March
Jasper, Alberta
Jasper Pride
Thursday, March 17–Sunday, March 20, 2016
Taking place in the snow-capped Rockies, this wintry take on Pride includes such oh-so-Canadian activities as skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding. It’s enough to make your poutine weep with national pride.
April
Guelph, Ontario
Guelph Pride
Friday, April 29–Sunday, May 8, 2016
Kink Adventures for Queer and Trans Folk (and Their Lovers) workshop, pub crawl, Mr and Miss Guelph Pride pageants, beach volleyball — this year’s festival has a wide range of attractions on offer.
May
Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario
tri-Pride
Tuesday, May 24–Sunday, June 5, 2016
Because of recent difficulties, which nearly shut the festival down, this year’s theme is “UNFestival.” It includes mixers in all three cities, beach volleyball, drag shows, vendor fairs and the Family Pride Picnic.
Niagara, Ontario
Pride Niagara
Thursday, May 26–Saturday, June 5, 2016
The falls are lit up in rainbow colours for a celebration that features RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4’s Willam performing at the fifth annual Pride in the Park Festival.
Chatham-Kent, Ontario
Pride Chatham-Kent
Friday, May 27, 2016
In addition to various events over the summer months, a day that includes a march and flag raising is meant to show that the area is safe for all people.
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
Moose Jaw Pride
Sunday, May 29–Saturday, June 4, 2016
The Moose Javians show their pride with a two-spirit drum circle, screening of the film The Broken Hearts Club (following by a panel discussion), games night and youth dance.
Durham Region, Ontario
Pride Durham
Monday, May 30–Sunday, June 5, 2016
Beginning with flag raisings in all the municipalities, the celebration grows into a BBQ, gala dinner and youth night–filled spectacle. It concludes with a performance by, among others, musician Lucas Silveira.
June
Toronto, Ontario
Pride Toronto
Wednesday, June 1–Sunday, July 3, 2016
Margaret Atwoood talks about the bathhouse raids, George Takei holds an evening soirée, Randy Harrison (Justin from Queer as Folk) hosts a QAF-themed party and Justin Trudeau marches in the parade — this is just a taste of what’s on during this full month of attractions.
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Saskatoon Pride
Friday, June 3–Sunday, June 12, 2016
The Second Chance Prom is a nostalgic kick-off for a “Pride Shines”–themed celebration that features a fashion show, river cruise, youth dance party and a couple movie nights.
Edmonton, Alberta
Edmonton Pride
Friday, June 3–Sunday, June 12, 2016
Included in this year’s line-up are drag performer David “Vanity Fair” Chimko, all-male dance company Snap Boys, DJ Mike Tomas and impressionist/performer Tracey Bell (who will show off her Cher, Marilyn Monroe, Celine Dion and more).
Thunder Bay, Ontario
Thunder Pride
Tuesday, June 7–Saturday, June 18, 2016
Folks throw some elbows at a rollerderby, drag queens sing their wigs off at a drag show, and kinksters wag their tails at a pup night — this very northern celebration has something for everyone.
Brantford, Ontario
Brantford Pride
Monday, June 13–Saturday, June 18, 2016
Things get rowdy at the trans awareness open mic night, watery on the boat cruise and holy at the non-denominational church service. It concludes with a drag performance-filled dance.
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston Pride
Saturday, June 18–Sunday, June 29, 2016
The big weekend features a fair (on both days), silent auction, huge yard sale and some family-oriented activities.
Pembroke, Ontario|
Pembroke Pride
Saturday, June 18, 2016
Because of the recent mass shooting in Orlando, some remarks and a moment of silence precede the Pride walk. This is followed by a gathering at Epic Cafe.
Sechelt, British Columbia
Sunshine Coast Pride
Sunday, June 19–Saturday, June 25, 2016
Just a short ferry ride from Vancouver, folks can enjoy a gay ol’ picnic, group art show, and literary event (with Michael V Smith and Nicola Harwood). It concludes with a dance party.
Regina, Saskatchewan
Queen City Pride
Monday, June 20–Sunday, Jun 26, 2016
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 4’s Willam headlines at this year’s Pride After Dark party. This “Inside and Out”-themed festival includes over 30 community events.
Whitehorse, Yukon
Yukon Pride: 24+ Hours of Funky Gaylight
Saturday, June 25, 2016
In addition to the parade and picnic, there’s a high-energy dance party with music by DJ Slade and Queer as Funk (a queer soul, motown and funk band).
Surrey, British Columbia
Surrey Pride
Sunday, June 26, 2016
This year’s celebration features vendors, food trucks and such live entertainment as DJ BigBadBear (a bear whose badness will be revealed only to those who attend).
July
Prince Edward Island
Pride PEI
Sunday, July 24–Saturday, July 30, 2016
With the theme “Then, Now, Always,” the week’s events are both fabulous and educational. It includes the Pride Masquerade Prom.
