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
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
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​​​​
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!
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.
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"