July 6, 2023

Maritimes Pride Guide

From lavish parades, drag shows and comedy nights, there’s something for everyone at Pride events across the Maritimes!

June is international Pride Month and marks the start of activities across the Maritime Provinces that carry on throughout the summer. There are events planned for the entire family.

Location: Halifax Credit: Tourism Nova Scotia / Photographer: Scott Munn

JULY

• July 8 – Annapolis Royal, NS Pride Parade
• July 9 – Bridgewater, NS Pride Parade (Southshore Pride Parade)
• July 20 – Halifax, NS Pride Parade
• July 23 – Fredericton, NB Pride Parade
• July 29 – PEI Pride Parade

July is a big month in the Maritimes 2SLGBTQ+ community with Pride parades and festivities making waves from province to province. Hop in the car and drive to scenic Annapolis Royal on July 8. First stop? The Legion for a show and a dance! Drag Queens of Comedy is a hilarious, knee-slapping extravaganza. The applause never stops with performances from Shayla Shenanigans, Rouge Fatal, Elle Noir, Richard Rockhard, and more! Even better, it’s “followed by a good ole Legion dance!”

If you’re retired and driving the scenic South Shore route through the beautiful province of Nova Scotia, consider attending Mahone Bay Pride Senior’s Social on July 10 for a lovely afternoon connecting with others and telling stories. Stick around Mahone Bay and enjoy walks along the waterfront and shopping at local businesses before making the very short drive to Lunenburg on July 13 for the Queer We Go Again! Comedy Night. Come and support Lunenburg Pride’s first entirely-queer comedy night at FirkinStein Brewery.

Take the MV Fundy Rose to Saint John and then road trip your way to Fredericton for a fabulous week of Pride celebrations from July 14 – July 23. The festival kicks off at City Hall with the Flag Raising Ceremony. It’s a free, all-ages event that’s outdoors, accessible, and dry, so no rain will dampen spirits! Later that evening, Queer Then n’ Now Drag Bingo is happening at the New Brunswick Exhibition. The fun continues on July 15. Head over to Carleton Street for the Creators and Community Market. Stick around for the Ice Cream Social with Imprint Youth and indulge in some sweet treats. Then, as the sun sets, make your way to the Capital Exhibit Centre for the Freddy Beach Pride Block Party. And that’s just a taste! Throughout the week, you’ll find all kinds of exciting events, including the Foodie Drag Brunch at Odell Lodge, Pride Comedy Night at Charlotte Street Arts Center, the Gender Euphoria Hair and Nails event at the Little Hair Shoppe, the Reproductive Justice Picnic, Queer Yoga, and many others. Check out the complete list of events on their website.

With Halifax Pride and PEI Pride happening during the same week, it’s the perfect time to experience both provinces with a fun-filled, jam-packed itinerary. After the Halifax Pride Parade on July 20 consider cycling, or loading up your bike, and travelling to to PEI via Northumberland Ferries for the Queers on Gears event on July 23. End the week on a high note with Cabaret for Change on July 28, presented by DRAGX Entertainment in collaboration with PEERS Alliance and Pride PEI. This star-studded night begins with a cocktail hour at 6:30pm, followed by a meet and greet, and ends with a line-up of outstanding vocalists, comedians, and of course, drag numbers! This powerful celebration of love, acceptance, and diversity is the perfect pump-up into the PEI Pride Parade on July 29. Check out PEI Pride Activities Schedule for more details.

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER

• August 8 -13 – Saint John, NB Pride
• September 18 – 24 – Southwest Pride

As July tapers and folks are still making summer plans, there is no better way to celebrate than through the Saint John Pride festivities in August and Southwest Pride (Yarmouth, Digby, and Shelburne Counties) in September. Bring the kids on one last epic adventure for the summer or plan a voyage to support local 2SLGBTQ+owned businesses.

Hop aboard MV Fundy Rose to Saint John for a week of fun-filled family events in celebration of love, diversity, and inclusion. First on the itinerary is the flag-raising ceremony at City Hall on August 8, a time to reflect and show support for equality. Later that night, dust off your dabbers and test your luck at Drag Bingo, hosted at Kent Theatre. On August 9, make your way to the must-see Market Square for Pride-themed shopping. Finally, round off your week with a good old game of softball, Queens and Queers softball to be exact! Sign up your team or cheer from the stands during this all-skills event at Lorneville Softball Field.

Whereever you travel in the Maritimes this summer, build some Pride events into your itinerary and let Northumberland Ferries and Bay Ferries take you there. Check local libraries for drag storytimes, scan social media for flag-raising ceremonies, and consider donating to a local 2SLGBTQIA+ organization, like the Youth Project.