ+ Sports in Manchester

An April 2026 Guide to Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Sports Leagues

Manchester

Classic bar food & a full drink menu, dancing, & live shows, in a buzzy space with colored lights.

Bar Pop

Basement Manchester is a sauna and bathhouse in Manchester. Located at Fourways House, 18 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FN, UK.

Basement Manchester

Easygoing coffeehouse providing snacks & sweet treats, along with brunch & cocktails.

Feel Good Club

Lesbian and gay bar and club with late licence, playing pop tunes until the early hours.

G-A-Y Manchester

Energetic bar with live performances, dancing & DJ shows alongside cocktails & hearty pub grub.

On Bar

Venue with fantastic decor, serving breakfast, afternoon tea, sandwiches, cakes and cocktails.

Richmond Tea Rooms

The Brewers, Manchester is a bar in Manchester. Located at 4 Canal St, Manchester M1 3HE, UK.

The Brewers, Manchester

Gay Village spot for tea, cocktails, Spanish/South American tapas and more, with a small verandah.

The Molly House

The REM Bar is a bar in Manchester. Located at 33 Sackville St, Manchester M1 3LZ, UK.

The REM Bar

Little bar in a repurposed Victorian public toilet offering a global beer selection & a jukebox.

The Temple

Stylish, vibrant lesbian bar with contemporary photographic art, plus DJs, club nights and events.

Vanilla

Relaxed, light-filled shop serving caffeinated drinks, baked goods & sweets in unfussy environs.

Chapter One Books

Gay Pride Shop is a shop in Manchester. Located at Second Floor, Afflecks 52 Church St, Manchester M4 1PW, UK.

Gay Pride Shop

Nip & Tipple is a bar in Manchester. Located at 197 Upper Chorlton Rd, Whalley Range, Manchester M16 0BH, UK.

Nip & Tipple

Plush, sophisticated rooms, plus a buzzing restaurant, a lively bar & free breakfast.

Velvet Hotel

Queer Lit

Festival Glitter is a shop in Manchester. Located at Afflecks, 52 Church Street, Manchester M4 1PW, UK.

Festival Glitter

FAGUE is a shop in Manchester. Located at 29 John Dalton St, Manchester M2 6FW, UK.

FAGUE

Manchester’s Canal Street is world-famous as the heart of its Gay Village, featuring bars, clubs, and history. Manchester Pride is one of Europe’s biggest, symbolizing the city’s legacy of activism, music, and unapologetic queer pride.

Revised session time from 12 noon to 2pm at Moss Side Leisure Centre.

Moss Side Leisure Centre

Session on 4th May 2026

Northern Cocks Badminton Club

Weekly virtual cycling event on Zwift for Rainbow Riders members.

Online (Zwift Worlds)

Zwift social ride

Rainbow Riders

A night of music and dance at Cruz 101 featuring the DJ collective Adire Nights.

Cruz 101

Adire Nights: MANCHESTER

Weekly badminton session at the National Cycling Centre.

Velodrome, National Cycling Centre

Wednesday Badminton Session

An away tennis match organized by Northern Aces, scheduled for May 7, 2026, from 18:00 to 22:00. The event involves confirming the location with the team captain. Ticket price is £10.00. Additional details and booking options are available on the Northern Aces Tennis website.

B Team Match (AWAY)

Thursday Badminton Session

Club night event featuring DJ sets and dancing.

Brewers Manchester

ATTITUDE

Join us every Friday at The Brewers Manchester for ATTITUDE, a lively club night featuring the best drink deals on Canal Street, drag performances by resident queens Kobrah & Imani Versace, and beats by DJ Forbid. The event runs from 22:00 to 04:00, offering a vibrant nightlife experience in Toronto.

A reggaeton and Latin hits event featuring a J Balvin tribute, with live dance shows, epic light shows, confetti drops, and various ticket options including VIP packages. The event is scheduled for Saturday, 9th May 2026, from 11:00 PM to 5:00 AM at Area Manchester, 50 Sackville St, Manchester. Minimum age is 18+, and tickets are non-refundable.