Victoria, British Columbia
Victoria Pride
Friday, July 1–Sunday, July 10, 2016
A sporty, outdoorsy celebration, complete with the annual drag ball game, a boat cruise and the Big Gay Dog Walk.
Prince George, British Columbia
Pride Prince George
Friday, July 8–Sunday, July 10, 2016
The highlight of the “Pride of the North” is undoubtedly the drag show, which features local and out-of-town talent. The weekend concludes with a brunch, when a community member is honoured.
prideprincegeorge.wildapricot.org/pride2016
Kawartha Lakes, Ontario
Kawartha Lakes Pride
Saturday, July 9, 2016
Folks find games, raffles, face painting, balloon animals, food and more, at the area’s second annual Pride picnic.
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London, Ontario
Pride London
Thursday, July 14–Sunday, July 24, 2016
RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 8’s sexy Derrick Barry performs as Britney Spears at The Spotlight Party. This year also features Pride London’s first ever official trans event, a performance-filled, coffee house–style gathering called Our Pride Place.
Muskoka, Ontario
Muskoka Pride
Friday, July 15–Sunday, July 24, 2016
Following a kick-off event in Huntsville’s River Mill Park, revelers enjoy the eighth annual Pride picnic with live music provided by lesbian folk singer Irish Mythen.
Belleville, Ontario
Belleville Pride
Sunday, July 17–Saturday, July 23, 2016
Following the pre-Pride party, the town and surrounding area gets festive with a literary night, games night, church service and a park festival.
Sudbury, Ontario
Sudbury Pride
Monday, July 18–Sunday, July 24, 2016
Performer and DJ Fluffy Soufflé holds down the fort at the second annual Pride Prom (for those no older than 18 years). The celebration also includes The Gay Cabaret and a conference focused on queer seniors.
Vancouver, British Columbia
Vancouver Pride
Sunday, July 24–Sunday, July 31, 2016
Picnic on the beach, block party, Sunset Beach Festival, Terry Wallace memorial breakfast, The Legacy Awards, the dyke and trans marches — this big west coast Pride is packed with fun things to do.
Simcoe Country, Ontario
Simcoe Pride
Thursday, July 28–Saturday, Aug 6, 2016
Now in its fifth year, the county celebrates with multiple flag raisings, candle-lit vigil, movie night and community awards gala.
August
Windsor-Essex, Ontario
Windsor-Essex Pride
Wednesday, Aug 3–Sunday Aug 7, 2016
A night of bowing, Family Fun Day, dance party and an exhibit of work by local artists are all part of the festive lead up to the main event.
Saint John, New Brunswick
Saint John Pride
Wednesday, Aug 3–Sunday, Aug 7, 2016
Leading up to the weekend main event, this east coast bash offers an edifying trans panel, jovial coffee house and frivolous drag show.
Okanagan, British Columbia
Okanagan Pride
Saturday, Aug 6–Saturday, Aug 13, 2016
This year’s “We Are One”–themed bash includes a trans march, dance party, and a drag competition for both queens and kings.
Montreal, Quebec
Pride Montreal
Monday, Aug 8–Sunday, Aug 14, 2016
The all but universally-loved historic city presents a massive drag show with seven contestants from various years of RuPaul’s Drag Race — they’re calling it the “biggest ever show in Montreal” — and a comedy show starring André Sauvé.
Ottawa, Ontario
Capital Pride
Monday, Aug 15–Sunday, Aug 21, 2016
New this year, Pride in the capital includes two stages with more than 90 performers of various identities, and an event aimed at promoting diversity in comics and gaming.
Calgary, Alberta
Calgary Pride
Friday, Aug 26–Monday, Sept 5, 2016
The parade grand marshal and featured performer this year is award-winning author and singer/songwriter Rae Spoon, whose latest album, Armour, is causing a stir.
September
Salt Spring Island, British Columbia
Salt Spring Pride
Friday, Sept 9–Sunday, Sept 11, 2016
Attendees get decked in festive, rainbow-festooned gear for the parade, dance party and several other community events.
Peterborough, Ontario
Peterborough Pride
Saturday, Sept 17–Saturday, Sept 24, 2016
This year’s more than 20 events include dances, film nights, walks, talks, socials, discussion groups, the PFLAG Brunch and the Pride in the Park festival.
January 2017
Whistler, British Columbia
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival
Sunday, Jan 22–Sunday, Jan 29, 2017
A high-altitude celebration of diversity where, when they’re not skiing and snowboarding, attendees enjoy spa treatments, art exhibits and fine dining. This is the event’s 25th year.
Have we missed one? Let us know! Please send all information and a website to listings@dailyxtra.com. Happy Pride!
Please note that this list will grow as information about more celebrations becomes available.
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