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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 - Hot 2 Go! (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, all ages, 19+ wristbands)
Accessibility:
Additional accessibility information coming soon! Please check back here for all the details.
Mobility: The parade route does contain hills on Fitzwilliam and Front Street, but many sections of the Parade route are wheelchair accessible, like Bastion Street and The middle section of Front Street. The Festival grounds are wheelchair accessible, with paved paths to all attractions, cord covers, and no hills. A mask-mandatory accessibility viewing area with seating and shade.
Seating: Limited seating available; attendees may bring personal seating.
Restrooms: Accessible, all-gender portable restrooms throughout the park.
Parking and Transit: General parking at Maffeo Sutton Park will be closed. A limited number of accessibility spaces and drop off will be available, please speak to the parking attendant upon arrival and have your placard displayed. Please reference the City of Nanaimo’s Parking Map, or access limited, free street parking on the parade route. Please note that some transit and road closures will be in effect for the parade. Bus routes 1, 20(A), 25, 30 and 72 will bring you closest to the Festival. Find more transit info here.
Other Services: Water fountains and food service ($) will be available on-site. Pride HQ will be stocked with ear plugs, water, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and more. There is a dedicated sensory support space provided by the Canucks Autism Network.
Safe Space Commitment: Family-friendly event with designated alcohol area (all ages, 19+ wristbands). This event upholds Nanaimo Pride's Safe Space Directive, ensuring a respectful and inclusive environment for all attendees. Safe Space Crew will be onsite to provide support if needed.
Sensory Notes: High-energy environment with loud music and big crowds; lots of space to spread out. Outdoor setting - no tents. Potential exposure to varying weather conditions.
General Accessibility & Inclusion Notes:
Questions? Requests? Reach us at [email protected]
Health & Safety: First Aid and Safe Space Crew volunteers present at major events.
COVID-19 Considerations: Hand sanitizing stations available; mask-friendly environments encouraged.
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Event Venue
Maffeo Sutton Park, Maffeo Sutton Park, 68 Arena St, Nanaimo, BC V9R 3H9, Canada
Tickets
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