Area Manchester

VIVA Reggaeton Manchester - J Balvin Tribute

Join us for the official launch of Pride in Trafford 2026 at Waterside Plaza. The event features inspiring speeches, moving poetry, and uplifting songs performed by the Park Road Primary School choir. Celebrate love, visibility, and community as the Pride Flag is raised over Sale Town Hall. The event is free, lasts approximately 30 minutes, and is suitable for all ages.

Waterside Arts

Pride in Trafford Official Launch

HomoGrown is a lively celebration showcasing homegrown queer talent from Greater Manchester, featuring live music, cabaret, and comedy. The event highlights regional LGBTQ+ artists, from emerging talents to established local legends, and aims to celebrate queer creativity as part of the Pride in Trafford festival.

HomoGrown

HomoGrown is a lively celebration showcasing homegrown queer talent from Greater Manchester, featuring live music, cabaret, and comedy. The event highlights regional LGBTQ+ artists, including performances by Lauren Temple, Tom Wills, and Aisha Akram, and serves as a vibrant kick-off for the Pride in Trafford festival.

Gorse Hill Studios and The Proud Trust present Youth Pride 2026, a creative celebration led by young people across Trafford. The event focuses on youth voice, creativity, and self-expression, featuring interactive activities, collaborative art-making, and spaces for young people aged 13 to 19 to connect and celebrate Pride together. It is open to Trafford-based youth groups. The event will take place at Gorse Hill Studios, Cavendish Road, Stretford, on Wednesday, 13 May 2026, starting at 16:30, and will last approximately 2 hours. The event is free of charge.

Youth Pride 2026

Join the Adult Dance Class with Night People on May 13, 2026, at Waterside. This open-level dance session, guided by the Night People team, encourages participants of all abilities to move freely and express themselves. Expect a vibrant mix of contemporary dance, rhythmical choreography, improvisation, and music inspired by late-night dance floors. The class promotes celebration, pride, and community, aiming to energize and uplift attendees in a safe, inclusive environment. No experience is necessary; just bring your willingness to dance and have fun.

Adult Dance Class with Night People

A queer coming-of-age comedy set to a soundtrack of Y2K pop classics and indie anthems, 'Hasbian' explores Beth's journey from childhood dreams of Oz to adolescence obsessed with Cruel Intentions, and her evolving understanding of her sexuality. Featuring original animations inspired by teen magazines and a vivid portrayal of growing up queer in Brighton under Section 28 laws, the performance offers a mix of heartfelt earnestness, irony, and humor. Presented by Queer Diary CIC, the show includes projected captioning and audio description, and is suitable for audiences aged 16 and above.

Hasbian

An event where LGBTQ+ individuals share personal teenage diaries, love letters, fan-fiction, Tumblr posts, and poetry. The evening aims to evoke nostalgia, laughter, and heartfelt moments, providing a space for reflection and community connection. The event is open for attendees to share their own stories from youth, fostering a supportive and entertaining environment.

Queer Diary: Open Mic

Pride in Trafford is an annual celebration of LGBTQ+ arts and culture held in Trafford. The event features diverse artistic expressions, storytelling, and community activities aimed at promoting inclusivity, diversity, and social change. The festival includes various events such as family-focused activities, art showcases, and community gatherings, with a focus on creating a safe and welcoming environment for all attendees.

Waterside, Sale, Trafford

Pride in Trafford

Anna Zoe Quirke, a queer and autistic author, discusses their debut novel 'Something to be Proud Of' at Sale Library. The event includes a talk about their work focusing on mental health, disability, and LGBTQ+ topics. It is part of Pride in Trafford and is free with booking required.

