Trafford Pride announces programme of events and activities for 2024

Pride in Trafford is back in May to celebrate queer arts and creativity.

Based in and around Waterside, its leading arts venue in Sale, this annual exploration and celebration of LGBTQ+ arts is specially curated with a range of performances, events and moments of reflection, with a very special Block Party Weekender to close the proceedings.

The chief executive of Trafford Council will officially declare the opening of Pride in Trafford 2024 by raising the Pride flag alongside local school children who will perform songs to unify and celebrate diversity.

The Queer Creatives Assembly on Wednesday evening is a free event open to all with artistic passions and talents who wish to connect, collaborate, and celebrate with other LGBTQ+ creatives from Greater Manchester. Expect vibrant conversations, meaningful connections, and a chance to network and hear from queer artists and makers supported through Creative Industries Trafford.

New works

Alongside this is an opportunity to watch four brand new works by LGBTQ+ artists in Greater Manchester in partnership with Greater Manchester LGBTQ+ Arts & Culture Network, delivered by LGBT Foundation.

Susan Kerr’s We See Each Other Better with Our Eyes Closed explores being an older black lesbian in the queer community and love in all its messy complexity.

Trans artist and drag king Hunter Millington explores themes of dysphoria, joy and discovering your authentic self in their new campy country musical for trans equality. They will be joined by Laurie Williams and Reece Bennett,  the most recent recipients of the Pride Stages bursary.

Pride in Trafford also offers a much-needed outlet for the younger members of the LGBTQ+ community and will once again join with local groups Gorse Hill Studios and Rainbow Reflections to present a fun and free special creative, hands-on Pride evening for young people in Trafford on Wednesday 15 May.

Comedy night

On Thursday 16 May there is a welcome return for the ever-popular Laugh Riot Comedy Night for Pride in Trafford. Expect an evening of the very best in alternative comedy featuring a fabulous and funny line up of LGBTQ+ comics: multi-award nominated comedian, presenter, actor and writer Stephen Bailey, whose indecorous brand of gossipy humour has singled him out as one of the UK’s most sought-after talents; comic and improviser Kate McCabe; and Jonathan Mayor, a huge cult figure in comedy, with award winning writer and stand up and TV and radio regular Katie Mulgrew as MC.

Brand new for 2024, Pride in Trafford presents its Block Party Weekender, a two-day event celebrating inclusivity and unity with live performances, dazzling cabaret, talks, family activities, comedy and more and running across Friday 17 and Saturday 18 May. Waterside’s vibrant theatre space will be transformed into a ballroom hosting artists such as The Cocoa Butter Club, Bongo’s Bingo Festival Experience, DJs and cabaret.

The Friday Block Party features The Cocoa Butter Club, a high-octane, award winning, jaw-dropping, cabaret collective. Making a triumphant return to Pride in Trafford following tours in Barcelona and Amsterdam, The Cocoa Butter Club celebrate the talents and undeniable charisma of BIPOC performers. Led by the esteemed and trailblazing Sadie Sinner, founder of The Cocoa Butter Club, audiences can enjoy an unforgettable evening bursting with drag, dance, burlesque, music and more.

The Block Party for Families on Saturday 18 May features a number of free, fun and fabulous outdoor events for all ages on Waterside Plaza. Bringing a bit of glitz and glamour to kick start the day, is a Ghetto Fabulous Catwalk Extravaganza fusing vogue, dance, fashion and lip sync. There will also be a free, drop-in workshop 15 mins before the show for all those who want to learn how to strut their stuff like a pro.

Village on the Plaza

The Village on the Plaza will showcase a variety of stalls offering a chance to connect with and find out more from community groups, charities and organisations. And the brilliant Curious Arts will again take over Sale Library for Mini Pride, a joyous celebration of individuality and creativity with participatory, fun activities from colourful arts and crafts to inclusive storytimes.

Saturday night’s Block Party features the award-winning and much-loved Bongo’s Bingo Festival Experience with their unique and fast-paced evening of fun, dancing, tunes, audience interaction and iconic prizes, but with a twist – it’s Bongo’s but without the bingo.

Alongside the main events, both Block Party evenings will feature DJ sets and live acts as well as an ambient chill out area.

“I’m really excited for this year’s Pride in Trafford,” said Darren Adams, producer for Pride in Trafford and manager of Waterside.

“The festival champions LGBTQ+ arts as a powerful vehicle for expression, representation, and social change. Through our celebration, we not only showcase the incredible talent within our community but also create a platform where LGBTQ+ voices can be heard, and celebrated, and our communities’ stories can be shared.”

Buy tickets

Pride in Trafford runs from Wednesday 15 May until Saturday 18 May 2024. Tickets are now on sale here

Pride in Trafford is part-funded by the city-region’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which is being managed and distributed by Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA).