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Pride Toronto: Your Local Companion for a Fun and Safe LGBTQ Festival

If there’s one festival in Ontario I always look forward to, it’s Pride Toronto. This month-long celebration is where I—and everyone I know—feel safe because the inclusivity and acceptance are just oozing!

Not to mention how fun it is! Drag Race stars performing on stage (I only see them on TV!) and a supportive environment for queer communities? No wonder I’m always there!

If you plan on celebrating Pride Month in Toronto, whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned goer, we’ve got the ultimate guide that will ensure you get a smooth and exciting experience!

What is Pride Toronto?

Pride Toronto is an annual event during the month of June, celebrating the 2SLGBTQI+ community. It’s one of the largest Pride festivals worldwide, with millions of attendees from Canada and all over the world.

This colourful festival highlights the diversity and courage of the queer community, as well as promoting equality. The festival is celebrated with parades, live music, drag shows, street fairs, and other events.

It was founded in 1981, but its history dates back to the 1970s with a picnic organised by queer activist organisations in Toronto. On June 28, 1981, 1,500 people attended Pride Day held at Grange Park.

Since then, the Pride attendees have continued to soar, reaching 150,000 people in Toronto in 1993. Fast forward to 2023, when 3 million people went to Pride Toronto.

The month-long event contributes to the community. It creates thousands of jobs for Ontarians, donates to various organisations, and helps the economy—it delivered an astronomical amount of $591 million to Ontario’s GDP in 2023.

Pride Toronto advocates for human rights for the 2SLGBTQI+ and BIPOC communities. It provides a safe space for everyone, for all genders, no matter who you love.

Where is Pride Toronto held?

pride-festival-toronto-map
Image Source: Google Maps

Pride Toronto is mainly held in the Church Wellesley Village, also known as Gay Village. But the whole celebration stretches through various places in the city, with marches and parades moving through the streets of Downtown Toronto.

What happens in Pride Toronto?

Media credit: pridetoronto

Pride Toronto is a massive celebration full of live entertainment, parades, fairs, programs, and cultural activities. It can get overwhelming if it’s your first time visiting, but don’t worry because we’ve got you covered!

Read on to see the happenings in Pride Toronto!

Pride Parades

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This is one of the coolest things you’ll see at the Toronto Pride. Thousands of people will march through the streets, donning their colourful outfits, pride flags, and banners.

In 2024, the festival saw over 250 contingents, 200,000 marchers from all over the world, and an audience of over 3 million! There are many types of parades for the queer community, as this festival welcomes everyone.

Read on to see some of the parades and what happens when you join!

Pro Tips:

Whether you’re participating in the parade or spectating, make sure you wear comfortable clothing—and yes, you can dress up! Bring a water bottle, wear a hat or sunglasses, apply sunscreen, and have fun!

If you’re a spectator, arrive early to get a good spot.

Pride March

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The main parade is the Pride March, a place to advocate for the rights of the 2SLGBTQI+ community. There are hundreds of floats, organisations offering solidarity, and public and political figures parading the streets in celebration and support.

The march is held downtown on Bloor Street, Yonge Street, Dundas Street, and Gerrard Street. It usually ends at Nathan Phillips Square. You can sign up online if you want to join the march!

Dyke Rally & March

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The annual Dyke Rally & March is for dykes and lesbians! It’s a parade along the streets in the downtown area, but this time, the lesbians are front and centre!

If you’re an ally, you’re free to join! Although it’s recommended you take your space at the back and let people who identify as dykes and lesbians celebrate in front—after all, this is a celebration for them!

After the rally and march, head over to the community fair to support dyke and lesbian artists selling art and various items. This is also a place where they can raise awareness for their respective causes.

Then, the afterparty will have you grooving all night long with live music and DJs!

Trans March

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The Trans March is a safe space to rally and march for gender nonconforming individuals. Trans, nonbinary, and Two-spirit individuals are welcome to celebrate their identities, as well as fight for and raise awareness for Trans rights.

Like other pride parades, the Trans March starts downtown. Trans and allies can join together to listen to speakers, watch performers, and join in community activities.

Everyone is encouraged to make their own signs to honour the struggles and experiences of individuals who don’t conform to gender norms.

Performances and Arts

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Everybody knows Pride Toronto is absolutely awesome! Many queer artists, local and international, join in to sing, dance, and make the crowd laugh, all while celebrating and advocating for queer rights.

There’s something for everyone and every interest, such as musical acts, drag shows, burlesque, spoken word, and dance parties! Regardless of your gender, colour, and how you identify, you’ll find a space to celebrate after the parade!

You’ll even see an impressive lineup at Pride Toronto featuring big names, local icons, and newcomers to the biz!

Pro Tip:

Listen to your body and take a break. There are so many shows at Pride Toronto that it’s impossible to see them all, so know the schedule and plan out your day to ensure you won’t be worn out.

