Sparkle Weekend 2026

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.

What can you expect?

• Main Stage - A great selection of performers, hosts, comedians, singers, and musicians.
• Marketplace - Stalls to showcase an incredible range of market stalls, showcasing everything from grassroots organisations, creatives, charities, to our sponsors.
• Family & Youth Zone - Providing a safe haven and entertainment for trans children and their families, and support for trans parents and carers too!
• Wellness Zone - Offering health and wellness advice, a place to zone into your inner beauty, boost your confidence and take a breather from the world!
• Cosy Corner - A serene and welcoming space to relax, chat, and make connections.
• Sparkle Superstars - The Sparkle Superstars Pageant celebrates gender diversity by breaking down traditional binaries in a joyful, inclusive competition.
• Positivity Zone - A space to see vibrancy and creativity from the trans and gender diverse creative trader and arts community.
• Sensory Morning - Enjoy the market stalls, join in with some wellbeing activities, and relax before the hustle and bustle starts. Saturday & Sunday 10.30am - 12.00pm.
• Sober Spaces - To promote an ethos that festivals aren't just about the booze!
• Food & Drink Zone - A great selection of vendors to keep all of our visitors, traders, and volunteers happy, catering to a wide range of dietary requirements.
• Sanctuary Pop-Up - A quieter space just outside of the festival, to participate in workshops, activities, and make some connections.

Timings

• Friday 26th June: 6.00pm - 10.00pm
• Saturday 27th June: 12.00pm - 9.30pm
• Sunday 28th June: 12.00pm - 7.00pm

Sensory Morning

• Saturday 27th & Sunday 28th June: 10.30am - 12.00pm

Organised by Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity (reg. charity number 1134725).

*Terms & Conditions: the Sparkle team reserves the right to remove anyone where there is inappropriate conduct, disturbance, or intimidation on site.

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Host or Publisher Sparkle - The National Transgender Charity