Sparkle Weekend 2026
Friday 26th - Sunday 28th June
The Sparkle Weekend is the UK’s longest running celebration of trans lives, taking place from Friday 26th to Sunday 28th June in Sackville Gardens, Manchester. Our event is aimed at everyone who identifies as trans, non-binary and gender variant, and their friends, families and allies. All ages are welcome!
We want to bring together our gender variant community, to bring together joy, hope and celebration for the last weekend in June. The Sparkle Weekend has been a cornerstone of the LGBTQIA+ Community here in Manchester for the past 21 years. You can be sure of acceptance, celebration and a very warm welcome by our team, volunteers and other attendees. We aren’t just a community celebration, we are a family.
Sparkle Weekend Tickets
Sparkle Charity have made the decision to introduce paid tickets this year.
We have struggled with the rising costs of delivering accessible and safe events. Our team has tried very hard to secure sponsorship to keep the Sparkle Weekend free, but this has been difficult. This is partly due to a change in climate in the financial & corporate market, and the difficulty of being a grassroots trans charity.
£1 trans hardship ticket
£5 youth ticket
£7.50 standard ticket (18+)
£7.50 accessible ticket
£12.50 allyship ticket
£25 pay it forward ticket
These affordable tickets enable their Charity to continue running the Sparkle Weekend and keep supporting the gender diverse community.
If you are part of a business or organisation and want to support the Sparkle Weekend, please email corporate@sparkle.org.uk
Sparkle Main Stage
Stage times:
Friday 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Saturday 12.00pm - 9.00pm
Sunday 12.00pm - 7.00pm
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!
Line up to be announced soon.
Accessibility
One of our charity’s core values is that the Sparkle Weekend is accessible to everyone, regardless of gender identity, race, religion, or physical ability.
Some of our accessibility provisions include:
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Earplugs available on request
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BSL interpreter on the Main Stage
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Accessible toilets including baby change facilities
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A step-free site
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Plenty of seating available
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Assistance dogs welcome
The nearest Changing Places toilet to Sackville Gardens is at Piccadilly Train Station.
If you have any questions, email us:
Sanctuary Pop-Up
At Velvet Event Space on Canal Street
Opening times
Saturday 12.00pm - 5.00pm
Sunday 12.00pm - 5.00pm
Join us for a relaxing afternoon to celebrate gender diversity, away from the hustle and bustle of the main festival! Gender diverse folks and allies welcome.
Activities will be running, such as
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Wellbeing workshop
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Big Gay Pub Quiz
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Queer book swap
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Zine making
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Board games
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Crafts
Accessibility: step free access to the venue. Accessible toilet. Low background noise. Friendly volunteers to help. Plenty of seating. 2 minutes walk away from Sackville Gardens.
Family Zone
Opening Times
Saturday 10.30am - 6.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 6.00pm
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 face painting!
You will be able to chat to The Proud Trust, who can offer advice and guidance to young people and their carers. Join their Sprinkles taster session in the Family Zone, on Sunday 12.00pm - 2.00pm, for LGBTQ+ people under 13 and their parents & carers.
Proudly sponsored by Vodafone Three
Wellbeing Zone
Opening Times
Saturday 10.30am - 6.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 6.00pm
We are proudly joined by Anne Health and Manchester University NHS Foundation. Gender affirming haircuts by Affirmation Studio and Tiny's Barbers, and massages by Queer Wellness.
Cosy Corner
A new addition to 2026, the Cosy Corner is a serene and welcoming space to relax, chat, and make connections. You can expect beanbags, fidget toys, and great company.
Positivity Zone
Friday 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Saturday 10.30am - 6.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 6.00pm
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!
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!
Friday
B for Barbosa
Frogs for Brainz
Nancyboy Ink
Nye Makes Tat
Rodeowrangler
the bits and bobby
Wacky Doodle Devon
Saturday
Enkihara
Ionzy's Studio
liperty liperty
Pluto's Treasures
Sea Shells
Shaven Raven Designs
Time 4 Soup
Sunday
Abi Rings You Up
Bee Draw
Chaos Goblin Creative
Dxadcute
Mossy Bits
Raven's Jewels
The Fingersmiths
Marketplace
Opening Times
Saturday 10.30am - 6.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 6.00pm
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.
Confirmed Traders:
African Rainbow Family - be / here mcr CIC - Black Cats & Unicorns Alternative Celebrancy - Building Equality - C J Accessories - Care Quality Commission (CQC) - cloudsofk - Crossdressed UK - Dolly's Daydreams - Dragged Out Limited - Emily A Foster - Ever Loving Chaos - FORGE mcr - Gender Outreach Workers - Greater Manchester Combined Authority & Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service - Guiders Against Trans Exclusion (GATE) - Indie Child ltd - LGBT Foundation - Lovingme - Manchester City Council (MCC) - Manchester Village Pride - Network Rail - North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) - Poppy Orange Designs - Proud 2 B Parents - Queen Bea Makeovers - Rainbow & Co - Switchboard LGBTQIA+ Support Line - Trans Mutual Aid Newcastle - Trans Pride Birmingham - Trans Without Abuse - Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) - UNISON NW LGBT+ - University and College Union (UCU) - and more!
Food & Drinks
Opening Times
Friday 6.00pm - 10.00pm
Saturday 10.30am - 9.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 8.00pm
Java John's - Get your tea and coffee with pride, from this LGBTQ+ beverage vendor.
La Puerta Roja - Mexican tacos & nachos. All homemade, authentic Mexican products. 100% gluten free, offering meat, vegetarian & vegan options.
Bonnie and Clyde - Delicious Italian food such as deep fried pasta, meatballs, arancini, with vegan and vegetarian option.
Just Gyros - Authentic Greek Pitta toasted and served with choice of Chicken, Feta or Halloumi with Fresh Tzatziki, salad and fries. Catering vegetarian and gluten free options.
Travelling Taverns- Our proud Community Bar Partner, serving you drinks all weekend.
Daniel's Ices - Cool off with ice cream, ice lollies, and other sweet treats.
Sensory Morning
Opening Times
Saturday 10.30am - 12.00pm
Sunday 10.30am - 12.00pm
We will be opening the Park earlier again this year for our Sensory Space. There will be no music on the Main Stage and a reduced number of visitors. You can browse our Marketplace, have fun in the Family Zone, and unwind in the Wellbeing Zone.
On Saturday, there will be a yoga session, and on Sunday, there will be a nature-based therapeutic corner.
We hope this will enable everyone to enjoy the Sparkle Weekend, regardless of sensory needs, age or ability.
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.
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 (over 18s only).
Volunteering
To bring the Sparkle Weekend to life, we rely on people power!
There are lots of different roles you can take on: setting up, fundraising, welcoming visitors, social media, supporting with specific zones, litter picking, accessibility support, and site maintenance!
No prior experience is necessary, just an open mind and a positive attitude.
Volunteers are needed from Thursday 25th - Monday 29th June.
We have specific roles you can sign up for via the form, including Youth Worker, Photographers & Videographers, and Social Media Assistant.
If you have any questions, email volunteer@sparkle.org.uk
“When I was younger I travelled from a small countryside town to attend Sparkle. I was blown away by a sense of community I had never felt before. This year I attended having moved to the city and it healed my inner child knowing this community was now truly mine whenever I wanted.”