Your guide to every Canadian Pride party in 2015

A comprehensive list of gay celebrations across our home and native land


Way Up North

Yukon

Yukon Pride: 24+ Hours of Gaylight

Thursday, June 25–Sunday, June 28, 2015

After the Butch and Bear Bake Off kick-off, revellers enjoy a picnic, dance, and the Pride Paddle on the Yukon River.

queeryukon.com

West Coast

Quesnel, British Columbia

Quesnel Pride

Saturday, June 6–Sunday, June 7, 2015

Spearheaded by local teacher Angie Heenan, Quesnel’s inaugural Pride comprises a parade, barbecue and roller derby.

For more info, contact pridequesnel@hotmail.com

Surrey, British Columbia

Surrey Pride

Thursday, June 25–Saturday, June 27, 2015

This west coast celebration includes radio personality Barb Snelgrove; the all-female classic rock tribute band Stix, Shock and Rock; and the Rainbow Concert Band.

surreypride.ca

Sechelt, British Columbia

Sunshine Coast Pride

Saturday, June 27–Sunday, June 2, 2015

Revellers get on their gayest attire — Mardi Gras beads and feather boas are encouraged — for a kick-off party that includes DJs Little D and Steve spinning, and a kissing booth.

sunshinecoastpride.com

Victoria, British Columbia

Victoria Pride

Sunday, June 28–Sunday, July 5, 2015

Revellers sit back for a screening of Matt Shepard is a Friend of Mine, get out their boas for the Memorial Drag Ball Game, and trot out their queer canines for the Big Gay Dog Walk.

victoriapridesociety.org

Prince George, British Columbia

Pride Prince George

Thursday, July 6–Sunday, July 12, 2015

The “Pride of the North” boasts a community fair with entertainment for all ages, and the recipient of the fourth annual Phoenix Award is announced at the Phoenix Brunch.

prideprincegeorge.wildapricot.org/pride2015

Abbotsford, British Columbia

Fraser Valley Pride

Thursday, July 17–Saturday, July 19, 2015

Abbotsford goes gay for three days, with community booths, vendors, art, movies and dancing.

 

fraservalleypride.com

Vancouver, British Columbia

Vancouver Pride

Saturday, July 25–Sunday, Aug 2, 2015

Art enthusiasts peruse local creations at East Side Pride, outdoorsy people enjoy the Pride Picnic in the Park, and the rest get rowdy at the Davie Street Block Party.

vancouverpride.ca

Okanagan, British Columbia

Okanagan Pride

Saturday, Aug 8–Saturday, Aug 15, 2015

In addition to a family-friendly, non-commercial parade — no advertisements allowed — Okanagan Pride includes a vendor fair and beer garden set against the sparkling backdrop of Lake Okanagan.

okanaganpride.com

New Westminster, British Columbia

New West Pride

Saturday, Aug 8–Saturday, Aug 15, 2015

Folks shake their butts at the Senior Pride Hoedown (yeehaw!), and Legacy Award winner David C Jones evokes chuckles at the Health Initiative for Men Stage.

newwestpride.ca

Salt Spring Island, British Columbia

Salt Spring Pride

Thursday, Sept 10–Sunday, Sept 13, 2015

Salt Spring spreads “Pride and Joy” (this year’s theme), with Trans-Formation, a panel discussion moderated by Captain Snowden and featuring Ivan Coyote; a meet-and-greet barbecue; and A Friday Affair: Rekindled, an adult-themed evening with boylesque performer Waxie Moon.

facebook.com/saltspringpride

Whistler, British Columbia

Whistler Pride and Ski Festival

Saturday, Jan 23–Sunday, Jan 31, 2016

A high-altitude celebration of diversity, where, when they’re not skiing and snowboarding, attendees enjoy spa treatments, art exhibits and fine dining.

gaywhistler.com

Prairies

Jasper, Alberta

Jasper Pride

Thursday, March 19–Sunday, March 22, 2015

Taking place in the snow-capped Rockies, this wintry take on Pride includes such oh-so-Canadian activities as skiing, snowshoeing and dog sledding.

jasperpride.ca

Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

Moose Jaw Pride

Sunday, May 24–Saturday, May 30, 2015

The Moose Javians like their Pride eclectic; They enjoy a dramatic reading of Care and Control (a play about lesbian mothers in custody battles) before burrowing into the tunnels beneath the city’s streets for drag king and queen-guided tours.

moosejawpride.ca

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Pride Winnipeg

Friday, June 5–Sunday, June 14, 2015

The “Pride of the Prairies” boasts a concert by gay rapper Cazwell, Lesbian Lube Wrestling 4.0, and a performance of Big Fat Drag Queen (a Winnipeg drag queen’s one-woman show about her journey from fat and lost to fierce and found).