Something to be Proud Of: Anna Zoe Quirke

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny is an award-winning, queer parody musical that combines Disney influences with Dolly Parton, set in Manchester’s gay village. Created by Hunter King, the show explores themes of gender identity and self-discovery through a lively, musical parody hoedown featuring epic parodies, dazzling vocals, and humorous puns. The story follows a milkmaid on a quest for authenticity, encountering a mysterious man with a moustache and secrets, leading to a humorous and heartfelt journey. The performance includes themes of gender dysphoria, bullying, strong language, and sensory effects like flashing lights and loud sounds. It is suitable for audiences aged 16 and over.

A Northern Tr*nny Hootenanny

Jonny Woo, a London-based alternative drag and cabaret artist, presents his acclaimed show 'Suburbia' at Pride in Trafford. The performance combines spoken word, storytelling, performance art, and rave, offering a poetic memoir of Woo's life from childhood in Kent to discovering ecstasy in the 1990s, exploring club scenes in New York, and building a queer community in London. Reflective and honest, Woo shares secrets and lessons learned, with a vibrant display of chiffon dresses, wigs, confessions, and fireworks. The show has previously played at Soho Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe, receiving critical praise and award nominations.

Jonny Woo: Suburbia

Single release of UR NOT MY MUM at the Victoria.

The Victoria

UR NOT MY MUM Single Release

Chuck SJ

A music single release event for "UR NOT MY MUM" at The Victoria.

Record label party of byenaryrecords, London’s first trans record label.

byenaryrecords Record Label Party

byenaryrecords

A party celebrating byenaryrecords, London's first trans record label.

Launch party for the first single ‘UR NOT MY MUM’ from the upcoming album. Merch will be available for collection.

Single Launch Party

A party celebrating the launch of a new music single with merchandise available.

Join LGBTQIA+ network Queer Arts North for an evening of discussion and networking, hosted by Festival Curator Darren Adams with a panel of special guests. The event provides an opportunity to meet leading LGBTQIA+ cultural organizations and festivals across the North, featuring a panel talk from 18:00 to 18:50, followed by a pitch session and networking from 19:00 to 20:00. Designed for queer creatives and companies based in the North, it offers a supportive environment to connect, share offers or requests, and broaden your creative community.

Queer Arts North: Open Forum

Award-winning Sanjay Lago presents an engaging show exploring love, identity, and self-discovery through a blend of personal stories, Bollywood influences, and humor. The performance delves into his experiences as a Gaysian man navigating romance and self-acceptance, offering a heartfelt and entertaining journey. The event is part of Pride in Trafford and is suitable for audiences aged 16 and above.

Love Me Like a Chai Tea Latte

A theatrical show exploring Spain’s traditional song form, copla, which historically contained coded queer themes and stories of longing under Franco’s censorship. The performance features English reworkings of classic coplas, engaging storytelling, and audience interaction, blending cabaret and reclamation to connect Spain’s past with contemporary queer experiences in the UK. Expect a bold, funny, tender, and subversive experience that celebrates queer culture and history.

Copla: A Spanish Cabaret

A screening of 'The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert' (1994), part of the Pride in Trafford 2026 festival. The film follows two drag queens and a transgender woman traveling across the Australian desert, encountering various characters and challenges. The event is scheduled at The Northern Light Cinema Stretford on May 15, 2026, starting at 20:20.

Priscilla - The Film

Join us every Friday at The Brewers Manchester for ATTITUDE, a lively club night featuring the best drink deals on Canal Street, drag performances by resident queens Kobrah & Imani Versace, and beats by DJ Forbid. The event runs from 22:00 to 04:00, and attendees can enjoy partying until early morning.

A screening of the film 'Departures' (2025), a drama exploring a toxic relationship with humor and raw emotion, inspired by real heartbreak. The film follows Benji and Jake as their relationship unfolds through trips to Amsterdam, revealing complex power dynamics. The event includes screenings at Waterside's Northern Light Cinema Sale and Stretford locations.

Departures - The Film

An art exhibition featuring Jenny Waterson’s work reflecting her experience as a mother of a young adult exploring gender identity. The exhibition explores evolving narratives of identity, belonging, and motherhood through transitional patterns and color sequences. It is part of Pride in Trafford and is open from May 9 to August 1, 2026, at Waterside Gallery '74 in Sale, Trafford.

