Ariana Grande is returning to Manchester to headline Manchester Pride Live at Mayfield this August Bank Holiday weekend.
It will be the singer's first show in the city since 2017's One Love Manchester benefit concert at Emirates Old Trafford.
The Manchester Pride Festival will take place from August 23-26. It will include Manchester Pride Live, the Gay Village Party, The Manchester Pride Parade, The Superbia Weekend, Youth Pride MCR and The Candlelit Vigil.
Grande will join acts including Years and Years, Bananarama, Basement Jaxx, Chelcee Grimes, Becky Hill, Liberty X, Louisa, Youngr, Pixie Lott, Four of Diamonds and transgender German singer-songwriter Kim Petras over the weekend.
The event which will take place throughout the Mayfield site in Piccadilly will feature a number of performance spaces including a 9,000-capacity outdoor performance space The Yard, the indoor Depot will play host to DJs and dance acts and The Sorting Room will host a street food market, bars, and another stage area hosting pop-up performances. Plus the platforms of the station will be home to a funfair.
CEO Mark Fletcher said: “This year marks a big change for the festival as it continues to evolve. Previously we had one event running over the weekend and this year we have two, each with a distinct offering. At Manchester Pride Live we’re truly honoured to be welcoming Ariana back to the city to help us celebrate LGBT+ life. My team and I have worked hard to create a diverse lineup of performers who will join her in helping us continue to make a difference to the lives of LGBT+ people and celebrate the unity that exists in our brilliant city.”
Another Manchester tour date is also thought to be in the works for Grande, who tweeted: "We are still working on something a little more special for you guys". The star was made an honorary citizen of Manchester in recognition of her efforts in organising One Love Manchester, which came weeks after the 2017 terrorist attack after her concert at Manchester Arena.
