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 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+LGBTQ+ 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 2024 & Kelowna Pride Week – June 1-9, 2024
Pride on the Rocks – May 31, 2024
Pride Lift + Flow – June 1, 2024
Pride Drag Brunch at the Delta Grand – June 2, 2024
Ride for Pride Cycling Event – June 2, 2024
Ella’s Naughty Bingo – June 2, 2024
Kelowna Pride Week Official Launch – June 3, 2024
Trans March and Celebration – June 5, 2024
1st Annual 2 Spirit Pow-Wow – June 6, 2024
2024 Kelowna Pride Festival – June 8, 2024
50+ Pride Picnic – June 9, 2024
Slide with Pride: Inclusion on Ice – June 28-30, 2024
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.
Pride Month 2024
Walkin’ & Rollin’ Pride Parade – June 2, 2024
Lesbihonest Comedy at the Dream Cafe – June 13, 2024
Pride in the Vines at See Ya Later Ranch – June 15, 2024
Pride Fruit Float – July 20, 2024
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.
Pride Month 2024
Pride in the Park – June 15, 2024
Vernon Pride Week – August 12-18, 2024
Opening Ceremony & Flag Raising – August 12, 2024
Queer Rock Climbing – August 12, 2024
Drag Bingo with Ella Lamoureaux – August 13, 2024
Pride Pups Dog Part Meetup – August 14, 2024
Rainbow Storytime – August 15, 2024
2-Spirit, Trans & Non-Binary Storytelling Night – August 15, 2024
Pride in the Park: Polson Market & Performances – August 16, 2024
Vernon Pride Day and March – August 17, 2024
Pride Dance Party!! With DJ Miss Demeanour – August 17, 2024
For the Love off Drag: August 17, 2024
55+ Picnic in the Park w/ Qmunity – August 18, 2024
Pride Meditation – August 18, 2024
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.
Pride Month 2024
Y2Gay Party – June 8th, 2024
Ella’s Drag Brunch: Pride Month Edition – Saturday, June 29, 2024
Kamloops Queer Film Festival: June 20-22, 2024
Kamloops Pride Week – August 19-25, 2024
Whokilledbambbi Pride Flash Event – Friday, August 16, 2024
Puzzle Competition – Sunday August 18, 2024
Hyperfixation Haven – Tuesday, August 20
Youth Dance – Wednesday, August 21
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 Month 2024
Pride Month Silent Disco at District Wine Village – June 29, 2024
Osoyoos Pride Arts Festival – September 7, 2024
Pride Arts Festival – Saturday September 7, 2024
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.
Pride Drag Show – Saturday, September 7, 2024
Join the pod for the official after party and drag show of the 2024 Pride Arts Festival, at the Sage Pub in Osoyoos! We have a fabulous cast of drag performers to entertain you all evening long. Doors at 7:30, show at 8:30. 19+ event. Get your tickets here!
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
Kamloops Pride: https://www.kamloopspride.com/
Vernon Pride: https://vernonpride.ca/
Kelowna Pride: https://www.kelownapride.com/
South Okanagan Similkameen Pride: https://www.sospride.ca/
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.
Check out their events calendar full of Drag Brunch, Cocktails and Karaoke, Dinner and Drag, and more here: https://www.fodlounge.com/kelowna/events/
