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Sparkle Weekend 2024

12th - 14th July 2024

​​The Sparkle Weekend is the original celebration of trans joy and gender diversity. The first celebration was in 2005, before charities such as Stonewall became trans-inclusive. Since then, the Sparkle Weekend has grown exponentially, attracting 20,000 visitors in 2019 (pre-Covid), and 13,000 visitors in 2023.

 

It is a family friendly festival-style event, featuring live entertainment, workshops, wellbeing activities, family and youth provision, sober spaces, market traders, food, drink, and much more! One of our charity’s core values is that the Sparkle Weekend remains free-to-attend, to be accessible for everyone.What can you expect at the Sparkle Weekend?

 

​Get ready for a jam-packed event with over 30 market stalls, showcasing everything from grassroots organisations, creatives, charities, to our sponsors.

 

The Sparkle Weekend features a vibrant array of zones, like the Wellbeing Zone, the Family & Youth Zone, the Sober Space, the Positivity Zone, the Marketplace, Food & Drink Zone, a Volunteering Hub, and a talent-filled Main Stage.

 

This year’s special events include the Trans Joy March, the Sensory Space, and the Sparkle Superstars Pageant.

 

Enjoy a whole weekend of talented performers on the Main Stage, who represent the beauty of diversity in gender.

Sparkle Mainstage​

Event Times:
Friday 6.00pm - 10.00pm

Saturday 12.00pm - 9.00pm

Sunday, 12.00pm - 8.00pm 

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An amazing line-up of gender diverse talent! We have a great selection of performers, hosts, comedians, singers, and musicians. We have everything from community acts to our headliners. You will also hear from some of our partners, sponsors, volunteers, and patrons!

FRIDAY LINE UP

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Hosted by: Red Redmond

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Philli me up

Tonya Knees

Jade Broadhead

DJ Justine

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SUNDAY LINEUP

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Hosted by: Finch Murphy, Husk & Vicki Lee

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Wellbeing Workout

Bonnie Wheelass

Snuggle Ninja

Gabby Smallz

Community Speakers

Kyle Finn

Eryl & Crystal

Sparkle Superstars Pageant

(Remember to Apply Online!)

Divina De Campo

Ding Frisby

Zee

Sparkle Weekend Closing Speeches

Alexa Vox

DJ Amanda​

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SATURDAY LINEUP​​

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Hosted by: Jonathan Mayor & Jack the Lad

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Leo Cole & mum

Morrigan Phantom Queen

Tacky Tarts

Beth

Phili me up

Husk

Jade Broadhead

Hallie Clarke

Ginny Lemon

Felix Mufti

Nate

Mena

That Clare

DJ Toni

Lucky Roy Singh presents: Queer Asian Cabaret

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Accessibility

One of our charity’s core values is that the Sparkle Weekend remains free to attend.

 

This is to ensure it remains to be accessible to everyone, regardless of gender identity, race, religion, or physical ability.

 

Some of our accessibility provisions include:

 

ear plugs available on request, BSL interpreter on the Main Stage, accessible toilets including baby change facilities, step-free site, plenty of seating including Accessible Seating, assistance dogs welcome. 

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If you have any worries email us

info@sparkle.org.uk

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Trans Joy March

​​​Event Time:

Saturday 11.45am - 12.30pm

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Shout loudly and proudly and bringing joy, visibility and power to the community. Join us on Saturday morning as we march round surrounding streets and reclaim our village!

 

This is a powerful view of trans visibility in our locality!

 

Our friends at LazyPins will be providing placards with community slogan, you can send your slogans into them via email lazypins@gmail.com, or you can bring your own to march with on the day!

 

Proudly sponsored by Coop’s Respect LGBTQ+ Network!

Family Zone​

Opening Times

Saturday 10.30am - 6.00pm

Sunday, 10.30am - 6.00pm

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An integral part of the Sparkle Weekend, providing a supportive environment for trans youth, in addition to the children and young people of trans parents and carers.

 

We have a vibrant and fun weekend jam-packed with children’s entertainment, arts and crafts, a play area, and funfair games! 

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Brilliant Bouncy Castles

Friendships and Family Fun are on the cards for a Fantastic Day!

Wellbeing Zone

​​Opening Times
Saturday 10.30am - 6.00pm
Sunday, 10.30am - 6.00pm

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We are proudly joined by NHS Manchester Foundation Trust and Harley Medical Group, in addition to Keri Blue who will be providing gender affirming haircuts.

 

We will be hosting a range of talks and workshops, including staying healthy when having surgery, gender affirming fitness, top surgery, self-care, sexual health, reiki, skin care and procedures, and nutrition. 

