Five reasons SCENE 2026 should be in your diary this Summer!

1. Russell T Davies headlines: Tip Toe Screening and Panel at New Century Hall - Friday 21 August

One of the biggest TV draws in the programme is Tip Toe, which gets a special screening and panel at New Century Hall on Friday 21 August.

The drama follows Leo and Clive, neighbours in Manchester, after the simple act of giving someone a spare key turns an ordinary suburban world into “a minefield of lies and violence”.

SCENE will screen Episode 5 of the series, which is filmed and set in Manchester with Canal Street as its backdrop.

After the screening, writer and creator Russell T Davies will join Executive Producer Nicola Shindler and members of the cast and creative team for an exclusive panel discussion about the making of the series.

Tickets are £12 for general admission, £7 for low/unwaged, and community tickets are available at £0, plus booking fees.

2. Heartstopper Forever - In Conversation with Alice Oseman at New Century Hall - Sunday 23 August

For Heartstopper fans, no defibrillator required! Sunday 23 August brings a chance to hear directly from Alice Oseman at New Century Hall.

Heartstopper Forever - In Conversation with Alice Oseman will reflect on the journey of Nick and Charlie, from webcomic to graphic novel phenomenon to global Netflix series.

The event will also look at Heartstopper Forever, described in the programme as the conclusion that brought the story full circle.

Expect clips, conversation and nostalgia around a story built on kindness, queer joy and the power of being seen.

Low/unwaged tickets are listed at £5 plus a 70p booking fee, with community tickets available at £0 plus a 70p booking fee. The general admission price was not included in the supplied details.

3. Drag Race icons are going off the rails at HOME: Stop That Train at HOME - Saturday 22 August

If your ideal disaster movie comes with wigs, chaos and a RuPaul cameo, Stop! That! Train! may be your SCENE moment.

The screening takes place at HOME on Saturday 22 August and is billed as the newest offering from the makers of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The film stars Ginger Minj, Jujubee, Brooke Lynn Hytes and Latrice Royale, with RuPaul appearing as President Gagwell.

The story follows two train stewardess best friends who move from a dull railway to the luxurious Glamazonian Express, only to face a huge storm and a looming disaster in LA.

SCENE is also making the screening a party, with drag performances, surprises and chances to “go off the rails”.

Tickets are £9.95 full price or £7.95 concessions, plus a £1.20 booking fee.

4. Drag is also taking over KAMPUS: Dragged to the Movies at KAMPUS - Thursday 20 August to Monday 31 August

Dragged to the Movies is a brand new outdoor exhibition in the gardens of KAMPUS.

Captured backstage by photographer Fake Trash during SCENE 2024’s Dragged to the Movies cabaret, the exhibition celebrates the long-running love affair between drag, film and television.

Manchester drag performers are pictured transforming into pop culture characters, with inspirations including Mrs Doubtfire, Frank N Furter and Doctor Who.

It runs from Thursday 20 August to Monday 31 August, open daily from 9am to 11pm. It is free to attend and no booking is required.

5. Absolutely Fabulous gets the full camp treatment: The Ab Fab A-Thon at New Century Hall - Saturday 22 August

Sweetie darling, SCENE is also serving a night for the Ab Fab faithful.

The Ab Fab A-Thon takes over New Century Hall on Saturday 22 August, hosted by Dragula’s Anna Phylactic and RuPaul’s Drag Race UK’s Banksie as Eddie and Patsy.

Presented with Manchester’s camp film and TV club Make A Scene, the night promises favourite Absolutely Fabulous episodes, games, an Ab Fab catwalk, bolly, fashion, PR and, naturally, Lulu.

The event is presented with thanks to the BFI National TV Archive.

Tickets are £15 general admission, £7 low/unwaged, and £0 community tickets, plus booking fees.

Bonus diary note: Liberation Pride Pageant at Aviva Studios - Thursday 27 August

Later in the festival, Aviva Studios hosts the Liberation Pride Pageant on Thursday 27 August.

The event marks the official launch of Liberation Pride, formerly Black Pride MCR, and is created and produced by Rikki Beadle-Blair.

Hosted by Darren Pritchard, the pageant will see performers compete to become the next POC Drag Superstar.

Expect runway looks, performances and drag energy, with free tickets available by pre-booking.