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🏳️🌈 Sunday, June 14 – Pride Parade & FestivalTime & Location: Parade at 11:00 AM through Downtown Nanaimo (Parade route: Fitzwilliam St. → Bastion Street Bridge → Commercial St. → Church St. → Front St. → Maffeo Sutton Park); Festival from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM at Maffeo Sutton Park
Overview: (All Ages) Get ready for the biggest, brightest, queerest day of the year. This year marks 10 years of the Nanaimo Pride Parade & Festival as we know it today and 30 years since our community first took to the streets in 1997. From protest to parade, resistance to celebration, our Pride has always been about community—and this year, the party is bigger than ever. Join us for a full day of 2SLGBTQIA+ joy and connection. Open to all ages and free to attend.
The parade kicks off on Fitzwilliam St (below Selby), marches across the Bastion Street Bridge, and winds through the heart of downtown via Commercial and onto Church Street. We’ll follow Front Street all the way to Maffeo Sutton Park, where the festival comes to life!
Expect music, dancing, flags, floats, families, signs, and JOY filling the streets. Whether you're walking in the parade or cheering from the sidelines, there’s space for everyone.
✨ The Final Float Continues!
As a Nanaimo Pride tradition, the last float in the parade is The Final Float and you’re invited to join it. As it passes, spectators are welcome to fall in behind and dance their way down the street to the festival. The float brings the music, and the crowd brings the energy, growing into its own moving dance party as we arrive together at the park. Everyone is welcome to be part of this joyful march into the heart of Pride.
What this event is:
The parade is a high-energy, outdoor street march with music, cheering, and celebration. It moves through downtown with a mix of walking groups, decorated vehicles, drag performers, musicians, and more. Sound levels vary but can be loud in places; quieter viewing areas are available.
The festival takes place at Maffeo Sutton Park and includes:
An expanded vendor village featuring 90+ artists, makers, queer-owned businesses & community groups.
A wider selection of food trucks, with dietary options and posted allergen info
Main stage with live music from BC’s premier cover band - Hot2Go! (A Chappell Roan Tribute), drag royalty, DJ Nova Jade, and cultural performances.
Kids Area is back with bouncy castle, games and treats for the littles.
Social Drinking Area (Family-friendly with 19+ wristbands)
Accessibility:
Mobility: The parade route has hills on Fitzwilliam and Front Streets. The Festival grounds are level with paved paths, compact grass, and cord covers over cables to ensure a smooth experience for wheels and feet.
Accessibility Viewing Tents:
At the Parade: Located at Dallas Square Park. Available first-come, first-served starting at 10:00 AM. Includes an accessible washroom, Audio Description services by Vocal Eye, and large-print parade float descriptions.
At the Festival: Located near the Main Stage from 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM. There are two options: one tent is strictly mask-mandatory, and the other is open to all. Both offer ASL interpretation and Audio Description services.
Shuttle Service (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM): A dedicated shuttle for transportation to and from the event.
Pick-up 1: Nanaimo North Town Centre (Sears side).
Pick-up 2: Nanaimo City Hall (in front of the SARC building on Dunsmuir).
Drop-off: Maffeo Sutton Park transit stop on Comox Rd.
Restrooms: Accessible, all-gender permanent and portable restrooms are located at the main washroom building near Pride HQ with a dedicated unit at the Dallas Square Park parade viewing area.
Parking: General parking at Maffeo Sutton is closed. Limited accessibility parking and a dedicated drop-off zone are available at the park entrance for those with a valid placard. You can view the City's downtown parkade and parking map here: https://www.nanaimo.ca/docs/departments/2019-downtown-parking.pdf
Other Services & Sensory Support:
Cooling Zone: Located next to Pride HQ at the festival entrance. This area includes misters, water stations, and shade to help manage heat.
Pride HQ: Stocked with free earplugs, sunscreen, and menstrual supplies.
Sensory Space: A dedicated low-sensory sanctuary provided by the Canucks Autism Network for those needing a quiet break.
Safe Space Commitment: This event upholds Nanaimo Pride's Safe Space Directive, ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all attendees. Safe Space Crew will be on-site in pink vests to provide support if needed. Read the policy here: https://www.nanaimopride.ca/safe-space-policy
Sensory Notes: This is our loudest event (thousands of attendees). The Main Stage is high-volume. Please use the Cooling Zone, Sensory Space, or Accessibility Tents to manage overstimulation or heat.
COVID-19 Considerations: Hand sanitizing and handwashing stations are available; mask-friendly environment. There is also a designated Accessibility Viewing tent in front of the mainstage, reserved for those wearing masks.
Questions? Requests? Reach us at [email protected]
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Event Venue
Maffeo Sutton Park, Maffeo Sutton Park, 68 Arena St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 3H9, Canada
Tickets
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