pridewinnipeg.com

Edmonton, Alberta

Edmonton Pride

Friday June 5–Sunday, June 14, 2015

Among the highlights of this year’s festival are the Bears in the Park Barbecue, a presentation of the We Are Here Queer History Project, and Edmonton Pride’s first annual Women and Trans March.

edmontonpride.ca

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Saskatoon Pride

Sunday June 7–Sunday, June 14, 2015

The Out on the River Boat Cruise is an aquatic kick-off for a festival that features a Mean Girls movie night and the Live in Colour Art and Fashion Show. It concludes with the Detox Pool Party.

edmontonpride.ca

Regina, Saskatchewan

Queen City Pride

Monday, June 15–Sunday, June 21, 2015

RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Shangela Laquifa performs at the Pride After Dark afterparty, the QCPride Awards Gala honours community leaders, and the Regina Public Library gives a presentation on local queer history.

queencitypride.ca

Thompson (and surrounding area), Manitoba

Pride North of 55

Monday, June 22–Saturday, June 27, 2015

This subsidiary of Pride Winnipeg is a chance for residents of northern Manitoba to attend a flag raising, film night, youth dance party, and more.

pridenorthof55.com

Calgary, Alberta

Calgary Pride

Friday, Aug 28–Monday, Sept 7, 2015

Following the parade, folks stampede to the array of attractions in Shaw Millennium Park: music food trucks, beer gardens, vendors and a family-friendly area.

pridecalgary.ca

Ontario

Guelph, Ontario

Guelph Pride

Friday, May 1–Sunday, May 10, 2015

This celebration features such favourites from previous years as a community barbecue, an art show, a movie night and the Mr and Miss Guelph Pride pageants.

guelphpride.com

Niagara, Ontario

Pride Niagara

Saturday, May 30–Saturday, June 6, 2015

A cascade of queer, the Falls are lit up in rainbow colours for a festival that includes the Mr and Miss Pride Niagara competition, a performance by singer-songwriter Rae Spoon, and the Pride in the Park Festival.

prideniagara.com

Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo

tri-Pride

Saturday, May 30–Saturday, June 6, 2015

Among the attractions at this year’s festival are the Bears vs Queens baseball game, a comedy and talent night, and the Beaver Bash roller derby .

tri-pride.ca

Durham Region, Ontario

Pride Durham

Wednesday, June 3–Sunday, June 7, 2015

This week is complete with five flag raisings (in Clarington, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering and Oshawa), a drag-filled Pride kick-off party, and a parade in downtown Oshawa.

pridedurham.com

Timmins, Ontario

Timmins Pride

Friday, June 5–Sunday, June 14, 2015

This festival includes for Fill the City with Rainbows contest, where those who decorate their homes or workplaces with rainbows are eligible to win a prize; and a screening of the documentary In The Turn, about a local 10-year-old transgender girl named Crystal.

timminspride.com

Barrie, Ontario

Barrie Pride

Saturday, June 6–Saturday, June 13, 2015

This festival includes the ACSC Bowl-a-thon, Cinema Night at the Uptown Theatre and a huge community festival in Centennial Park.

barriepride.com

Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thunder Pride

Sunday, June 7–Sunday, June 14, 2015

The two-spirit advocacy organization Nizihojiijack’s Smudge and Drum Ceremony launches a festival that includes performances by such luminaries as drag queen Devine Darline, drag king Flare and burlesque performer Belle Jumelles.

thunderpride.ca

Kingston, Ontario

Kingston Pride

Thursday, June 11–Sunday, June 14, 2015

Among the attractions of this year’s Kingston Pride are the Laugh Out Proud comedy night and Out on the Queen, a boat cruise of the Thousand Islands.

kingstonpride.ca

York Region, Ontario

York Pride

Saturday, June 13–Sunday, June 21, 2015

Centred around such activities as a community social, karaoke and wings night, and a youth movie night, York Region’s shindig caters to the whole family.

yorkpridefest.com

Brantford, Ontario

Brantford Pride

Monday, June 15–Saturday, June 20, 2015

Following a boat cruise, Brantford residents enjoy the Pride of Ukraine film screening and performances by Darcy Feaver, Collected Thoughts, Lacey Hill and Stiletto Flats.

brantfordpride.ca

Hamilton, Ontario

Pride Hamilton

Monday, June 15–Sunday, June 21, 2015

Folks rub hips at the Queer Slow Dance, Matapa Music hosts the Queer People of Colour Cabaret, and Shawn Hitchins performs Ginger Nation (a comedy show about his experiences as a ginger-headed sperm donor).

pridehamilton.ca

Toronto, Ontario

Pride Toronto

Friday, June 19–Sunday, June 28, 2015

Pussy Riot, John Waters, Cyndi Lauper, The Cliks and David Furnish — this celebrity-strewn bash is a must-see.

pridetoronto.com

Kenora, Ontario

Kenora Pride

Friday, June 26–Sunday, June 28, 2015

Yarn Bombing, Paint the Town, Poetry and Truths, Sign Making and Picnic — this small community in Northwestern Ontario goes all out.

