What to know<\/p>\n
Pride celebrations are taking place across Ontario throughout June, from Milford to Niagara.<\/p>\n
Events include parades, drag performances, community fairs, family-friendly festivals and even a pop-up wedding.<\/p>\n
Several celebrations are free to attend, while others offer ticketed entertainment and special programming.<\/p>\n
Pride Month recognizes and celebrates 2SLGBTQ+ communities across Canada.<\/p>\n
While Toronto is a hub of all things Queer \u2014 especially in June \u2014 From Hamilton to Kingston to Muskoka, there are events for the 2SLGBTQ+ community happening throughout Ontario all month.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Statistics Canada<\/a> reports that across Canada, 1.3 million people (or about 4 per cent of the population) identify as 2SLGBTQ+, and with Pride being an occasion to honour the resilience and courage of our community, it\u2019s important to celebrate loud and proud\u2026 pun intended.<\/p>\n Thankfully, while Ontario is a big place, it\u2019s also a province with a major Pride rundown across towns and cities this month. From Milford to Muskoka, Whitby to Niagara, Queer & Now<\/a> has rounded up nine Pride events outside of Toronto to check out this month.\u00a0<\/p>\n North of Toronto\u00a0<\/p>\n York Pride\u00a0<\/p>\n Address: York Pride Festival Grounds, 200 Doug Duncan Dr., Newmarket<\/p>\n When:\u00a0 Saturday, June 13<\/p>\n From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., people in York Region<\/a> will be able to celebrate Pride with a day-long celebration featuring a market, performances, and a Pride Parade.\u00a0<\/p>\n The parade kicks off with a Trans March before continuing with the annual Pride walk, and is scheduled for 4-5:45 p.m., starting on Main St. The procession will head south on Queen St., east on Water St., before wrapping up at Doug Duncan Dr.<\/p>\n Alliston Pride<\/p>\n Where: The Krasman Centre, 17 Paris St., Alliston<\/p>\n When: Saturday, June 20<\/p>\n From 11:30-3:30, Alliston will be celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community loud and proud at The Krasman Centre. For the third year in a row, rainbows will take over the space for an afternoon of entertainment and togetherness in Simcoe County.<\/p>\n The event lineup includes keynote speakers, drag performances, live music, community services booths, a free BBQ, children\u2019s activities, popcorn and snow cones.\u00a0<\/p>\n Entry to the festivities is free, with part of Paris St. also blocked off for the event, aiming to create a welcoming space for residents and visitors alike to celebrate Pride in a smaller-town setting.\u00a0<\/p>\n Bala Bay Diva Pride Weekend<\/p>\n Where: Bala Bay Inn, 3063 Muskoka Rd. 169, Bala<\/p>\n When: June 19-21<\/p>\n Even further north, Muskoka is getting in on the Pride celebrations this year with Bala\u2019s first-ever Pride Weekend. Hosted by the Bala Bay Divas and special guests, for three days, drag performances, a Pride brunch, and evening shows will take over the Bala Bay Inn.<\/p>\n This is a good fit for people looking to combine a cottage weekend with Pride celebrations, with accommodations available at the Inn and throughout the surrounding area.\u00a0<\/p>\n East of Toronto<\/p>\n Youth Pride Durham\u00a0<\/p>\n Where: Region of Durham Headquarters, 605 Rossland Rd. E, Whitby<\/p>\n When: Saturday, June 13<\/p>\n Specially designed for young people in Durham Region, this Pride celebration<\/a> is one of the more family-oriented events on the list.<\/p>\n From 1-4 p.m., attendees can look forward to fabulous drag performances, storytelling, face painting, cotton candy, popcorn, a magic show, dancing and DJ sets. Additionally, aiming to create a hub for those looking for community supports, The Resource Village will feature representatives and team members from organizations across Durham Region sharing information about the programming they offer to 2SLGBTQIA+ people in the area.<\/p>\n Compass Rose Pride Party<\/p>\n Address: 575 Crowes Rd., Milford<\/p>\n When: Sunday, June 7<\/p>\n Calling all you lovebirds considering eloping, we have an event for you. Set on the gorgeous Compass Rose property, which serves as a wedding and event venue, the fourth annual CR Pride Party is wedding-themed, with a twist.<\/p>\n It also serves as a pop-up wedding, giving attendees access to an officiant and a gorgeous venue to tie the knot, as well as a built-in reception.\u00a0Tickets<\/a> are about $48 and include live sets by DJ Lynz, canap\u00e9s by Hawley Crescent Catering and Events, and a welcome drink. <\/p>\n There will be food and drinks available for purchase at the soir\u00e9e, with proceeds going to Rainbow Railroad. The party kicks off at 6 p.m.<\/p>\n Kingston Pride Parade and Community Fair<\/p>\n Where: Memorial Centre and Confederation Park, Kingston<\/p>\n When: Saturday, June 13<\/p>\n Founded in 1989, Kingston Pride is back for another year of Queer festivities, featuring a weeklong celebration of the 2SLGBTQ+ community with the theme Resilience & Liberation in Action.\u00a0<\/p>\n The annual Pride Parade begins at noon and travels down Princess St. through the city\u2019s downtown core, before ending near the scenic waterfront.<\/p>\n Following the parade, attendees can enjoy the Kingston Pride Community Fair, running from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Confederation Park. Local vendors, artists, community organizations and small businesses will be available in abundance, while local performing artists provide live entertainment and family-friendly programming throughout the day.\u00a0<\/p>\n West of Toronto<\/p>\n Wrap it Up<\/p>\n When: Saturday, June 6<\/p>\n Where: Moose & Goose, 54 Paul De Divitiis Senior Wy., Thorold<\/p>\n Niagara goes big when it comes to Pride, celebrating the season with a week-long schedule of events at the beginning of the month, and wrapping up with a party on Saturday, June 6.\u00a0<\/p>\n Wrap it Up is this year\u2019s official Pride Niagara after-party, featuring Canada\u2019s Drag Race Season 6 superstar, Dulce. A proud Latina queen, her high-energy performance will blend her cultural roots with fierce choreography, vibrant looks, and crowd-hyping charisma.\u00a0<\/p>\n In addition to performing, Dulce will be hosting a meet-and-greet, while performances from local queens are also slated throughout the night.<\/p>\n This 19+\u00a0 party kicks off at 10 p.m. and runs til 2 a.m., with\u00a0 DJ Osito spinning all night. Tickets are $20<\/a> and available in advance.<\/p>\n Tri-Pride\u2019s annual Pride in the Park<\/p>\n Where: Willow River Park, Kitchener
When: Saturday, June 6<\/p>\n