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How to Celebrate Pride in 2023

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A Pride celebration for two | Tourism Vancouver/Vision Event Photography Inc.

Celebrating Pride is something we can do year-round, though the month of June brings us all together to collectively advocate for and support the LGBTQAI2S+ community. Build connections, be seen, and wave the flag of support and love as communities across British Columbia celebrate with pride in 2023. Here are a few events to add to your calendar this year.

Vancouver Pride Parade | Destination Vancouver/Vision Event Photography Inc.

VANCOUVER

Vancouver Queer Arts Festival (June 17-28, 2023)
The Vancouver Queer Arts Festival amplifies unique perspectives and lived experiences from the LGBTQAI2S+ community through art, film, and literature. Artists from many cultural backgrounds will explore the 2023 festival theme of “Queers in Space” in both playful and profound ways.

Vancouver Pride Parade and Sunset Beach Festival (August 6, 2023)
Vancouver’s West End and Yaletown neighbourhoods will become a vibrant celebration hub as the 45th annual Vancouver Pride Parade winds its way along a new route. Organizers are also launching a raft of supporting events, including live performances and more. This year’s festival will include two days of live entertainment and vendors, and the new festival site will accommodate more people and be more accessible.

METRO VANCOUVER AND COAST

Sunshine Coast Pride Month (June 3-25, 2023)
The Sunshine Coast is hosting a roster of fun pride events for all ages in Gibsons, Roberts Creek, and Sechelt. Participate in an array of activities, including a visual art exhibition, a dance at Roberts Creek Hall, and a Pride golf tournament at the Blue Ocean Golf Course in Sechelt.

Surrey PRIDE Festival (May 27– June 24, 2023)
This year, Surrey’s Pride calendar kicks off with So YOU Think YOU Can Drag, and event that will see six community leaders show off their drag alter egos to raise money for their respective charities of choice. The marquis event, Surrey Pride, takes place on June 24 at Civic Plaza, Surrey, where attendees can dance the night away to an ABBA tribute band, among other entertainment.

Maple Ridge’s Pride Picnic in the Park With PLEA (June 3, 2023)
This free family-friendly outdoor event, hosted by PLEA, takes place in Memorial Peace Park and features a fun afternoon of BBQ, face painting, games, and live entertainment. The annual event, which is funded entirely by donations to PLEA, has been going strong since 2016.

Burnaby Pride (July 22, 2023)
Burnaby Civic Square is home to the city’s sixth annual Burnaby Pride celebrations, with live music, drag, comedy, educational booths and activities for all ages, with a focus on local partnerships, support, and participation.

Pride in Poco (July 22, 2023)
On July 22, Port Coquitlam’s City Hall will light up in rainbow colours in support of LGBT2SQ+ communities. Pride in Poco, which is a collaboration between the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Roundtable and local youth, will feature community displays, live performances, food vendors, and more.

White Rock Pride Family Day (July 21-29, 2023)
White Rock’s Pride Week begins the raising of the Pride flag at City Hall on the 21st and ends with a Love is Love Gala/Fundraiser on the 29th. In between, opportunities to celebrate include the Pride Ride, Pride Family Day’s family-friendly street festival, and the Pride Mingler, a night of music and refreshments.

New West Pride Week and Street Festival (August 10-19, 2023)
New West Pride hosts a week of pride-filled activities, culminating in a big street festival on August 19 along Columbia Street. Attendees can enjoy live performances across three performance stages, as well as a children’s area, food trucks, and beer gardens.

Delta Pride Picnic (August 20, 2023)
Ladner Memorial Park will be abuzz with live entertainment, food trucks, and community excitement during the fifth annual Delta Pride Picnic. The Delta Pride Society also hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including bingo, parties, and shows.

Squamish Pride Events (Throughout the year)
The Squamish Pride Society hosts events throughout the year, including regular social gatherings for adults (Cheers, Queers!) and as well as Socials for all ages. Alternate Wednesdays, there is an in-person or Zoom meeting of the Sea to Sky Allies.