Drag Ball

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An annual event at Pride Toronto is Drag Ball, a spectacular 9-hour affair where fantabulous drag queens and kings grace the stage for the most electrifying performances and comedic acts!

See your favourite local and international kings and queens (and discover new names!). Contestants from our favourite RuPaul’s Drag Race will sashay to the stage to dazzle you with their extraordinary talents—watch them werk it to the rhythm of queer anthems!

Previous performers include Angele Anang, who was the season 2 winner of Drag Race Thailand, Tynomi Banks, an icon in Toronto’s queer scene, and Rita Baga, a Quebec drag queen and host of Drag Race Belgique.

Skates & Sounds: Roller Drag Ball

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Time to lace up and slide to Skates & Sounds, a Pride Toronto signature event where roller skating is a must! All ages are welcome to join and party while roller skating, listening to sick beats, and watching fierce drag performances!

Yes, you’ll be entertained by talented drag queens while roller skating! Their energy and performances definitely keep the party exciting!

It’s not complete without visiting the flea market, where you can support LGBTQ vendors selling handcrafted and unique items. Don’t leave without dancing the night away with the coolest mixes from the DJ!

Art Zone

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Pride Toronto celebrates talent. At the Art Zone, you can do that as well, by showing up to support artists! Visit art installations located in various areas of the city.

Don’t miss out on the Art Zone Festival, where artists get to show their skills through competitions and exhibitions. Visitors can also check out immersive installations that add a cool twist to art displays!

Aside from admiring art, you can also support artists of the LGBTQ community by purchasing their works. You’ll find the street lined with booths selling various artwork with different themes and styles.

Family-Friendly Activities

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What’s cool about Pride Toronto is it provides a safe space for kids and youth. It offers entertainment and activities that can help them understand the LGBTQ+ community—it makes for a learning and interesting conversation, no?

Pro Tip:

If you’re bringing your children, make sure you pack extra shirts, water, and snacks for them. It can be tiring for kids to be out in the sun too long with too many things going on around them.

Family Pride

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Family Pride is a safe space for 2SLGBTQI+ families and children, where adults are only welcome if they’re coming in with kids aged 0 to 12! It’s an awesome way to celebrate Pride Month and to educate children about equality and diversity.

There are various indoor activities for kids, like storytelling by drag performers, face painting, and magic shows. It’s way different from all the hubbubs outside, which we know can be too stimulating for some children.

Youth Pride

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Pride Toronto makes way for youth talents! The Youth Pride stage welcomes performers to showcase their skills, which include drag performances, singing, dancing, and other acts!

These young performers are the future, so this is an excellent way to show support to queer youths and let them know we admire their bravery!

Community Events

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Aside from celebrations, Pride Toronto also hosts various community events to create more awareness for the 2SLGBTQI+ communities. It continues to work with organisations and groups to help represent and support queer folks.

Pro Tip:

Check Pride Toronto’s schedule for the full list of community events. Some of these you won’t see in the downtown core.

Community Connect

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To increase visibility, Community Connect goes to neighbourhoods outside the downtown core, which is the main area of Pride Toronto. This is basically like a small festival to provide a way for other places to celebrate and support queerness.

Look out for lots of performances by talented queer artists, such as spoken word, singing, and dancing. If you live in Toronto’s surrounding communities, you can visit these events without travelling downtown!

Conferences

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Since the Pride Toronto festival is all about showing support, you’ll find various conferences and talks that are catered to help the queer community with their networking opportunities.

Lots of people from various industries are here to show gays, lesbians, trans, and nonbinary how they can learn new skills, meet new people, and advance their careers. 

Aside from that, expect to find workshops that highlight advocacy. All these are tailored to help create a better tomorrow!

Where to Go for Drinks During and After Pride Toronto

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Once June hits, you’ll see many places in Toronto that celebrate Pride Month—and these venues don’t even have to be officially part of the festival! This city is diverse, you know, so there’s no shortage of LGBTQ+-friendly places to visit!

If you don’t know where to go, check out this article for our top drag show recommendations! These venues usually have something special planned during Pride month!

Pro Tip:

Hang out around the Church-Wellesley Village and you’ll surely find a gay bar to visit!

Woody’s

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Location: 467 Church St #465
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours:

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday – Friday: 3 pm – 2 am
  • Saturday – Sunday: 1 pm – 2 am

Website

It’s safe to say that Woody’s on Church is a core part of Toronto’s gay community. This hotspot has been providing a safe space for queer folks for over 35 years!

And during Pride Month, expect to see the hottest drag queens perform tantalising shows! Come around the club and see how safe and inclusive the gay community is while also partying and drinking delicious cocktails!

Sweaty Betty’s

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Location: 13 Ossington Ave
Contact: 416-535-6861
Operating Hours:

  • Monday – Friday: 3 pm – 2 am
  • Saturday – Sunday: 1 pm – 2 am

Website

This dive bar in Ossington is a queer hotspot for delicious drinks and a welcoming atmosphere. If you’re looking to celebrate Pride Month in a small bar with your fellow kings and queens, swing by Sweaty Betty’s for stiff drinks!