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Proudly Support by Harley Medical Group

Positivity Zone

Friday 6.00pm - 10.00pm

Saturday 10.30am - 6.00pm

Sunday, 10.30am - 6.00pm

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In collaboration with Manchester Queer Art Market, we are hosting a fantastic range of trans and queer artists. Come and buy some beautiful artwork, badges, clothing, gifts and decor, all while supporting local creatives! Here you will also find the Sparkle Merch Stall.

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We hope by giving these small traders a fantastic platform to thrive within their queer community, that they feel embraced and know their products and hitting the wider audience in and around our events!

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Proudly supported by Manchester Queer Art Market

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Sparkle Merchandise and Lazypins plus our Amazing Pop-Up Traders!
 

Friday

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transrebelcowboy

Sclera Centipede 

Matt David Art

Katouttahere

Sky Isabella

Curvycraftyqueer ​

AltArt​

Saturday

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Darling Aslan

Valkyrie Cain

Anxious Little Monsters 

Ben Saunders Art

CazDoesArtz

Sunset-Resin-Crafts

Amber Carter

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Sunday

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Creative Human Designs

PlutosTreasuress

Sea Sells

AJ’s Lens

Doodle Spook Shop

bittertats

Queer and Cute 

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Marketplace​

Opening Times

Saturday 10.30am - 6.00pm

Sunday, 10.30am - 6.00pm

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We are once again having a dedicated Marketplace along Sackville Street road closure. We have an incredible range of market stalls, showcasing everything from grassroots organisations, creatives, charities, to our sponsors.

 

Come and explore - learn about amazing trans & LGBTQ+ support services, and fabulous retailers, and organisations which support the trans community.

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Confirmed Traders:​

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TLC: Talk, Listen, Change - CRAP PRINTZ - Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Rainbow & CoCelebwigs - Gender Outreach Workers  

JUST A BALL GAME? - Loving Me - Switchboard LGBT+ Support Line

Environment Agency - Building Equality - Care Quality Commission

- Manchester Univerisity NHS Foundation Trust - The Proud Trust

- University and College Union (UCU) - Bi Pride UK - CJ Accessories

 PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide - Mermaids - LGBT Foundation

 NHS Business Services Authority - Network Rail - African Rainbow

Family - Unison North West - Manchester Pride - GMCA and GMFRS

Glitterbee Manchester  - Rebel Cakes - Manchester Parents Group QAVS Indigo - Co-op ​and Many Many More​​​​

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Food Zone​

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Opening Times

Friday 6.00pm - 10.00pm

Saturday 10.30am - 9.00pm

Sunday, 10.30am - 8.00pm 

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Foxy Food Co - an amazing local catering company, serving delicious vegetarian, vegan and gluten free meals! Offers tasty and delicious foods such as halloumi and the falafel is one not to miss!

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Piadina Pronto - serving amazing Italian street food, specialising in piadina, pasta, and arancini. Some of the best street food around, having traded with us for the last few years they are a firm favourite of sparkle guests!

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The Little Carnival Company - candy floss, popcorn and sweets!

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Fairfield Social Club Bar - our proud Community Partner Venue, FSC will be serving you drinks all weekend! You may have already tasted their delights in local brewery at our family event back at easter?

 

As part of our partnership they provide us with space to create sober events at Fairfield Social Club throughout the year!

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Sensory Mornings

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Opening Times

Saturday 10.30am - 12.00pm

Sunday 10.30am - 12.00pm

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We will be opening the Park earlier again this year for our Sensory Space. There will be no music on the Main Stage and reduced numbers of visitors. Join us for a gentle morning workout, browse our Marketplace, and join wellbeing activities.

Sparkle Superstars

Event Time:
Sunday 3.00pm - 4.00pm

 

A staple of The Sparkle Weekend, The Sparkle Superstars Pageant remains one of the most favoured events across the three day festival.

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Formerly known as Miss and Miss Golden Sparkle, we have made the event modern in its approach to involve our whole audience and Celebrating gender across the spectrum, the pageant is a fun competition focused on breaking down the gender binaries.

 

Whether you're a Miss, Mr, or Mx, everyone can enter The Sparkle Superstars Pageant. 

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DECA:Dance

The Official Sparkle Weekend Club Night!  
Location: Gorilla, Manchester, M1 5WW
Day: Saturday 13th July
Opening Time: doors open at 11pm. Party until 4am!
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We now have FREE tickets available, with the option to donate on Eventbrite or at the Event! DJ Sets by: Kim Lana, ATALAYA, DJ Justine, and Mena der Fuchs. Performances by: Felix Mufti, Coco de Ville, Guttersl*t, and Finley Odin.Come and party from 11pm until 4am on Saturday 13th July, to celebrate life, love and diversity 
Be yourself, come as you are. This is your space, your party, your night! 

"I have always attended Pride Events across the country, but this was my 1st time at a Sparkle Weekend. The Love is thick in the air, this is inspirational"

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