Pride month need to know: Kickoff events, marches and festivals

Pride festivities are on the streets of Toronto once again starting June 1, including the Pride parade taking place on June 25.

The month-long celebrations for 2SLGBTQ+ communities and allies are to recognize what the communities have achieved and to keep pushing forward for a more inclusive and supportive Toronto.

Here’s what’s happening to kick off Pride month:

Progress Pride flag raising ceremony

On June 1, Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, members of Toronto City Council and representatives from Pride Toronto will be at the Progress Pride flag raising ceremony to kick off Pride month – taking place in four different areas of the GTA including downtown Toronto, North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke.

12:30 p.m. – Downtown Toronto – Toronto City Hall

9:00 a.m. – North York Civic Centre – Mel Lastman Square

9:00 a.m. – Scarborough Civic Centre – Albert Campbell Square

9:00 a.m. – Etobicoke Civic Centre 

Pride Toronto programming

Pride Toronto will be putting on events almost every day during the month of June, including a kickoff party, a beach clean-up, multiple film screenings and musical artists and the annual Pride Parade taking place on June 25.

Some events include:

Royal Tea – Pride Month Kickoff Party – Pride Toronto will be kicking off Pride Month programming with a drag show featuring a variety of drag stars hailing from the UK, including the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Season 3, Krystal Versace; and star of Canada vs the World, Victoria Scone.

Trans Rally & Trans March – The rally starts at 7 p.m. with the march at 8 p.m. on June 23 and will start at the intersection of Church Street and Hayden Street.

Dyke Rally & Dyke March – The rally starts at 1 p.m. with the march at 2 p.m. on June 24 and will go from Hayden St. and Church St. to Allan Gardens.

Hanlan’s Point Beach Clean-up – The event, in partnership with Birds Canada’s Ontario Piping Plover Program and Feminist Bird Club, aims to help maintain Hanlan’s Point as a safe space for birds and the queer community.

‘Til Sunset: The Beach Party – The annual party is taking place June 10, for the first time at Cherry Beach, featuring international recording artist CupcakKe and a lineup of other talented artists from the Black 2SLGBTQI+ Toronto community.

Pride Parade – The parade will start at 2 p.m. on June 25, with over 200 contingents, and over 200,000 marchers will join the 42nd commemoration in-person with a focus on a more sustainable approach with the goal to eventually host a zero-waste Pride festival.

Two-Spirit + Indigenous Pride – After the parade on June 25, 2-Spirited People of the 1st Nations and Pride Toronto will be having an Indigenous community gathering featuring activities such as a beadine circle, a sacred fire for community members, and a Two-Spirit artists market.

More Pride events near Toronto

Pride Durham: Events include the Pride Festival and Pride Parade at Arbour Park in Durham Region at 1:00 p.m. on June 4.
Brantford Pride: Runs the third week of June, including events such as Pride in the Park starting at 12:00 p.m. at Mohawk Park in Brantford.

York Pride: Opening ceremonies kick off June 16, and the York Pride parade with 2,500 marchers and over 50 floats and groups will take over Main Street in Newmarket on June 17 starting at 3:00 p.m.