What's on this Pride Month in Hamilton and area
Events in the area are running for the entire month of June and beyond
Pride Month is here. June this year marks the 56th anniversary of the Stonewall riots, where patrons and others fought back against officers raiding the Stonewall Inn in New York City.
The riots were the catalyst for the modern 2SLGBTQ+ movement, and now, Pride marches are a staple of every June in many cities and towns.
But Pride marches are not the only events taking place this June, whether you're looking for a nice afternoon at the market or a night party, here are some events going on this Pride Month in Hamilton and area.
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Have an event to share? Email hamilton@cbc.ca
May 31 — Haldimand Norfolk Pride, Pride Niagara Kick-Off
Haldimand is celebrating Pride slightly early on Saturday, May 31.
The celebration is taking place at Powell Park in Port Dover, Ont., starting at 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., according to Pride Haldimand Norfolk.
The event will include food trucks, family fun zone, a queer and ally vendor market, entertainment and more.
Over in St. Catharines, Pride Niagara will be hosting a kick-off party to start the month "on the right foot."
The event will feature Vanessa Vanjie, a drag performer who placed 5th in Season 11 of RuPaul's Drag Race. There will also be free swag, giveaways, contests, music and more.
Tickets for the event are $25, it starts at 9 p.m. at the city's Meridian Centre
Pride Niagara will be hosting other events in June, listed below, but not their yearly Pride in the Park event, the group said in January.
The group said after "unique challenges" around discrimination and failed discussions with the City of St. Catharines, trying to make the local Pride festival into a joint initiative, Pride Niagara decided to "condense the festival" and remove the park event.
June 1 — Binbrook Pride, Sunday market, and music
Over in Binbrook, the community in will be kicking off Pride Month June 1 with their own Pride event.
The fifth annual event will be held at the Binbrook Fairgrounds from 12 to 5 p.m.
It will have drag performers, music, comedy, vendors, and more, according to Binbrook Pride.
A few kilometres north, Bridgeworks in Hamilton is hosting the Strawberry Sunday Pride Market.
The market will feature "over 20 local makers, hot dogs, ice cream, and entertainment from DJ Young Cub and Bolo Tie Line Dancing," according to the community hub.
The event starts at 12 p.m.
Sounds Gay!, which hosts open-mic music events for and featuring 2SLQBTQ+ people in Hamilton, is hosting a Pride Kick-Off Party on Sunday at Mills Hardware.
Starting at 8 p.m., tickets are $17.18. The event will feature Toronto's R. Flex, Hamilton band Sullen and local musician Sarah Bellstedt.
June 2 — Flag raising events in the Niagara Region
On June 2, municipalities in the Niagara Region will be raising the 2SLGBTQ+ flag. The flag raising events will start in Thorold at 8:45 a.m. and make their way through the region throughout the day.
The last flag raising of the day will take place at the Niagara Region headquarters at 3:30 p.m.
Pride Niagara is inviting attendees to "listen and share with our guest speakers, enjoy complimentary refreshments/snacks," and celebrate the local 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Other flag raising events that day include:
- Fort Erie at 9:00 a.m.
- Grimsby at 9:15 a.m.
- Port Colborne at 10:00 a.m.
- Welland at 10:30 a.m.
- West Lincoln at 11:30 a.m.
- Pelham at 12:15 p.m.
- Township of Wainfleet at 12:30 p.m.
- Lincoln at 1 p.m.
- Niagata-on-the-Lake at 1 p.m.
- Niagara Falls at 1:30 p.m.
- St. Catharines at 1:30 p.m.
June 4 — Niagara UNITY Awards
On Wednesday, June 4, Pride Niagara will be hosting its 12th annual Niagara UNITY Awards, which aims to recognize the "successes of individuals organizations, and groups that have made an impact for our [2SLGBTQ+] community here in the Niagara Region."
Tickets start at $63.59 for the event, which takes place at Club Roma in St. Catharines and runs from 6 to 10 p.m.
