Calgary Pride is right around the corner, and with 10 full days of events to check out, it’s about time to figure out your next week and a half.
The festivities start on Friday, August 24 and will run until Sunday, September 2 — which is also when the highly anticipated Pride Parade will take place.
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There are plenty of things to do each and every day, so to make things a little easier for you we decided to condense all the events into just one straight-forward list.
Enjoy!
Calgary Pride Flag Raising
What: Watch as the Pride flag is raised and listen to speeches by leaders in the community.
When: Friday, August 24, 2018
Time: Noon to 3 pm
Where: Municipal Plaza — 800 MacLeod Trail SE
Admission: Free
Paddle Station’s Calgary Pride Raft on the Bow 2018
What: Take a float along the Bow River while representing the community with flags and accessories provided by Paddle Station.
When: Friday, August 24 to Sunday, August 26, 2018
Time: Starts at 1 am on Friday
Where: Shouldice Park — 4900 Monserrat Drive NW
Cost: $50 to 140
Gayger III
What: A party complete with live music and a drag show — all proceeds go towards the pride scholarship at Mount Royal University.
When: Friday, August 24, 2018
Time: 9:30 pm to 2:30 am
Where: Twisted Element — 1006 11th Avenue SW
Admission: $5
Pride tailgate with the Calgary Stamps
What: There’s a Pride-sponsored tailgate party before the Calgary Stampeders game on Saturday, August 25.
When: Saturday, August 25, 2018
Time: 11 am to 12:30 pm
Where: McMahon Stadium — 1817 Crowchild Trail NW
Admission: Free
Calgary’s Rainbow Railroad Station Launch
What: Grab some food, partake in a silent auction, and celebrate the launch of the Rainbow Railroad Station’s campaign to assist LGBTQ+ refugees.
When: Saturday, August 25, 2018
Time: 11:30 am to 3 pm
Where: End of the Rainbow Foundation — #4 1515 Centre Street S
Admission: Suggested donation
Pride Outdoor Swim
What: The Stanley Park Pool has been reserved for a Pride swim alongside the men of the Fellowship of Alberta Bears (FAB).
When: Saturday, August 25, 2018
Time: 7:15 to 9:30 pm
Where: Stanley Park Pool — 4a Street SW and Riverdale Avenue SW
Admission: $10
Pride in Vic Park: Youth and Senior Tea Social and History Walk
What: Attend an intergenerational afternoon tea and a history walk led by Kevin Allen.
When: Saturday, August 25, 2018
Time: 12:30 to 2:30 pm
Where: Calgary Public Library — The Central Library 616 MacLeod Trail SE
Admission: Free
Pride Block Party ft. Neighbour
What: Check out some live music at the ContainR site in Sunnyside.
When: Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: ContainR Site in Sunnyside — 1010 2nd Avenue NW
Admission: Free
Queer Country Line Dancing
What: Learn how to line dance with a beginners’ workshop courtesy of expert dancers.
When: Tuesday, August 28, 2018
Time: 7 to 8:30 pm
Where: Dickens Pub — 1000 9th Avenue SW
Admission: Free
Pride City/Deep Roots 9
What: Check out this celebration from the SHARP Foundation at the always-enjoyable Broken City.
When: Tuesday, August 28 to Sunday, September 2, 2018
Time: 7 pm to 9 pm
Where: Broken City — 613 11th Avenue SW
Admission: By donation
Halsey concert
What: This concert is a can’t miss — especially because it is during Pride!
When: Saturday, August 28, 2018
Time: 8 to 11 pm
Where: MacEwan Hall — 2500 University Drive NW
Admission: $55
Free gelato from ATB and Fiasco Gelato
What: Grab yourself a scoop of free gelato on Wednesday.
When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Where: ATB — 102 8th Avenue SW
Admission: Free
Pride: A Conversation
What: This event features a discussion that is open to everyone and includes a panel of seven LGBTQ+ Calgarians.
When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Time: 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Where: West Hillhurst Community Association — 1940 6th Avenue NW
Admission: Free
Calgary Pride Fundraiser
What: Grab 35 cent wings and $4 beer to help raise funds for the Pride events.
When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Time: 6 to 9 pm
Where: Upper Deck Public House — 1104 6th Avenue SW
Reversed Racism — Pride Yourself
What: A showcase of LGBTQIA2+ BIPOC that includes a panel followed by a show.
When: Thursday, August 30, 2018
Time: Starts at 7:30 pm
Where: Dickens Pub — 1000 9th Avenue SW
Admission: $15
Sashay, Fillet
What: Mix Culinary skills with drag and you’ve got yourself this wonderful event, featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race’s Yuhua Hamasaki.
When: Thursday, August 30, 2018
Time: 7 to 11 pm
Where: Hotel Arts — 119 12th Avenue SW
Admission: $60
Pink Flamingo Pride Pinball Party
What: Enjoy a night of Pinball and drinks at the Pin-Bar at an event put on by Pink Flamingo YYC.
