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EuroPride

The ten day lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender festival programme is promising something for everyone with sport, art and entertainment, film, campaigning and debating events.

The whole festival kicks off with “Manchester Comes Out” weekend (15 – 17 August) and the final “Big Weekend” (22 – 25 August).

The main event this year is the Big Weekend, which is an all ticket event - and we're told that they're selling fast. You can currently purchase a ticket for the weekend for £10.00 for the four days (with funds going to HIV and LGBT organisations through Operation Fundraiser - the aim to raise £300,000 for charities is on target). From 15 August, the cost of the four day ticket increases to £15.00.

EuroPride

This year's EuroPride Parade takes place on Saturday 23 August and there will be over 50 floats. In excess of 50 entries will take part in the most colourful gay parade the city has ever seen.

More than 80 events are featured in this year's ten-day programme. Highlights include “Manchester Comes Out”, the free first weekend of entertainment for adults and children when the city welcomes visitors from around the world to UK’s most gay-friendly city. A one day conference “Renewing the Agenda for Equality for Lesbians and Gay Men” that takes place in the Town Hall on Friday 22 August. George House Trust is organising a public meeting on Wednesday 20 August in Bar Risa on Canal Street entitled “HIV Still Matters”.

The 3rd Manchester Gay and Lesbian Film Festival starts on Friday 15 August at the Filmworks with a full programme of LGBT films showing throughout the ten days.

The EuroPride Arena

The two Official EuroPride parties are held on Saturday 23 August and Sunday 24 August. The first will be the largest gay dance night ever held in the UK with 10,000 tickets on sale to the Arena Dance Party at the MEN Arena. Girls Aloud and Atomic Kitten headline the programme.

On Sunday, HUGE is held in the Printworks and tickets for the events can be bought over the EuroPride website or through Ticketmaster outlets. “Out in the Past” is a heritage trail which unveils stories from the city’s pink past, when being a homosexual was punishable by law. The daily tour starts at 5 pm, is free and must be booked by e-mail to info@europridemanchester2003.com or by telephoning 0161 238 4575.