Transitions in Thread

An exhibition documenting the act of planting pansies at sites of homophobic and transphobic abuse worldwide by artist Paul Harfleet. The project, founded in 2005, aims to confront hate crime and bring visibility to LGBTQ+ experiences through photographs of pansies planted at various locations globally. The exhibition showcases selected photographs highlighting LGBTQ+ community experiences locally in Manchester and globally. It is part of Pride in Trafford 12 – 17 May.

The Pansy Project

A Pride event taking place at Waterside in Trafford, featuring community celebrations, performances, and activities to celebrate LGBTQ+ pride.

The Village - Pride in Trafford

The Manchester Queer Art Market (MQAM) will take over the Ballroom at Waterside as part of Pride in Trafford. This vibrant, joyful, and proudly queer marketplace showcases LGBTQ+ creatives from across the North, offering a variety of arts and crafts including prints, ceramics, jewelry, textiles, and photography. The event runs from 12:00 to 17:00 on Saturday, May 16, 2026, and is free to attend. MQAM supports local LGBTQ+ artists by providing opportunities and a platform to share their work. The event is part of the Block Party '26 festival.

Manchester Queer Art Market

Join us for the Pride in Trafford Block Party, a full day of celebration, creativity, and community across Waterside Arts, Waterside Plaza, and Sale Library. The event features live performances, LGBTQ+ music, spoken word, community group stalls, the Manchester Queer Art Market, Mini Pride for families, Lip Sync Brawl competitions, Queer Diaries Zine Making, and a Drag King Workshop. Activities run from midday to 6:00 PM, with various performances and workshops scheduled throughout the day.

Block Party '26

A family-friendly event celebrating LGBTQ+ pride, featuring fun activities such as arts and crafts, inclusive story times, and a relaxed, welcoming environment for children and their families. The event takes place at Sale Library and is part of Pride in Trafford, running from 12:00 to 16:00 on May 16, 2026. It is presented by Curious Arts and is free to attend, suitable for all ages.

Mini Pride

A free event featuring a diverse program of performance, LGBTQ+ music, and spoken word artists on the Village Green, part of Pride in Trafford and the Block Party '26. The event takes place at Waterside Plaza in Sale, Trafford, from 12:00 to 18:00.

Village Green

Join the Queer Diary CIC team for an evening of nostalgia and creative expression. Participants will make their own queer zine using a stack of old teen magazines, designing the teen magazine they wish they had read, collaging their fantasy prom-night, or creating a fanzine for their first crush. The event encourages sitting and doodling with a friendly queer crowd to a throwback soundtrack of songs from participants' youth. Materials and instructions are provided, including old magazines to cut up and recycle into a personalized zine. This event is aimed at LGBTQIA+ adults, recommended for ages 18 and over.

Queer Diary: Zine Making

Join the Drag King Workshop led by international drag king artist Wolfy, founder of Canal Street Kings, as part of Pride in Trafford and Block Party '26. The workshop offers hands-on guidance in building a compelling king persona, including character development, physicality, stage presence, makeup techniques, and confidence building. Suitable for all levels, from drag-curious to theatre-trained, participants will explore creative expression in a supportive environment. The event aims to empower individuals to embrace their authentic selves and take up space unapologetically.

Drag King Workshop

Lip Sync Brawl is a lively competition merging the energy of a rock concert with theatrical variety show elements. Performers showcase charisma, costume creativity, and lip-syncing skills in front of an audience that acts as judges through cheers and applause, determining the winner. The event is part of Pride in Trafford and the Block Party '26 festival, offering an interactive and vibrant experience for all ages.

