Photo: Vancouver Pride Society
More than just its annual parade, celebrate Pride with eight days of vibrant programming at various summer events for the 2023 Vancouver Pride Festival starting July 28 and culminating in the famous Vancouver Pride Parade on August 6. This year’s events promise to be extraordinary experiences where guests can “Reconnect” (this year’s theme) with each other and their communities.
Photo: Ale Fragoso/Vancouver Pride Society
VanPrideFest
One of the most anticipated highlights of the entire festival is the free two-day VanPrideFest outdoor event from August 5-6 at Concord Pacific Place, headlined by performances from Fefe Dobson, Coco & Breezy, Madison Rose, and Prado Monroe on the TD Main Stage.
Dance all day to lineups curated by Haus Bukuru & RiceCake and Normie Corp. Festival goers can also groove to music from Vancouver’s best DJs alongside performances by the city’s finest drag artists, including Jaylene Tyme, Batty Banks, Maiden China, Mx. Bukuru, Shay Dior, Vancouver’s Next Drag Superstar winner Genesis, and more.
This year’s larger venue will also have various zones for those wanting a more relaxed experience, including a market with local vendors, food trucks, a low sensory area, and more open spaces.
Photo: Vancouver Pride Society
Davie Street Lounge
The Bubly Davie Street Lounge (1207 Bute Street) will be a hub of queer creativity and expression, hosting a series of events that showcase the diverse talents within the community.
Queers & Beers (July 28) – Inspired by poolside hangs featuring live music by Hoodie Browns, Leo D.E Johnson, Tonye Aganaba, Sieski, and Toddy & Friends.
Summer Sampler (July 29) – An evening celebrating diverse QTBIPOC talent as DJ Softieshan curates a mesmerizing fusion of music, dance, and performance.
The Haven Take Over (July 30) – An empowering collective of talented trans artists as they illuminate the stage with their captivating performances and redefine artistic expression.
QTBIPOC Poetry Slam (July 30) – Featuring KP Dennis and hosted by Fanny Kearse, sign-ups for this poetry slam are only open to QTBIPOC poets.
One Night Stand-Up (Aug. 3) – A side-splitting comedy show presented by Comedy Here Often? and hosted by comedian Shanda Leer.
ENBY 6 & Virago Nation (Aug. 4) – An evening of performances by drag super group ENBY 6 and Indigenous burlesque group Virago Nation.
AfroQueer (Aug. 5) – Sharing Black queer art, music, and culture with the Afrodiaspora.
Queen Titans (Aug. 6) – Join drag icon Rogue as they host and curate an unforgettable showcase of drag performances by veterans and rising stars of the Vancouver scene.
Image: Vancouver Pride Society
The Parade
Join Pride for its signature event with over 100,000 other attendees! The Vancouver Pride Parade is changing its route this year to make the event more accessible for disabled people to attend. This new route and festival site are also both closer to key transportation options, making it easier for people to come from all over the Lower Mainland.
Starting this year, the parade will start at the intersection of Davie and Denman Street before proceeding down Beach Avenue and Pacific Street, where it will end at the new aforementioned festival site at Concord Pacific Place.
The parade features over 100 local community groups, non-profit organizations, businesses, and more, all showcasing their support for the 2SLGBTQAI+ communities. It includes three accessible viewing zones, six superstar hosts, and also a VIP viewing area.
Photo: Min-Kuang Lee/Vancouver Pride Society
The Vancouver Pride Society strives to produce inclusive, celebratory events and advocate for 2SLGBTQAI+ communities through an intersectional lens. Pride brings together members of these communities, their friends, allies and supporters in celebration of the unique spirit and culture of 2SLGBTQAI+ people through these events.
This year’s festival theme of Reconnect symbolizes Pride’s amplification of Queer, Trans, Black, Indigenous, and racialized voices while recognizing Pride as a larger movement that allows us to gather, celebrate, and create change.
Get the full schedule of Vancouver Pride events here.
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