June 7 — Queer Oral Histories at the WAHC
The Workers' Arts and Heritage Centre is hosting an event highlighting Queer Oral Histories.
Caring for Queer Oral Histories: A Masterclass with Love Intersections is a three-hour workshop which "shares tools, ethics, and methods for gathering oral histories with deep care and cultural accountability."
Love Intersections is a "media arts collective made up of queer artists of colour," according to its website.
The event is free at the WAHC and runs from 1 to 4 p.m.
June 8 — annual bike ride
Queer Biking Hamilton and Hamilton Bike Share are hosting their Annual Pride Ride on June 8.
The group ride will take cyclists from Corktown Park to Bayfront Park starting at 10 a.m.
June 13 — Pride Prom
Also at Bridgeworks in Hamilton, Fruit Salad is hosting a Pop-Up Prom Party.
Fruit Salad is a group that aims to gather and celebrate "lesbians, 2SLGBTQIA+ women, femmes, gender non-conforming folks and their friends."
"Wear your best Pride gear, dress up as your queer awakening and put them In fancy dress, sweet suits, a tux, a ballgown … the dress up options are endless," said Fruit Salad in an Instagram post.
Tickets for the event are $22.50.
June 19 — Summer Pride Party at the RBG
The Royal Botanical Gardens are hosting a Pride edition of their RBG After Dark events with a Summer Pride Party.
Starting at 6:30 p.m. on June 19, the event aims to "boogie, vibe, and celebrate" the community at the RBG Rock Garden.
June 21 — Pride Day at the market, Quiet Queer Studio at the AGH
The Ottawa Street Farmers' Market is hosting a Pride Day event.
The event, running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., will have Pride flags and buttons as well as vendors selling Pride-themed products.
Downtown that day, starting at 1 p.m., the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) is hosting a Quiet Queer Studio, "a cozy station-based art hangout."
"Quiet Queer studio was designed with introverted and quieter Queer folks in mind; for those who prefer a calmer atmosphere to celebrate Pride," said the AGH, adding all queer people are welcome.
Tickets are $5 per person. The agenda for the afternoon includes button and sticker making, a community banner, "as well as opportunities to explore a variety of mediums (such as collage, watercolour, pastels)."
June 22 — Village Pride
House of Adam and Steve, alongside the International Village BIA and the City of Hamilton, are hosting a free Pride party.
The party will include a "diverse cast of drag artists," including performers from Canada's Drag Race, vendors and more.
The event will run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ferguson Station downtown.
Pride events running every weekend at Cedars campground
Cedars Camping Resort in Milgrove, Ont., is hosting events every weekend throughout the month of June.
The campground, which serves the 2SLGBTQ+ community, is kicking off the month with a Disco Weekend that ends June 1. It will also host a Kiki Weekend, a Roadhouse Weekend, and a Masquerade weekend.
Visit the Cedars Camping Resort's website for pricing.
Hamilton Public Library hosting events throughout the month
The Hamilton Public Library is running several Pride-themed events throughout the month of June, including several Rainbow Storytime events with "stories, songs and rhymes that foster acceptance and inclusion."
HPL is hosting events for all ages, including a Queer Friendship Club, a Pride Book Club for older adults, Pride Crafts, Pride Socials and more.
The library is also inviting the public to discover its LGBT2SQ+ Community Archive.
"Founded through a generous donation by Michael Johnstone, who spent over 50 years preserving Hamilton's LGBT2SQ+ history," the archive is located at the Central Library.
McMaster University Pride events
McMaster University's list of Pride events this year include a speaker session on language to support two-spirit and trans patients, a panel "exploring what true, intersectional solidarity looks like" in the community and more.
Hamilton Pride in August
2025 Pride Hamilton will take place from Aug. 8 to 10.
Not many details have been publicized yet about this year's event other than it will take place at Pier 4 Park in Hamilton.
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