It’s finally here: A chance to unite, celebrate, and – naturally – party. The Rainbow flag has been raised at Toronto City Hall and Pride Toronto month has officially kicked off in all of its colourful glory.
Of course, all month, the streets and bars in Toronto’s Gay Village will all be alive with celebration on any given night – especially come Pride Weekend on June 22-24 – but there are naturally tons of other fun events taking place throughout the city.
Here are some of the best Pride Toronto parties.
AGO First Thursdays
Toronto’s biggest weekly art party celebrates the launch of Pride Month for the third year in a row with music, performance art, and speakers. Inspired by Pride Toronto, the gallery is completely taken over with music, dance, stories and art, told through the eyes of this year’s featured artists.
When: Thursday, June 7, 7 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: Art Gallery of Ontario
U of T Pride Pub
Kick off the weekend with an outdoor party on the sprawling grounds of the University of Toronto (U of T) at the U of T Pride Pub. The two-part affair includes both a BBQ/fair and a breezy late-night dance party under the stars.
When: Friday, June 8, 4:30 pm to 1 am
Where: Hart House Quad, U of T
Cabana Pool Party
Shake off the workday and show off the results of all that pre-Pride gym action with a massive Pride party at Cabana Pool Bar, where perks include flowing cocktails, photo-worthy backdrops, and – of course – a chance to party in the pool.
When: Thursday, June 14, 6 pm to 11 pm
Where: Cabana Pool Bar
Friday Night Live: Colour ROM Proud
Party among dinosaur bones in Toronto’s famed Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) for the Pride Toronto edition of the ROM’s event series, Friday Night Live. Guests can expect a night of queer art, expression, music, dancing, food, and performance.
When: Friday, June 15, 7 pm to 11:30 pm
Where: Royal Ontario Museum
Til Sunrise
’Til Sunrise is an all-day dance party and celebration that takes over Gibraltar Point on the Toronto Island. Guests will take a chartered ferry to the lighthouse and follow the tiki lights to a hidden tropical paradise, where perks include DJs, cocktails, a special guest, art installations, and swimming.
When: Sunday, June 17, 1 pm to 9 pm
Where: Artscape Gibraltar Point, Toronto Island
AX Pride 2018
Celebrate Pride with AX Pride2018 (#gaysianpride) at Maison Mercer. Guests can expect fun shows, Instagram-worthy visuals, and the sound of DJ SUMATION spinning his eclectic mix of Top40/Kpop/Rnb
HipHop/Vocal House/EDM/Circuit.
When: Friday, June 22, 10:30 am to 3:30 am
Where: Maison Mercer
Opening Night at Yonge-Dundas Stage
Pride Weekend kicks off with a massive party right in the middle of it all at Yonge-Dundas Square. The massive free show will include drag queens, DJs, and – the highlight – a live performance from Brandy.
When: Friday, June 22, 5 pm to 11 pm
Where: Yonge-Dundas Square
Sweat Yes Yes Y’all
Dance your heart out in celebration of Pride Toronto at one of the most inclusive dance parties the city has seen.
When: Friday, June 22, 7 pm to 2 am.
Where: Wellesley Stage
Cherry Bomb Pride: Love is Electric
Toronto’s most explosive party for queer women and friends celebrates our love electric at this Official Dyke Day after party. Guests can expect DJs Cozmic Cat, Denise Benson, LL Cool Wei, Recklezz plus Spin Starlets and more.
When: Saturday, June 23, 10 pm to 3 am
Where: Mod Club Theatre
Blockorama
Hit Blockorama for a celebration of black queer and trans culture, art and music. Located on the Wellesley Main Stage, the event unites communities through 11 hours of musical performances, words, visual art, images, DJs, and dance.
When: Sunday, June 24, 12 pm to 11 pm
Where: Wellesley Stage
Find a complete list of events on the Pride Toronto website.