Take a break from the outdoors and pop in during its Pride Party for iconic performances that include musical and comedic acts! Even after Pride Toronto, you can visit during special events for drag bingo, live music, and giveaways!

Three Dollar Bill

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Location: 1592 Queen St W
Contact: [email protected]
Operating Hours:

  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday – Wednesday: 6 pm – 12 am
  • Thursday – Friday: 6 pm – 2 am
  • Saturday: 2 pm – 2 am

Website

Parkdale’s Three Dollar Bill is the kind of place that’s never boring. Even when it’s not Pride Month, there are cool happenings, like karaoke, viewing parties, open stages, and dance parties—imagine how exciting it is during Pride Toronto!

All the queer folks are welcome at this LGBTQ+-friendly hub, a safe space where you can be yourself. Take a sip of yummy cocktails, but it’s best to ask the bartender to surprise you with a drink that’s perfect for a night out!

Where to Stay During Pride Toronto

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It’s no secret that thousands of people gather in Downtown Toronto during Pride Month celebrations. If you live in the city, you’re in luck!

But if you’re visiting, we really suggest you book accommodation in advance (like, way in advance) to ensure you have a place to stay. Pride Toronto’s centre area is in Church-Wellesley Village, so look for hotels there to keep you close to the festivities.

June is peak season in Toronto—it’s summer and Pride Toronto is a month-long celebration, so expect lots of people. And if you can, ask for a higher floor to drown out all the noise.

We’ve got recommendations below, where our staff has stayed (and had a relaxing time) during Pride Toronto. You can also check out our list of short-term rentals in Toronto for affordable deals.

Courtyard Hotel

Location: 475 Yonge St
Contact: 416-924-0611
Check-in & Check-out: 4 pm & 11 am
Pricing: $$$
Website

If you want to be smack in the middle of Pride Toronto, Courtyard Hotel is worth checking into. It’s in the heart of downtown, so coming back to your room after a tiring but fun day out won’t be an issue.

The modern rooms each have a mini fridge, desk, and plush bed—perfect for a good night’s sleep before going back out to celebrate again! There’s free WiFi, a fitness centre, a bistro, and a small market for snacks and drinks.

The Annex Hotel

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Location: 296 Brunswick Ave
Contact: 647-694-9868
Check-in & Check-out: 3 pm & 11 am
Pricing: $$
Website

The Annex Hotel is right next to Bloor Street, which puts you so close to Pride Toronto happenings. You’ll also have a cool local experience since there are many shops and restaurants nearby.

It has small rooms for solo travellers and couples, as well as extra large rooms with two queen-sized beds that can accommodate up to four people. All have clean and minimalist designs and are equipped with everything you need for a comfy stay.

You should know that this hotel is not ideal for individuals with mobility issues since there’s no elevator. 

What Are Tips for Visitors and Accessibility Options

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Getting Around

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The best way to get around the city is by taking public transportation. Some roads are going to be closed during Pride Toronto, so driving downtown will be a nightmare!

Stick to buses, subways, and streetcars to get you faster from point A to point B. If you’re ravelling here and want to learn about Canada’s public transit system, check this out.

Accessibility Options

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Pride Toronto is inclusive, and that means accessibility services are provided with the help of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

There are inclusive and accessible portable washrooms, several stages will have accessibility platforms, and a sensory stage is available for a quiet and low-stimulation space. The TTC also provides Wheel-Trans drop-offs.

Plus, the Accessibility Hub offers assistance and mobility devices for those who need it.

Things to Bring

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Sure, Pride Toronto is fun, but you do need to be prepared since this is a crowded place filled with lots of high-energy activities—and in the summer! Here are the things we strongly recommend you bring:

  • Reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated.
  • Snacks to keep you energized.
  • Sunscreen and sunglasses to stay protected from the sun.
  • Comfortable shoes that won’t hurt your feet.
  • Small bag to keep all your essentials.
  • Power bank to keep your devices fully charged.
  • Cash, especially if you’re a tourist and want to avoid expensive withdrawal fees.

Safety Tips While in Pride Toronto

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For a fun and hassle-free Pride celebration, check out these tips:

  • Remember to stay hydrated! It’s easy to forget to drink water while you’re out having fun.
  • Wear sunscreen and don’t forget to re-apply!
  • Rest and pace yourself to avoid overexerting your body.
  • Keep your things safe. Don’t leave your bags unattended.
  • Always be aware of your surroundings. If you feel unsafe, leave and notify the staff.
  • Plan your day ahead. Look at the schedule and know where to go to avoid getting lost.
  • Follow the buddy system. Stay with your friends and watch each other’s backs.
  • Don’t accept drinks and recreational drugs from people you don’t know.
  • Practice safe sex! Listen and know about our partner’s boundaries.
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