By Tayvie Van Eeuwen
@tayvieeee

As we shift into the hot summer season, our local events calendar is heating up!  Check out where you can celebrate during the best month of the year: Vancouver’s Pride month.  Here’s what’s happening for Pride across the Lower Mainland.

Did we miss anything? Let us know and we can add it in!

The Really Gay History Tour: “Discover the stories, icons, and landmarks of an LGBTQ2+ community that fought back, on a stroll from downtown to the Davie Street Village.”  Join Forbidden Vancouver in partnership with Vancouver PRIDE Society for this tour packed with history.
Date: Sundays at 2:00 PM and everyday at 2:00 PM from July 22- August 4
Time: 2:00PM
Location: Vancouver City Centre Skytrain Station, Granville Street, Vancouver.  Website and tickets here.

SpiritPride 2018: Celebrating Our Gifts: A conference to celebrate LGBTQ2+ spirituality and explore identity and spiritual growth. This year’s theme is Celebrating our Gifts, aimed as “an opportunity to move beyond seeking acceptance and affirmation, to actively embracing and enacting spiritual and social gifts.” Come out and join people from all walks of life in an inclusive conference held over three days.
Date: July 27-29
Time: Take a peek at the website for specific times.
Location: 100-1022 Nelson Street, Vancouver.

Whitecaps FC Pride Night: Get loud and be proud! Join the Whitecaps for a drink at their b(qu)eer garden, watch demonstrations by their Pride partners, and witness BC place turn into a rainbow.  This an event perfect for sports fans, the LGBTQ2+ community, and allies alike.
Date: July 28
Time: 7:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Location: BC Place, 777 Pacific Boulevard, Vancouver.  More information on the event page.

Pride Week at Eastside Studio:  Celebrate pride with full access to 7 days of fabulous East Van queer events over Vancouver Pride week!  Starting on July 29, enjoy a different event each day with an LGBTQ2+ focus.
Date: July 29- August 6
Time: Visit Eastside Studio’s Facebook calendar for individual event details here.
Location: Eastside Studio, 550 Malkin Avenue, Vancouver.

Massy Pride! by Mass Books: Hang out at Chinatown’s Massy Book Store for their our first ever Pride event! The evening includes drag from local up-and-comers and readings by local LGBTQ2S poets ( Adele Barclay, Gemma Lee, David Ly, Josh Gradilone, Jane Shi). Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages will be for sale!
Date: August 1
Time: 8:00 PM-10:00 PM
Location: Massy Books, 229 E Georgia St, Vancouver. More information available on Facebook here.

QueerProv Friday: Pride Fruit Bowl: With a full queer cast, QueerProv gives you live, unscripted comedy.  Come out and enjoy a night of improv with friends!
Date: August 3
Time: 8:00 PM- 9:30 PM
Location: XYVR, 1216 Bute Street, Vancouver.  Check out the event page here.

Vancouver Pride with Queer as Funk: “Queer as Funk is renowned for its tight rhythm section, hot horns, and killer vocals, bringing together the city’s best musicians in an explosive, high-energy dance band.” Celebrate five years of Queer as Funk with a night of incredible music accompanied by a huge dance party.
Date: August 3
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: The Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville Street, Vancouver.  Tickets and event info can be found here.

Chicks Ahoy! Pride Boat Cruise Party: Kick off Pride weekend with a fun-filled maritime evening! This party will feature three floors, a 360-degree walkway of panoramic views, and a never ending supply of music and dancing.  There is no better way to embark on Pride weekend.
Date: August 3
Time: 7:00 PM- 11:00 PM
Location: Magic Spirit, 750 Pacific Boulevard Dock A, Vancouver.  

Stars of RuPaul’s Drag Race:  “The cocktails are flowing, the music is playing, and the party is in full swing.” Spend the weekend with prior RuPaul stars Kim Chi and Pearl and celebrate Pride in the sauciest way possible! Festivities will include performances by the Brat Pack and music by international award winning DJ Dickey Doo.  
Date: August 3
Time: 8:00 PM- 2:00 AM
Location: The sixth floor patio at Parq Vancouver, 39 Smithe Street, Vancouver.  More information here.

