Get ready to paint the Okanagan rainbow bright! Pride is a time to celebrate love, community, and inclusion – and the best part is that the festivities don’t stop in June! While most of Penticton and Kelowna’s events typically happen in late May and June, celebrate Vernon Pride Week, Kamloops Pride Week, and Osoyoos Pride Arts in the late summer and early fall. From the bustling city life of Kelowna to the laid-back charm of Osoyoos, the entire Thompson Okanagan is ready to celebrate.
Dazzling Events in Kelowna
Immerse yourself in the magic of Pride as Kelowna comes alive with love, laughter, and a whole lot of rainbow-infused fun! Hosting an extraordinary lineup of events that celebrate the strength and resilience of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, prepare to be captivated by drag shows, pride dances, and thought-provoking workshops. Kelowna Pride Week is hosted during the first week of June, doubling down on Pride events for the entire month!
Pride Month 2025 – May 30-June 31, 2025
Pride Month Events:
Volunteer Appreciation & Orientation Night – May 14, 2025
Kelowna’s Next Drag Superstar – May 30, 2025
Kelowna Pride March & Festival – May 31, 2025
All Wheels Welcome Ride for Pride – Jun 8, 2025
Pets for Pride Parade – June 14, 2025
Trans & Enby March & Festival – June 20, 2025
2nd Annual Two-Spirit Powwow – Jun 28, 2025
Kelowna’s Next Drag Superstar Prelims 2025 – May 2, 2025
Trans+ ID Clinic – Wednesday, May 7, 2025
Ella’s BDSM Bingo – May 7, 2025
Drag Bingo at Lakesider Brewing – May 15, 2025
Ella’s Naughty Bingo – May 21, 2025
Prohibited: A Freida Whales Drag Show at Crown & Thieves – May 24, June 28, July 26, 2025
Pride Rainbow Run 5K Social – May 27, 2025
Kelowna’s Next Drag Superstar FINALE 2025 – May 30, 2025
Raise a Glass in Penticton
Love knows no boundaries in Penticton as the community comes together to celebrate diversity with open arms. Prepare to raise your glass high at Pride in the Vines, rock your floaties at the Fruit Float, and dance the night away at the dazzling Pride Ball, where acceptance and celebration intertwine harmoniously.
Ella’s Naughty Bingo – May 22, 2025
More Pride Events TBD
A Glittering Time in Vernon
It’s time to swirl and twirl in Vernon, where Pride is celebrated with open arms! Join in on dance parties, parades, and inclusive community gatherings. Vernon takes pride in its inclusive and accepting community, and during Pride Month and Vernon Pride Week, the city shines even brighter.
Vernon Pride Week 2025 – June 2-8, 2025
Opening Ceremony – 12:00pm, June 2, 2025
Family Board Game Night – 4:00–7:00pm, June 2, 2025
Queer Rock Climbing – 5:00–9:00pm, June 2, 2025
PRIDEology Breakfast – 6:00–10:00am, June 3, 2025
Pride Pups Dog Park Meetup – 4:00–6:00pm, June 3, 2025
Rainbow Story Time – 10:30–11:00am, June 4, 2025
Youth Pride – 3:30–6:30pm, June 4, 2025
That’s Gay! Comedy Show – 7:30–10:00pm, June 4, 2025
Pride Science Party – Preschool/Kindergarten – 3:00–5:00pm, June 5, 2025
Pride Science Party – Elementary School Children – 3:00–5:00pm, June 5, 2025
From A to Zine: Teen Workshop (Ages 11–18) – 3:00–5:00pm, June 5, 2025
Two-Spirit, Trans, and Non-Binary Storytelling – 7:00–9:00pm, June 5, 2025
Ride for Pride – 3:00–5:00pm, June 6, 2025
Pride at the Park with Polson Artisan Night Market – 4:00–8:00pm, June 6, 2025
Zumba & Latin Dance Workshop – 9:00–10:30am, June 7, 2025
Zumba Class – 11:00am–12:00pm, June 7, 2025
Story Time with Autumn Horizon & Prince Pav Lov – 1:30–2:30pm, June 7, 2025
QMUNITY Picnic at the Beach – 3:00–5:00pm, June 7, 2025
Gay Cabaret & Pride Party – 7:00–11:30pm, June 7, 2025
Pride Day – Common Unity Event – 12:00–5:00pm, June 8, 2025
Pride March – 12:30–1:00pm, June 8, 2025
Ella’s Naughty Bingo – Vernon Pride Edition – June 3, 2025
A Rainbow of Events in Kamloops
Kick off the sparkly soiree in Kamloops, where a lively parade and vibrant celebrations fill the streets with love and inclusivity. Celebrate Pride Month in June, then a whole week of Pride in late August, concluding with the Kamloops Pride Parade! Join in the festivities as dazzling performances, art exhibitions, and inclusive community events create an electric atmosphere that will warm your heart.
Spring Kings and Things (Drag Show & Dance) – April 12, 2025
Pink Pony Power Hour Brunch – May 10, 2025
Ella’s Naughty Bingo – May 14, 2025
Pride Month 2025
Kamloops Pride Week – June 9-15, 2025
Youth Carnival and Ice Cream Night – June 11, 2025
Queer Club Experience – June 13, 2025
Kamloops Pride Parade – 11:00am, Sunday June 15, 2025
Pride Festival – 12:00-4:00pm, Sunday June 15, 2025
Shine Bright in Osoyoos
Last but certainly not least, Osoyoos invites you to bask in the glow of Pride festivities. From silent discos to the Pride Arts Festival, Osoyoos invites you to experience its warm embrace during Pride. Celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ stories in an environment where everyone feels accepted and valued!
Pride Arts Festival – September 6th, 2025
Osoyoos’ annual celebration of love, community, and culture, highlighting 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities through vendors, food and beverage, live performances, and fine artists. This free, family friendly festival showcases a wide range of artistic disciplines.
Mark your calendars and get ready to experience the magic of Pride in the Thompson Okanagan! This is your chance to celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance with friends, family, and the entire community. Whether you’re headed to Kamloops, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton, or Osoyoos, each destination shines through its vibrant pride events, leaving a lasting impact on both locals and visitors. Happy Pride Month, everyone! Stay tuned for more specific event details as Pride 2025 approaches.
Resources
Pride Societies
South Okanagan Similkameen Pride
LGBTQIA2S+ Events Hosts and Companies
Founded in 2017, Rebellious Unicorns is a 100% 2SLGBTQ+ owned events, broadcasting and media production company, dedicated to leading positive change in the Okanagan and curating inclusive events, experiences, and programming that bring people together.
Whalemade Productions by Freida Whales produces events, drag shows, private parties, corporate functions and more in the Okanagan. Offering a variety of acts featuring a whole pod of performers from comedians to dancers, you’re guaranteed to have a whale of a time!
The Okanagan’s first LGBT2Q+ lounge – a delicious & delightful lounge where you can find signature cocktails, upscale dishes, and fabulous entertainment. Feel at home in a place that straddles a classy VIP experience and a zany, be-yourself atmosphere.
Femme Fatale Dance is known for its fun burlesque classes, workshops and events, performing 1-3 times a month across the Okanagan. Their shows showcase confidence and artistry, offering bold, empowering performances at private events, public showcases, and festivals. With locations in Kelowna, Vernon, and Penticton, Femme Fatale continues to captivate audiences throughout Western Canada.
