Manchester Pride has announced the line-up for its beloved Gay Village Party which will take place over the August bank holiday weekend.

This year’s headline acts include Brazilian drag icon Pabllo Vittar, Scissor Sisters frontman Jake Shears and Drag Race UK winner Danny Beard.

Takeovers include the Queer Asian Takeover, Trans Filth & Joy, Black Pride MCR and the Queer Women’s Takeover.

The Gay Village Party boasts its most diverse and representative line-up to date, as 96% of performers are queer, 54% are women, 51% are people of colour and 42% are from trans and non-binary communities, according to Manchester Pride.

It was co-created with local activities and performers to ensure the celebrations reflected the diversity of both Manchester and the LGBTQ+ community.

READ MORE: Manchester Pride: 5 of the campest moments from 2022’s celebrations

“We have worked closely with our communities to offer a line-up that is for the community, by the community,” said Mark Fletcher, CEO of Manchester Pride.

“As a world leading city and an organisation that is spearheading the global Pride movement, our aim is to provide a platform which elevates and showcases local queer performers alongside renowned international LGBTQ+ talent, with a little support from our allies. This is Manchester and this is how our communities want us to celebrate our Pride.”

“Significant” changes have been made to Manchester Pride

Last year’s Manchester Pride marked the first time that the event took place since “significant” changes were made to the organisation following a six-month review.

This came after backlash from members of the LGBTQ+ community who felt that the city’s Pride was becoming too commercialised.

READ MORE: Manchester Pride 2023: How to get tickets for this year’s event

As part of the changes, MCR Pride Live, which has seen stars like Ariana Grande and Olly Alexander perform, did not go ahead as part of a wider effort to “refocus its efforts back onto its activist roots”.

Manchester Pride 2023 will take place from 25 to 28 August and all events are free to attend, with the exception of the Gay Village Party.