Lip Sync Brawl

A full-throttle Pride celebration organized by The Stretford Wives, created by two older lesbians to foster community and inclusivity. The event features dance, ska, reggae, and pop music with resident DJ Susan Kerr, guest DJ Sequinella, and live performances by GayLS and Saturday Night Divas. Attendees can enjoy a packed dancefloor, chill-out spaces, and a pre-event meet-up for solo visitors. The event aims to celebrate lesbian culture across generations and create safe, inclusive spaces for the lesbian community.

The Stretford Wives Club

An exhibition of portraits and interviews by photographer Steve Reeves, showcasing the personal histories of older members of the LGBTQ+ community with lived experience before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967. The project highlights the challenges faced, including risks of abuse, arrest, and prejudice, and aims to tell the stories of courageous individuals from that era. The exhibition is part of Pride in Trafford and is presented by Creative Industries Trafford, running from May 9 to August 1 at the Lauriston Gallery, Waterside, Sale.

Before We Were Proud

An exhibition featuring portraits and interviews by photographer Steve Reeves, showcasing the personal histories of older members of the LGBTQ+ community who experienced life before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1967. The project highlights the challenges faced, including risks of abuse, arrest, and prejudice, and aims to tell the stories of these courageous individuals. The exhibition is part of Pride in Trafford and is presented by Creative Industries Trafford, running from May 9 to August 1 at the Lauriston Gallery, Waterside, Sale, Trafford.

A full day of celebration, creativity and community at Waterside Arts.

Pride on the Plaza

An art exhibition by Jenny Waterson exploring themes of identity, belonging, and motherhood through transitional patterns and color sequences. The exhibit features her recent projects reflecting her experience as the mother of a young adult changing their gender identity. It is part of Pride in Trafford 12 – 17 May.

Unleash your inner king at Waterside Arts.

Create your own queer zine at Waterside Arts.

Australian cult road comedy film at Waterside Arts.

FILM: The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994)

A Pride takeover event at Waterside Arts.

Exploration of queer love, heartbreak, and self-destruction at Waterside Arts.

FILM: Departures

The B Team Match (HOME) is scheduled to take place on May 18, 2026, from 18:00 to 22:00 at the Manchester Tennis and Football Centre, located at 9 Sportcity Way, Etihad Campus, Manchester M11 3DU, UK. The event involves a tennis match with a fee of £10.00 per ticket. Participants are encouraged to RSVP and book their tickets online. For more details, visit the event page or contact the organizers.

Manchester Tennis and Football Centre

B Team Match (HOME)

Northern Aces Tennis Club

Extended swimming session at Moss Side Leisure Centre.

Tuesday open session - Extended Tuesday session

Northern Wave Swimming Club

Practice mindfulness techniques to enhance your daily life and promote inner peace.

May Mindfulness Session

A concert celebrating over 25 years of the Manchester Proud Chorus, featuring the chorus and friends performing a varied playlist of LGBTQ+ icons. The event takes place at Contact Theatre in Manchester, with no refunds issued. Attendees are advised that some songs may include occasional swearing. The concert begins at 7:30 PM on May 23, 2026.

Manchester Arndale

Legends, Divas & Dreamers

A weekend celebration of the local LGBT+ community with various events and activities.

Bolton Pride Event

Bolton Pride Weekend

Bolton Pride

Session on 25th May 2026

A comedy event hosted by Manchester Comedy Club featuring performances by Mandy McCarthy as MC, Charli Angel, AJ Rohan (TBC), and a headliner to be confirmed. The event takes place at Area Manchester, located at 50 Sackville St, Manchester M1 3WF, on Friday, 29th May 2026, from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm, with last entry at 7:30 pm. Minimum age for attendees is 18+. Tickets are available at various prices, including general admission and packages with drinks or jug of beer/wine.

Manchester Comedy Club Presents: AJ Rohan and Friends

Manchester Comedy Club

Join us every Friday at The Brewers Manchester for ATTITUDE, a lively club night featuring the best drink deals on Canal Street, drag performances by resident queens Kobrah & Imani Versace, and beats by DJ Forbid. The event runs from 22:00 to 04:00, and attendees can enjoy a vibrant party atmosphere until early morning.

The Northern Wave AGM is scheduled for May 30, 2026, from 16:30 to 18:00. Additional details about the event are not provided.

Sandbar

Northern Wave AGM

The main LGBTQ+ celebration event in Bury, featuring a parade, performances, and community activities.

Bury Pride 2026

Bury Pride 2026 is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 30 May 2026, outdoors on Knowsley Street, Bury, next to the Town Hall. The event will feature live entertainment, community stalls, a licensed bar, and activities suitable for all ages. It aims to celebrate diversity, promote equality, and foster a welcoming environment for LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, and the wider community. The event will also include a Pride Parade, performances, and live broadcasting by Roch Valley Radio. Participants and organizations are encouraged to apply to take part in various capacities.

Join us for a night of stand-up comedy at Area Manchester on Friday, 5th June 2026. The event features performances by Mandy McCarthy as MC, with comedians Charli Angel and others, delivering sharp wit and big laughs. The show runs from 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM, with last entry at 7:30 PM. Minimum age for attendees is 18+. Tickets are available at various prices, including general admission and packages with drinks.

FRIDAY NIGHT COMEDY! at Area Manchester

Join us every Friday at The Brewers Manchester for ATTITUDE, a club night featuring the best drink deals on Canal Street, drag performances by resident queens Kobrah & Imani Versace, and beats by DJ Forbid. The event runs from 22:00 to 04:00.

Join us every Friday at The Brewers Manchester for ATTITUDE, a lively club night featuring the best drink deals on Canal Street, drag performances by resident queens Kobrah & Imani Versace, and beats by DJ Forbid. The event starts at 22:00 and continues until 04:00, offering a vibrant nightlife experience in Toronto.

Salford's annual LGBTQ+ pride celebration returning to Peel Park on Saturday, June 13, 2026, featuring live performances, community activities, and inclusive festivities.

Peel Park, Salford

The Pink Picnic 2026

An event featuring Sly & The Family Drone, a neo-jazz noise ensemble from London known for improvisation and energetic performances, playing in the round to create an immersive experience. The night also includes performances by Prangers, a heavy metal project from Rochdale, and a DJ set by Sensory Leakage. The event takes place at The Globe in Glossop on June 26th from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM, with tickets costing £10 in advance or £12 on the door. Donations will be accepted for Glossopdale Foodbank, and the event emphasizes a safe space for trans people.

Glossop · The Globe

TBC#18 Sly and the Family Drone

The Black Circle

Celebration event with dinner, held at The Treehouse Hotel, Manchester, on Saturday, June 28th, 2025, starting at 7pm and continuing late.

The Treehouse Hotel, Manchester

25th Annual Dinner Celebration

Join us for a vibrant Pride event celebrating diversity and inclusion with performances, activities, and community engagement.

Pride Celebration

A vibrant celebration of LGBTQ+ pride featuring performances, community activities, and entertainment.

Pride in Trafford Festival

Join us for the annual Didsbury Pride Festival celebrating LGBTQ+ community with performances, entertainment, and community activities.

Didsbury Park, Manchester

Didsbury Pride Festival 2026

Hathersage Swimming Pool

Pool Party - Saturday, 4 Jul 2026

Annual Pride parade celebrating LGBTQ+ community with colorful floats, music, and festivities.

Didsbury Village, Manchester

Didsbury Pride Parade 2025

Join us for the annual Bury Pride Festival celebrating LGBTQ+ community with live performances, parades, and festivities.

Bury Pride Festival 2026

The Wigan Pride Festival is scheduled to take place on July 10, 2026, from 14:00 to 22:00. The event celebrates the LGBTQ+ community with a vibrant summer party featuring rainbow flags and community spirit. It is part of the annual pride celebrations in Wigan, aiming to promote inclusivity and diversity.

Queer City Guides for Manchester

An April 2026 Guide to Manchester’s LGBTQ+ Sports Leagues

Where Things Are Happening

Take Manchester's queer scene with you