Image courtesy of GayVan.com
By Angus Praught
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival, January 26th-February 2nd, attracts thousands of people from around the world to southern British Columbia each year, as one of the most popular LGBTQ2+ winter Pride festivals anywhere on the planet. With a full week of exciting activities that include guided ski and snowboard groups, a comedy night, a charity ski race, daily après ski events, cabaret nights, spa night, pool parties, a pride parade, the massive “Snowball” and more, people arrive continually throughout the week.
Vancouver is high on the list of many as a pre or post ski festival destination. As some are traveling long distances from as far away as Asia, Europe, the USA, Mexico and the southern hemisphere, it’s the perfect chance to take in some of the fabulous LGBTQ2+ events in the city to enhance the overall experience, and for a chance to meet some of the locals.
Here is a selection of events on various nights of the week that will be taking place in downtown Vancouver around Whistler Pride:
PumpJack Sunday Keggers are legendary. A great place to stop by on Sunday afternoons, as it’s packed with locals and features specially priced beers all day long. Sundays from 1pm, Pumpjack Pub, 1167 Davie Street.
Legends Cabaret! If you’re in town Sunday evening before heading up the hill, this show is a beautiful mix of old school glamour and classic drag artistry. Jaylene Tyme, a Vancouver legend in herself, brings you a new version of the Legends brand. This show starts at 8 PM every Sunday at The Junction, 1138 Davie Street.
Bingo For Life takes place Wednesdays from 7PM-9:30PM, with the fabulous Carlotta Gurl hosting the evening at Mary’s on Davie, 1202 Davie St. A pillar of our community for decades, Bingo For life is a weekly drag bingo fundraiser which benefits Vancouver Friends For Life Society programming.
Image courtesy of GayVan.com
It’s Just Drag! Starring Brooke Lynn Hytes and Monet X Change, contestants from Ru Paul’s Drag Race, this annual drag extravaganza brings to the stage Vancouver’s finest entertainers alongside visiting RPDR stars. Friday Jan 24, 2020 8PM, Commodore Ballroom.
Image by Zoran Jelenic
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo (all-male ballet company) are back in Vancouver with another fabulous show on Saturday Feb 1, 2020 at 8 PM at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, 630 Hamilton Street.
Absolutly Drag-U-Lous If you missed Carlotta Gurl at Bingo earlier in the week, her Saturday show starts at 10 PM sharp at The Junction, 1138 Davie Street. Join Carlotta and her guests every week for a spectacular show filled with drag, live numbers, contests and much more.
PuSh Festival | She, Mami Wata & The Pussy WitchHunt | Image by Jakkub Fulin
PuSh International Performing Arts Festival 2020, runs from January 21 – February 9, 2020 at various Vancouver venues, and includes shows with LGBTQ2+ content. Ideal for those spending a little extra time in Vancouver, beyond the slopes.
5 intersectional and LGBTQ2+ must-see PuSh events here.
All this and more, as well as some of the best hotel rates of the year, make a visit to Vancouver a fabulous addition to your Whistler adventures at this time of year.
Image courtesy of GayVan.com
Whistler Pride and Ski Festival runs from January 26 through February 2, 2020.
Angus Praught is president of Gayvan.com Travel Marketing, a Vancouver-based company featuring LGBTQ2+ welcoming destinations and businesses, in the Vancouver region, Canada, and beyond.
