The city is packed with people and the party atmosphere is in full swing as the gates swing open to Manchester Pride Festival.
Although the main music stages at Mayfield Depot won’t open until tomorrow, the festivities have begun in earnest down in the Gay Village.
The area all around Canal Street is awash with rainbow flags, small pop-up bars and street food stands ready for the four-day-long celebration.
A key spot for the Gay Village Party is the Thomas Cook Airlines Stage at Sackville Gardens, where the likes of Lulu and Liberty X will be performing.
In the plot of land that previously held the main stage, now known as the Sackville Square Fair, a fairground has been installed, with dodgems and other rides to entertain the crowds.
Then on the ground level of the car park on the corner of Sackville Street and Bloom Street is the Indoor Arena Expo, where Pride-goers dance to their own beat in the silent disco.
Click or swipe through the gallery below to see the party get underway
The theme for this year’s festival is Deep Space Pride, and true to form New York New York has gone all out with the decorations. Half a DeLorean juts out from the brickwork and Tron-style signs are dotted in between the flags.
The celebrations will spill beyond the village tomorrow, as the Pride Parade weaves its way down Deansgate and Portland Street.
Until then though - happy Manchester Pride!
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