Victoria Pride Parade | Deddeda Stemler

VICTORIA

Victoria Pride Week Festival (June 29-July 9, 2023)
The week of programming organized by the Victoria Pride Society starts with Youth Pride, a night of music, dancing, art, and more for the 15-21 crowd. Prepare for a day of fun at the Memorial Drag Ball Game, look out your rainbow-coloured leash for the Big Gay Dog Walk, and embrace the power of language at Canada’s biggest Pride literary event, Pride in the Word. Finally, gather with around 40,000 like-minded community members and allies to listen to a welcome from the local Songhees Nation and watch the Pride Parade before heading to MacDonald Park for a festival with more than 150 vendors in attendance.

VANCOUVER ISLAND

Nanaimo Pride (June 7-11, 2023)
The Nanaimo Pride calendar of events includes a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall and a Pride Parade that winds its way around the city for the first time in four years! The parade ends at Maffeo Sutton Park, location of the Pride Festival with its live entertainment, diverse vendors, and food trucks galore.

Campbell River Pride (June 24, 2023)
The North Island Pride Society is hosting a vibrant event in Campbell River on June 24 that celebrates diversity and inclusion. Don’t miss Pride at the Tide at the Tidemark Theatre, an interactive drag show followed by a dance party led by Vancouver-based Queer as Funk.

Pride Festival in Kelowna | Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com - Shawn Talbot Photography

THOMPSON OKANAGAN

Kelowna Pride Week (June 5-11, 2023)
Kelowna Pride, the largest Pride festival in BC’s Interior, kicks off with a launch part on June 5 at Kelowna’s BNA Brewing Co. Other events include a Trans Pride Celebration, Kelowna’s Next Drag Superstar, Pride Yoga, and the signature Pride March and Festival in lakeside City Park.

Kamloops Pride Week (August 21-27, 2023)
The Kamloops Pride team is pulling together a list of entertaining events for the 2023 season, to include stand-up comedy, poetry, and a drag show. The week will ramp up to the Pride Parade and Party in the Park on August 27.

Mural by artist Kelly Shpeley in Nelson | Nelson Kootenay Lake Tourism/ David Gluns

KOOTENAY ROCKIES

Kootenay PRIDE, Nelson (August 28-September 4, 2023)
Kootenay PRIDE has been spreading love and togetherness for more than 20 years. Nelson’s Baker Street will come alive on Sunday, September 3 as the Pride Parade winds its way through town. Follow Kootenay PRIDE on Facebook and Instagram for details on the exciting roster of events.

Elk Valley Pride Festival  (September 20-24, 2023)
The Fernie Pride Society hosts the annual Elk Valley Pride Festival, which features events for the whole family, including drag shows, live music performances, Pride-themed activities, and more. Follow the Fernie Pride Society on Facebook and Instagram for upcoming announcements and schedules.

NORTHERN BC

Dawson Creek Pride Walk (June 12, 2023)
2023 marks the community’s second annual Pride Walk, though the Dawson Creek Pride Society has been representing the local LGBTQAI2S+ community since 2002.

Quesnel Pride Walk and After Party (June 10, 2023)
The theme of this year’s event is Say My [Chosen] Name, is in support of people around the world who must deal with people using their dead names and/or the wrong pronouns. The Quesnel Pride Society has been hosting Pride events since 2014.

Prince George Pride (June 3, 2023)
PG Pride 2023 brings the community together with a parade, drag, local vendors, and more. Follow the PG Pride Society Facebook page for more details on upcoming pride events.

Pride Dance in Fort St. John (June 3, 2023)
The North Peace Pride Society will host a Wizard of Oz-themed dance at the Pomeroy Hotel and Conference Centre in Fort St. John. Dress as Dorothy or one of the other beloved citizens of the Land of Oz for a chance to win a prize.

Whistler Pride and Ski Festival | Tourism Whistler/Mike Crane

BONUS: WINTER PRIDE 2024

Whistler Pride and Ski Festival
For the snow-minded, it’s never too early to start thinking about winter. The annual Whistler Pride and Ski Festival is slated for January 21-28, 2024 with skiing and snowboarding events, arts and culture experiences, and themed gatherings.

Peak Pride
The Rebellious Unicorns event group brings Peak Pride to ski resorts in BC’s Interior with a touring, multi-stop pride festival that includes fun on and off mountain events. One of the signature activities is the ski and snowboard parade where snow sliders can show their pride on the slopes. Dates and locations will be announced in the coming months.

For more information about Pride celebrations in other communities around BC, here’s an extensive list.

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