The Halifax Pride Festival from July 18 to 28 has no shortage of saucy events to get you into the spirit. Highlights include The Dykes vs. Divas softball game is on July 21, followed by the popular Pride Parade on July 27.
The festival is in its 26th year, offering entertainment and awareness for the LGBTQI community. Through lectures, art exhibits, music and talent shows, the Halifax Pride Festival brings the city together to spread the word on acceptance, equality and diversity. This year’s theme is “Your City, Your Pride.” Expect to see a lot of local acts.
Starting things off is the raising of the rainbow flag and a reception with Mayor Mike Savage on July 18. Some events are free while others will have proceeds going to Halifax Pride, the Youth Project and the East Coast Rainbow Softball Association. halifaxpride.com —ALICE BAUER
Below are the official events.
Thursday July 18
Rainbow Flag Raising at City Hall & Mayor’s Reception
Grand Parade Square | 5pm-7pm | Free
QUEER ACTS Theatre Festival
Bus Stop Theatre | 2203 Gottingen Street | 6pm-11pm
Proceeds to Halifax Pride
Friday July 19
QUEER ACTS Theatre Festival
Bus Stop Theatre | 2203 Gottingen Street | 6pm-11pm
Proceeds to Halifax Pride
Cosmic Drag Queen Bingo
Halifax Forum Super Bingo | 2901 Windsor Street| 10pm-midnight
4 games | 3 cards for $8 or 6 for $15 | Proceeds to Halifax Pride
Hosted by the Lovely Contessa with special guest performances from some of Halifax’s Best Drag Acts.
Rewind 80’s and 90’s Dance Party
Menz Bar | 2182 Gottingen Street | 9pm-closing
$10.00 | Door proceeds to Halifax Pride
Saturday July 20
QUEER ACTS Theatre Festival
Bus Stop Theatre | 2203 Gottingen Street | 6pm-11pm
Proceeds to Halifax Pride
Sunday July 21
Dykes Vs Divas Softball Game
Halifax Commons | Canada Games Diamond | 2pm-4pm
Free admission; bar proceeds to East Coast Rainbow Softball Association
QUEER ACTS Theatre Festival
Bus Stop Theatre | 2203 Gottingen Street | 6pm-11pm
Proceeds to Halifax Pride
Monday July 22
Vigil in partnership with the AIDS Coalition of Nova Scotia
Spring Garden Road Library front lawn | 7:30pm | Free
Tuesday July 23
TimeOUT Lectures presented by NSRAP in partnership with Halifax Pride ‘Queer Health Research – What is it and why does it matter?’
Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library
5381 Spring Garden Road | Free
Sponsor thank you Reception
Lord Nelson Hotel | 1515 South Park Street | 5pm-7pm | Free
Wednesday July 24
TimeOUT Lectures presented by NSRAP in partnership with Halifax Pride ‘Queer Spiritual Paths’ Presented by Brenda Hattie and Brenda Beagan
Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library
5381 Spring Garden Road | 12noon-1pm | Free
The Youth Project screening of Mean Girls
Oxford Theatre | 6408 Quinpool Road | 4:30pm
Free with all donations to the Youth Project
Out Boating Party Cruise–on a NEW DATE!
Tall Ship Silva docked at Halifax Harbour | 10pm-12:30am
$30.00 | Proceeds to Halifax Pride
Thursday July 25
TimeOUT Lectures presented by NSRAP in partnership with Halifax Pride ‘Talking Trans’ Presented by Nolan Pike
Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library
5381 Spring Garden Road | 12noon-1pm | Free
The Youth Project Screening of Tomboy
Oxford Theatre | 6408 Quinpool Road | 4:30pm
Free with all donations to the Youth Project
Halifax Pride SongWriters’ Circle
Company House | 2202 Gottingen Street | 8:30pm
$10/$12 at door | Proceeds to Halifax Pride
Performing is host Irish Mythen, Breagh MacKinnon, Ria Mae and Jess Healey.
Friday July 26
TimeOUT Lectures presented by NSRAP in partnership with Halifax Pride ‘Lies, Damned Lies… and Activism’ Presented by Kevin Kindred
Spring Garden Road Memorial Public Library
5381 Spring Garden Road | 12noon-1pm | Free
Out Boating evening Cruise–on a NEW DATE!
Harbour Queen docked next to Murphy’s Restaurant on the Halifax Harbour
6-8pm | $30.00 | Proceeds to Halifax Pride
OUT Dancing with Rich Aucoin
Garrison Grounds | Citadel Hill | 8pm-1:30am
$10 in advance/$15 at gate
Saturday July 27
26th Annual Halifax Pride Parade
Downtown Halifax (Lower Water St. to Barrington St. to Spring Garden Rd. to South Park) | Parade judging area at Lord Nelson Hotel 1515 South Park | 1pm-3pm | Free
Halifax Pride festival stage and community fair
Garrison Grounds | Citadel Hill | 3pm-6:30pm | Free
Follow the parade to the Garrison Grounds where the Halifax Pride Festival Stage will feature an afternoon of performances from Heather Green, Kelly and the Kelly Girls, Big Fish and our hostess, Rouge Fatale!
Kids Can Children’s Area and activities
Garrison Grounds | Citadel Hill | 3pm-6pm | Free
WetSpot Dance in partnership with Halifax Pride
Garrison Grounds | Citadel Hill | 9pm-1:30am | $16/$20 at gate
Proceeds to Halifax Pride
Sunday July 28
Family Day Picnic and a Play (Snow White)
11am – Picnic | 1pm – Showtime | Point Pleasant Park
