As Vancouver prepares for its annual Pride Parade, there are a number of other events around the city that offer a chance to celebrate.
Have a look at some of the best ways to celebrate diversity and show your Pride in Vancouver this year.
Vancouver, BC/Canada – August 5 2018 : Vancouver Pride Parade- People marching with rainbow flag / Shutterstock
Love Is Love Pride Package
The Fairmont Pacific Rim celebrates diversity with a 'Love is Love Pride Package' all summer long. Guests get a discount on the rate, as well as a chef's welcome amenity. In addition, the Fairmont hotels are donning rainbow flags and offering a number of Pride-inspired cocktails and treats.
Package Includes:
- 10% off Best Available Rate *conditions apply*
- $10 donation to the Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation (per night)
- A Chef’s welcome amenity upon arrival
The Dr. Peter AIDS Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises funds to support innovative health care at the Dr. Peter Centre in Metro Vancouver. The Dr. Peter Centre is British Columbia’s only HIV day health program and 24-hour nursing care residence.
When: This offer is available year-round, subject to availability.
Where: Fairmont Pacific Rim - 1038 Canada Pl, Vancouver
Cost: 10% off Best Available Rate
Proud and Present Vancouver
Lululemon Vancouver has teamed up with Shanique Kelly, Johny Dyer and Chris Boreland to host Proud and Present Vancouver - a sweat, music and food collaborative event on July 31. The event allows participants to get out and move at a queer-friendly event that offers fun music and delicious food. However, it is an 18+ event, and all guests must bring two pieces of ID. All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Rainbow Refugee, too.
Rainbow Refugee is a Vancouver-based, 100% volunteer-driven community group that supports people seeking refugee protection in Canada because of persecution based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression (SOGIE) or HIV status.
When: July 31 - doors open at 6:15PM and event runs from 6:30PM- 8PM
Where: The Clubhouse - 238 East 1st ave, Vancouver
Cost: Pay what you can (donation)
Tacofino Drag Bingo
Tacofino's Gastown Taco Bar, will offer four fierce rounds of interactive drag bingo on Friday, Aug. 2. Local drag queens Mina Mercury and Carlotta Gurl will host the Drag Bingo which begins at 5 p.m. for a suggested cash donation of $10. Extended Happy Hour specials will be available from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and prizes will also be up for grabs throughout the night.
When: Friday, August 2 at 5 p.m.
Where: Tacofino's Gastown Taco Bar - 15 W Cordova St, Vancouver
Cost: $10 suggested donation
Plantasia Cabaret
A brand new cabaret featuring a group of trans, two-spirit, and gender non-conforming performers will rock Vancouver's Fox Cabaret on Thursday, Aug. 1. Presented by Ghost Light Vaudeville and Vancouver’s Alternative Pride Festival, Plantasia will raise money for the Trans Alliance Society. Seattle’s award-winning choreographer and classically trained dancer, Moscato Extatique, who has just recently competed at the Burlesque Hall of Fame, will headline the show. Local Vancouver artists will also be featured throughout the evening and will offer dance, experimental theatre, music, song, spoken word, and comedy.
When: Thursday, Aug. 1. doors at 7 p.m. and show at 8 p.m.
Where: The Fox Cabaret - 2321 Main St, Vancouver
Cost: Pre-sale $15 | General Admission $30 & VIP $40
Pride After Hours at the Vancouver Aquarium
The Vancouver Aquarium invites guests to get 'freaky and fabulous' after dark on Thursday, Aug. 1 in celebration of Pride season. Guests are encouraged to don their finest, most eye-catching outfits as they enjoy high-energy drag performances and surprising animal sex talks. Pride After Hours will be open to guests 19 and older, and serve cocktails, beer, and wine. Guests will have access to the Vancouver Aquarium, including the Wet Lab, all galleries, the new 4-D movie Reef Reborn and the brilliant new butterfly exhibit (open until 8 p.m.)
“The Vancouver Aquarium celebrates diversity of all life, in and out of the oceans. Our staff and volunteers love coming together to host these extraordinary events,” says Internal Events planner Shawn Lammie. “We’re thrilled to partner with the Vancouver Pride Society, as we share many of the same values. We, too, are loud, proud and in full support of ocean conservation.”
When: Aug. 1 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Where: Vancouver Aquarium - 845 Avison Way, Vancouver
Cost: Tickets are $30 for members and $38 for non-members.
Vancouver Pride Parade
The annual Pride Parade takes place in West Vancouver around noon and offers a vibrant demonstration of love, inclusivity, and protest. Anyone with a positive and loving spirit is invited to partake in the fun.
When: Sunday, Aug. 4 at noon
Where: Vancouver's West End
Cost: Free
Really Gay History Tour
For the second year in a row, Forbidden Vancouver Walking Tours and the Vancouver PRIDE Society bring the Really Gay History Tour back to the streets. The colourful, creative and compelling tour winds its way through downtown Vancouver and the West End, highlighting some of the most significant historical sites for Vancouver’s LGBTQ2+ community. What’s more, the tour guests will discover a history of outrageous drag queens, book store bombings and the unsung heroes who forever changed the social fabric of Vancouver.
When: Tour stars at 2 p.m. During Vancouver PRIDE the walking tour runs every day between July 25 and August 7. Then every Sunday all summer.
Where: Meet outside the entrance to Vancouver City Centre SkyTrain Station on West Georgia
Cost: $35 for an adult / $32 for a senior or student. Prices do not include fees and GST
