From gardens and parks to the Big Gay Dog Walk, the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Victoria is celebrating all summer
Photo by Colin Smith.
Pride in Victoria has evolved quite a bit since the first Victoria Gay Pride Week was held in 1981, but one thing that has stayed the same is the sense of community it creates.
If you don’t want Pride to end, here are some ways to keep celebrating the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Victoria all summer long.
Saanich Pride in the Park
On Wednesday June 17, the District of Saanich is hosting their fifth annual Pride celebration from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in Beckwith Park. This free, all-ages event will have games, food trucks, and entertainment, including drag storytime, music, opera, and drag performances, and a DJ.
Gay in the Garden
Gay in the Garden is back again this year, organized by the UVSS Pride Collective in collaboration with the Campus Community Garden (CCG) and the Gender Empowerment Centre (GEM). The event runs from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. in the Campus Community Garden on Friday June 19, with a local vendor market until 5:00 p.m. and bands from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Drag Bingo at the Grad House
On Tuesday June 23, join UVic students, faculty, and staff for Drag Bingo at the Grad House Restaurant. Enjoy a combination of bingo and drag performances, featuring Ket Bush and Vivian Vanderpuss, winner of Miss Congeniality on Canada’s Drag Race season 3. Doors open at 4:30p.m. and the show starts at 5:00 p.m. Plus, the last performance of the night will raise funds for the GEM at UVic.
Memorial Drag Ball Game
Get ready to cheer on your favourite local drag performers at the annual Memorial Drag Ball Game in Vic West Park on Wednesday July 1 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
This free event began in the mid-1990s during the HIV/AIDS crisis when a group of friends, including several drag performers, were grieving the loss of their friends and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Today, the Memorial Drag Ball Game brings in up to 1 000 spectators to enjoy baseball, have a picnic, and build a sense of community.
Big Gay Dog Walk
Back for another year, the Big Gay Dog Walk is a fan favourite in Victoria. Join dog owners — and dog lovers who might not have a dog but still want to enjoy the festivities — on Wednesday July 8 in Banfield Park in Vic West at 5:30 p.m. for this free event.
Before taking a scenic group walk along the Gorge Waterway, you can enjoy local vendors, food trucks, and dog costume and trick competitions.
Photo by Colin Smith.
PRIDE–A-LICIOUS Comedy & Variety Show
On Thursday July 9, get ready to laugh at the PRIDE-A-LICIOUS Comedy & Variety Show, presented by Gay AF Comedy. Hosted by local drag performer Lilith Cain, the night opens with local stand-up comedian and UVic alum Julya van Der Sloot and social media sensation Nico Marchant. The headliner is writer, entertainer, and showmaker Robert Watson, Canadian Comedy Award winner and host of Gay AF Comedy.
Tickets are $23 in advance or $30 at the door, if any remain. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30p.m.
Pride Parade and Festival in the Park
No list of pride events would be complete without Victoria’s Pride Parade, an annual tradition that began in 1994 and now brings in over 80 000 spectators. This year the parade will be held on Sunday July 12 at 11:00 a.m. in downtown Victoria.
After the parade, head over to McDonald Park in James Bay for the Pride Festival in the Park. Exact details are still to come, but in previous years there have been activities for the entire family, including over 130 vendors, local food, both traditional and sober bars, drag storytime, and bouncy castles. Want to enjoy the festival with less stimulation? The grounds will open at 11 a.m. for anyone who wants to explore before the parade ends.
Queers & Beers YYJ
Since 2022, Queers & Beers YYJ have been hosting social events for 2SLGBTQ+ to enjoy craft beer, wine, spirits, or non-alcoholic beverages in a welcoming space. Join Queers & Beers for patio season this summer on Wednesday June 24 at Whistle Buoy Brewing Company, Thursday July 23 at Herald Street Brew Works, and Tuesday August 18 at Phillips Brewing. These monthly events — which are also offered throughout the year — run from 5:00 p.m. to around 7:00 p.m.
Drag Brunch
If you’re looking to celebrate pride any month of the year, The Vicious Poodle has drag brunch every Saturday and Sunday. Brunch is hosted by a rotating cast of local drag performers like Shelita Cox, Vivian Vanderpuss, and Henrietta Dubet, so check out The Vicious Poodle’s Instagram to find out who is performing. Doors open at 11 a.m. and the show starts at 12 p.m., but tables are limited so make sure to make a reservation!
