Calgary Pride Festival
Including its largest parade ever, here’s your chance to join in and celebrate
Back and bigger than ever, this annual celebration strives to create a city free from discrimination against gender identity, expression, and sexual orientation.
The Calgary Pride Festival has outgrown its former home at Shaw Millennium Park and, thanks to this unprecedented expansion, is gearing up to take over Prince’s Island Park in the heart of downtown Calgary.
The 27th annual festival runs August 25 to September 4, 2017 with the Calgary Pride Parade and free Pride in the Park music and arts festival taking place Saturday, September 3. Featuring a new route along 6th Avenue, the signature, family-friendly parade is one of the most colourful celebrations of the year with upwards of 60,000 spectators and over 150 entries. Afterwards, take in one of Calgary’s largest free outdoor cultural celebrations featuring live music, activities for youth and children, and a marketplace.
But there’s so much more going on. Here are our top picks to check out during this year’s festival:
The Wrong Kind of Girls: 3rd Annual Pride Show
August 25, 2017, doors at 7:00pm
John Dutton Theatre, Central Library (616 Macleod Tr. SE)
$15 – $25
The Wrong Kind of Girls are always great to see perform. Topics of their original songs range from birth control and lesbian stereotypes, to the perils of dating and queer anthems. Featuring new material and old favourites, Third Time and Still Not Charming will have you laughing, groaning, and singing along.
brownpapertickets.com
Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride
August 28, 2017, 6:30 – 8:30pm
The Plaza Theatre (1133 Kensington Rd. NW)
$5
Don’t miss Bob Christie’s 2009 award-winning documentary that examines the relevance of gay pride celebrations internationally against a backdrop of opposition. Ticket price helps cover the direct costs of hosting the film with all remaining proceeds going to Camp fYrefly.
eventbrite.com
YYC Gay History Walking Tours
August 31 & September 2, 2017
Throughout Downtown & Beltline
Free, all-ages welcome
Join the Calgary Gay History Project’s Kevin Allen for these two walks highlighting significant political and social events that affected the local community.
calgaryqueerhistory.ca
Annual Premier’s Pride Brunch for Camp fYrefly
September 2, 2017, 11:00am – 1:00pm
Hotel Arts (119 12th Ave. SW)
$60 – $600, all-ages welcome
Celebrate the Calgary Pride Festival and Camp fYrefly’s fifth year in Southern Alberta at this brunch raising funds for Canada’s only national leadership retreat for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-identified, two-spirited, intersexed, queer, questioning, and allied youth.
calgarysexualhealth.ca
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
September 3, 2017, 11:30pm – 2:00am
Globe Cinema (617 8th Ave. SW)
$15, 18+ licensed event
Back by popular demand, Fairy Tales Queer Film Festival, Calgary Underground Film Festival, and Hole in the Wall Studios have once again partnered to screen this cult classic. With a live pre-show hosted by Phil and featuring performances from Fake Mustache, costumes and full audience participation is encouraged.
facebook.com
The Calgary Pride Festival runs August 25 to September 4, 2017 and the full schedule can be found at calgarypride.ca.