When: Wednesday, August 29, 2018
Time: 8 pm to 2 am
Where: Pin-Bar — 501 17th Avenue SW
Admission: $10
Naked Girls Reading Presents: Pride
What: Join Naked Girls Reading for a Pride-themed evening of LGBTQ+ authors, themes, and readers.
When: Thursday, August 30, 2018
Time: 10 pm
Where: Twisted Element — 1006 11th Avenue SW
Admission: $15
Girls on Deck: Up All Night Pride Party
What: Go-go dancers, stripteases, and some awesome DJs are expected at this Twisted Element event.
When: Thursday, August 30, 2018
Time: 9 pm to 2:30 am
Where: Twisted Element — 1006 11th Avenue SW
Admission: $7
Otahpiaaki Closing Weekend
What: Head over to East Village Junction to check out the closing weekend of Otahpiaaki.
When: Friday, August 31 to Sunday, September 2, 2018
Time: 5 pm
Where: East Village Junction — 439 8th Avenue SE
Admission: Free
Unity in Uniform 2018
What: Say thank you to the service people who keep the community safe.
When: Friday, August 31, 2018
Time: 6 to 10 pm
Where: The Bank and Baron Pub — 125 8th Avenue SW
Pride Shabbat Dinner and Services
What: Head over to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs for a community Shabbat dinner to celebrate Pride Week.
When: Friday, August 31, 2018
Time: 6:30 to 10 pm
Where: Temple B’nai Tikvah — 900 47th Avenue SW
Admission: $10 to $18
CMC Sing-Along: “The Greatest Showman”
What: Join the Calgary Men’s Chorus for a singalong of this musical movie.
When: Friday, August 31, 2018
Time: 7 to 9 pm
Where: Globe Cinema — 617 8th Avenue SW
Admission: By donation
Outliers: Calgary’s Queer History Screening (Director’s Cut)
What: Watch a free showing of a documentary showing the history of Calgary Pride and how it became the event that it is today.
When: Friday, August 31, 2018
Time: 7 to 10 pm
Where: Venue — 1221 2nd Street SW
Admission: Free
All-Star Pride Weekend — LUST
What: A night of dancing, music, and drag stars!
When: Friday, August 31, 2018
Time: 8 pm to 3 am
Where: Twisted Element — 1006 11th Avenue SW
Admission: $15
Calgary: FAB Bear Pride
What: The Fellowship of Alberta Bears is having a Pride party and the Palomino Smokehouse for a Pride BEEF Bash.
When: Friday, August 31 and Saturday, September 1, 2018
Time: 9 pm
Where: The Palomino Steakhouse and Social Club — 109 7th Avenue SW
Admission: $15
Pride Friday Divas at Backlot
What: Take your talents to the stage at The Backlot for a drag show that is open to performers.
When: Friday, August 31, 2018
Time: 10 pm to 3 am
Where: The Backlot — 209 10th Avenue SW
Admission: Free
Aquaria and Asia: Pride 2018
What: Check out the Palace Theatre on Friday to see two of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 stars.
When: Friday, August 31, 2018
Time: 9 pm to 2 am
Where: The Palace Theatre — 219 8th Avenue SW
Admission: $40 to $65
HY DRA TION vol. 8: Dyke and Trans MARSH
What: This all-ages afterparty will be lighting it up at TRUCK Contemporary Art on Saturday.
When: Saturday, September 1, 2018
Time: 9:30 pm to 2:30 am
Where: TRUCK Contemporary Art in Calgary — 2009 10th Avenue SW
Admission: $5
Pure Pride Calgary starring: Kameron Michaels – Mz Cracker-Eureka
What: This Pride Party will feature three of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 contestants alongside international DJs and local performers.
When: Saturday, September 1, 2018
Time: 9 pm to 2 am
Where: The Palace Theatre — 219 8th Avenue SW
Admission: $40
All-Star Pride Weekend — WRATH
What: A night of dancing, music, and drag stars!
When: Saturday, September 1, 2018
Time: 8 pm to 3 am
Where: Twisted Element — 1006 11th Avenue SW
Admission: $15
Pride in the Park
What: One of Calgary’s largest free outdoor celebrations is back at Prince’s Island Park right after the Pride Parade. Expect music, dancing, drinks, and food.
When: Sunday, September 2, 2028
Time: 11 am to 6 pm
Where: Prince’s Island Park
Admission: Free
Calgary Pride Parade 2018
What: The biggest event of the entire week, the Calgary Pride Parade is expected to see upwards of 75,000 spectators and over 190 entries.
When: Sunday, September 2, 2018
Time: 11 am to 1 pm
Where: Starts at 350 6th Avenue SE
Admission: Free
FUSE
What: This 18+ event will feature Nic Nemesis, Kloves, Knows, and BLKFT.
When: Sunday, September 2, 2018
Time: 9 am to 2 pm
Where: Habitat Living SOund — 1217 1st Street SW
Admission: TBD
Hot Mess Pride 2018
What: Two dance floors will be running at the Commonwealth Bar all night for this event, which will feature AJA in her Calgary debut.
When: Sunday, September 2, 2018
Time: 9 pm to 2 am
Where: Commonwealth Bar and Stage — 731 10th Avenue SW
Admission: $36 +