Happy Pride, Victoria!
It’s time to celebrate inclusion, love in all of its forms and the power of community and support with a variety of activities happening throughout June and into July.
This year, exceptional events such as the Big Gay Dog Walk and Intrepid Theatre’s Drama Club kicked off Pride month, and have paved the way for many more.
Get out your rainbow gear, gather your loved ones and start getting excited for the upcoming Pride activities, such as the Memorial Drag Ball Game, the famed Victoria Pride Parade and Festival, as well as others!
Whether it’s hosted by Victoria Pride Society or organizations throughout the city, there’s bound to be something fabulous for everyone.
Without further ado, here’s 11 Pride events happening in and around Victoria (and a couple further up the island) for Pride 2025:
Specific dates:
Youth Queer Prom
Taking place at KWENCH, this Youth Queer Prom is the perfect place for young adult to meet like-minded people and celebrate together!
There will be a bubbly drinks and light snacks, as well as a local resident DJ ready to play favourite dance party anthem.
Tickets are free and required upon entry.
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- Where: KWENCH, 2031 Store Street Suite A
- When: Thursday, June 12th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cowichan Pride Dance
Cowichan Pride Society is hosting “Prom!”—a 19+ Pride dance.
Pull out your best prom outfit and bring all of your best pals for an evening of dancing, drinks, food for purchase, 50/50 ticket draws and more.
They’re licensed and have a cash bar available.
Tickets are $30 and can be purchased via Eventbrite.
- Where: The HUB at Cowichan Station, 2375 Koksilah Road Duncan
- When: Friday, June 20th from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Pride Ride in Esquimalt
Esquimalt Parks and Recreation are hosting a free Pride Ride, where everyone is invited to celebrate the LGBTQ2S+ community with this fun bike ride!
The bike ride is a 7-8 kilometre loop around Esquimalt, and riders are encouraged to dress in fun, bright colours and decorate their bikes.
After the ride, participants and spectators are welcome to come by Memorial Park for a picnic, where there’ll be local food trucks, lawn games and more!
- Where:
- Ride: Begins at the Esquimalt Rec Centre, 527 Fraser Street
- Picnic: Memorial Park, 1200 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt
- When: Friday, June 20th from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Duncan Pride Parade
If you’re up for a little adventure out of Victoria, join Duncan in their Pride March!
It starts at Duncan’s Vancouver Island University Campus (VIU Cowichan), and goes along Duncan Street, ending at the Pride Festival in City Square.
There will be local vendors, live performances, food and drinks, and plenty of people in their Pride best!
- Where: Begins at VIU Cowichan, 2011 University Way, North Cowichan
- When: Sunday, June 22nd from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Memorial Drag Ball Game
Don’t miss the Memorial Drag Ball Game—one of Victoria Pride’s signature events!
Stop by Vic West Park and cheer as loud as you can for your local stars. Come for the baseball, community picnic, laughs, and stay for the community!
- Where: Vic West Park, 95 Bay Street
- When: Tuesday, July 1st at 12 p.m.
Pride in the Word
Join Victoria Pride Society for a night of Queer Literary Readings!
They have a multitude of great writers and speakers who will be presenting their work for the audience.
Keynote speakers include Tanya Boteju and Ivan Coyote, and the presenters will be announced soon.
All tickets are on a pay-what-you-can model, with a suggested donation of $10 to $40.
- Where: Lecture Theatre at Victoria Conference Centre, 720 Douglas Street
- When: Thursday, July 3rd at 7:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:30 p.m.)
Caffe Fantastico Unplugged: Victoria Pride Week Edition
On Friday, July 4th, Caffe Fantastico is hosting another Unplugged Gathering, and because it’s happening during Pride Week, they wish to especially welcome the LGBTQ2S+ community and allies!
The focus of these events is to take an intentional evening away from screens and notifications. Bring your craft supplies, favourite games and books you’ve been meaning to finish.
If you’re looking to chat, enjoy in-person conversation and genuine connections while snacking on cafe food options and sipping on a beverage!
Entry is by donation, starting at $5.
- Where: Caffe Fantastico, 965 Kings Road
- When: Friday, July 4th from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Victoria Pride Parade and Festival
This year’s Pride Parade is on Sunday, July 6th, and is a highly-anticipated event in Victoria!
This large, colourful parade has as many as 140 entries and over 70,000 spectators, so don’t miss your chance to dance, cheer and witness such a beautiful display of support and love.
The parade route will be announced soon!
The parade ends at McDonald Park in James Bay, which is where the Pride Festival will take place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Every year, this festival features performances across a wide variety of mediums, plenty of food trucks and beverages, and more!
- Where:
- Parade: Route to be announced soon!
- Festival: McDonald Park in James Bay, 212 Niagara Street
- When: Sunday, July 6th
- Parade:
- Festival: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ongoing LGBTQ2S+ events
Kennel Club Karaoke at Vicious Poodle
Check out the Vicious Poodle’s Kennel Club Karaoke, taking place every Tuesday, and hosted by Henrietta Dubét.
Grab your pals and make sure you grab a table as soon as you can and put your songs into the karaoke rotation—spots fill up fast!
- Where: Vicious Poodle, 726 Johnson Street
- When: Every Tuesday
Drag Bingo at Vicious Poodle
The Vicious Poodle is well known across the city and is said to host some of the most interactive and enjoyable gay bar experiences!
They have plenty of events throughout the week, including their loved Drag Bingo taking place every Wednesday.
Grab your pals and make sure you grab a table as soon as you can—spots fill up fast!
- Where: The Vicious Poodle, 726 Johnson Street
- When: Every Wednesday
Dinner & Drag
Friends of Dorothy hosts Dinner & Drag every Friday!
It features a delicious three-course meal and fabulous local drag performers, hosted by the fabulous Queen Mina Mercury, for the ultimate dining experience.
You can make a reservation online here.
- Where: Friends of Dorothy, 537 Johnson Street
- When: Every Friday
Are we missing something? Let us know in the comments, or by emailing us at tips@victoriabuzz.com.