Find them on Facebook

Belleville, Ontario

Belleville Pride

Friday, July 3–Saturday, July 4, 2015

Comedian Elvira Kurt winds up the crowds for a full schedule that includes a fair with community-run booths and free food and entertainment.

bellevillepride.ca

Brockville, Ontario

Brockville Pride

Monday, July 13–Saturday, July 18, 2015

Folks enjoy Rainbow Cosmic Bowling, Pride Pub Night and the Pride Potluck Dinner.

brockvillepride.weebly.com

London, Ontario

Pride London

Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 26, 2015

Richard Ryder cracks ’em up at the Pride Comedy Night, ladies get rowdy at the Second Annual Women’s Pride Cup Hockey Tournament, and the play Molly’s Veil dramatizes the lesbian dalliances of Canada’s first female mayor.

facebook.com/PrideLondonFestival

Sudbury, Ontario

Sudbury Pride

Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 26, 2015

The Snobears Barbecue, SACY Youth Coffee House, Réseau Access Network Movie Night and DJ Fluffy Soufflé spinning at a talk by Cheri DiNovo — Nickel City has never been gayer.

sudburypride.com

Muskoka, Ontario

Muskoka Pride

Friday, July 17–Sunday, July 26, 2015

Cottage country’s Pride kick-off barbecue at Rivermill Park in Huntsville is followed by a week of activities including events in all six municipalities in Muskoka. There are 6 flag raisings, a float in the SantaFest parade, and a picnic in Bracebridge.

muskokapride.com

Simcoe County, Ontario

Simcoe Pride

Thursday, July 30–Saturday, Aug 8, 2015

With events across the county — multiple flag raisings, and folks can enjoy the Dusk till Dawn Movie night and the Community Awards Gala and After Party — there’s plenty to do.

simcoepride.com

Windsor-Essex, Ontario

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest

Friday, Aug 7–Sunday, Aug 9, 2015

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest packs in a lot of activity in the two days leading up to the parade on Sunday: family-friendly attractions, live entertainment, vendors, and a dance party with DJ Deko-Ze spinning.

wepridefest.com

Ottawa, Ontario

Capital Pride

Monday, Aug 17–Sunday, Aug 23, 2015

There are few more patriotic ways to celebrate Pride than by attending the capital’s hot Mountie-strewn — we can dream, can’t we? — 30th Pride festival, complete with a family picnic and human rights vigil.

Capital Pride

Peterborough, Ontario

Peterborough Pride

Saturday, Sept 12–Saturday, Sept 19, 2015

At the PFLAG Sharing Circle, people share community-related concerns and ideas. The parade is followed by an event in the park with DJs, community booths and beer gardens.

peterboroughpride.ca

East Coast

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Halifax Pride

Thursday, July 16–Sunday, July 26, 2015

The Maritimes are awash with such queer attractions for Haligonian homos as a film screening, community festival and outdoor dance party.

halifaxpride.com

PEI

Pride PEI

Sunday, July 26–Saturday, Aug 1, 2015

Pride PEI has what it says is the biggest house party the island has ever seen and the largest parade to date.

pride-pei.com

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia

Cape Breton Pride

Friday, Aug 7–Sunday, Aug 16, 2015

A range of attractions are on offer: Flat out Fabulous Drag Show, Out Loud Music Fest, Out After Dusk Movie Night, and the Beach Party and Family Day.

pridecapebreton.ca

Saint John, New Brunswick

Saint John Pride

Thursday, Aug 20–Sunday, Aug 23, 2015

This east coast celebration offers a coffee house, post-parade dance, drag events, brunches and movie nights.

saintjohnpride.com

Quebec

Montreal, Quebec

Pride Montreal

Monday, Aug 10–Sunday, Aug 16, 2015

Literary events, a concert for world peace, family-friendly activities, the raucous Black and White Party — this celebration in an almost universally-loved historic city seems to have something for everyone.

fiertemontrealpride.com

Quebec City, Quebec

Quebec City Pride Festival

Thursday, Sept 3–Sunday, Sept 6, 2015

Taking place on Labour [Gay] weekend and with the theme of “Show Your Colours,” this festival includes a community fair and a series of drag shows.

arcencielquebec.ca

Have we missed one? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you. Please send all info and a website to listings@dailyxtra.com. Happy Pride!

Jeremy Willard is a Toronto-based freelance writer and editor. He's written for Fab Magazine, Daily Xtra and the Torontoist. He generally writes about the arts, local news and queer history (in History Boys, the Daily Xtra column that he shares with Michael Lyons).

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Culture, Pride, Arts, Canada

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