YouthCo’s Pride Pancake Breakfast: YouthCo is hosting a free pancake breakfast for all ages as an easy way to celebrate Pride season! This morning event will feature catered food, arts and crafts, music, board games and more.
Date: August 4
Time: 11:00 AM- 2:00 PM
Location: Mpowerment Headquarters, 568 Seymour Street.  Check out the event page here.

Delta Pride Picnic: This year’s first Delta Pride event is “an opportunity for LGBTQ2+ families, individuals, and allies to come together and celebrate diversity and inclusion in Delta.”  This family-friendly event is designed to put a fun spin on the classic “picnic in the park”.
Date: August 4
Time: 3:00 PM- 6:00 PM
Location: Memorial Park, 5010 47 Avenue, Delta.  Event page can be found here.

Pride Parade: “A celebration. A protest. A party. A place to take up space. An opportunity to don our finest and shiniest. A chance to recognize how far we have come and reflect on where we need to go from here”.  This years 40th Annual Pride Parade is an open invitation to all of Vancouver to come and celebrate diversity. You don’t want to miss out on this day of festivities!
Date: August 5
Time: 12:00 PM- 3:00 PM
Location: Find out about the parade route and viewing areas on Vancouver Pride’s website.

Pride Parade Patio Brunch 2018: Presented by Whole Foods Market Robson: “Enjoy one of the best patio views of the 2018 Vancouver Pride Parade while enjoying freshly prepared breakfast, coffee,mimosas, a VIP gift bag, and much more.”  All of the funds raised will be put towards QMUNITY programs and services.
Date: August 5
Time: 10:00 AM- 1:00 PM
Location: Whole Foods Market, 1675 Robson Street, Vancouver.  Find tickets here.

Pride Hershe Bar – Closing Party with Stephanie Rice (The Voice):  The Mother of All Pride Parties–“2 Clubs. 10 DJs. 3 Rooms. 3 Vibes. 1 Party.” One ticket gets you into both Pride-pumping venues, featuring Stephanie Rice from The Voice, Rose Garcia from The Real L Word, and a bevy of international and local DJs: Zehno (Miami), Dopamine (Calgary), Kookum (Vancity), Riki Rocket (UK), Miss M (Dinah), Slade (Queer as Funk) & Carolina Campos (Vancity) to name a few.
Date: August 5
Time: 9:00 PM- 2:00 AM
Location: Red Room Ultra Bar 398 Richards St., Vancouver AND MIA 350 Water St., Vancouver;  $20 Early Bird / $25 Regular. Limited door admission available. Please arrive early.

Chicas in the Afternoon: This annual party is known as a Pride favourite. Set in the beautiful garden at the Sheraton Wall Centre, with two dance floors and five DJ’s, you don’t want to miss this memorable evening!  
Date: August 5
Time: 4:00 PM- 9:00 PM
Location: Sheraton Wall Centre, 1088 Burrard Street, Vancouver.  All of the information here.

Hustla: Emerald Pride: Come out and join a Vancouver LGBTQ2+ night of hip hop at this East Van jewel.  Expect a night of partying mixed with new friends, fun, and good music.
Date: August 5
Time: 8:00 PM
Location: The Emerald, 555 Gore Avenue, Vancouver.  Full event details here.

Vancouver Queer Film Festival:  As the second largest film festival and largest queer arts event in Western Canada, Vancouver Queer Film Festival is a unique community event.  For 11 days this August, catch films, watch performances, and join in on workshops, panel discussions, parties, and more. With over 70 films from 15 countries, this years festival is bound to be incredible.
Date: August 9-19
Time: Check out dates and times on VQFF’s website here.
Location: Various Vancouver venues.

New West Pride Street Party: Don’t miss this event situated on New West’s historic Columbia Street. This full-scale street party will be filled with free fun and festivities all afternoon long! Check out this website for the full calendar and information on the entire New West Pride week.
Date: August 18
Time: 3:00 PM- 8:00 PM
Location: Columbia Street, New Westminster

A self-declared witch, Tayvie spends her time with all things magic. She loves a good sunset, iced coffee, and every known essential oil. Catch her chilling with her black-cat sidekick, Shadow, and hiding by the ocean. Look for her bold eyebrows and vintage style, and you’re bound to find her.