Edmonton Pride 2025
- August 22-24, 2025
- Edmonton
The Edmonton Pride Festival has been part of Alberta’s queer calendar for more than four decades. What started as a small march along Jasper Avenue in 1980 has evolved into a three‑day celebration of diversity and resistance that fills downtown Edmonton with flags, families and music. The 2025 edition promises to be bigger and more colourful than ever. After years of hard work by volunteers and community organisers, the event has secured Churchill Square and the neighbouring ICE District as its home base and will see a weekend of concerts, parties and activism take over the heart of the city. It is still, at its core, a protest for two‑spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans rights, but it has also become a family‑friendly festival that invites everyone to join in and celebrate the progress made.
It would be difficult to talk about Pride in Edmonton without acknowledging how much the festival has changed over the years. For many locals the mid‑1980s parades were gatherings of a few hundred people guarded by allies and friends; by the late 1990s the march had become a full‑blown parade. In 2019, disagreements between organisers and activists led to the cancellation of the official event, which forced the community to rethink how it wanted to celebrate. The newly formed Edmonton PrideFest Association has spent the last few years rebuilding trust and creating a festival that reflects the diversity of the city’s 2Slgbtq+Q+ community. The result has been a return to a more grassroots‑driven Pride that centres protest alongside performance. 2025 will mark the third year since the festival returned to a full parade and also the 45th anniversary of the city’s first Pride march.
The fun begins on Friday 22 August 2025 with an evening party called Pink Pony Club. This lively kick‑off event will be held at Fan Park @ ICE District and is set to feature live music, circus performers, acrobats, drag artists and even a mechanical bull. Gates open at 5 p.m., giving people time to explore vendors and grab a snack before the show starts. The vibe is deliberately camp and over‑the‑top; think disco‑inspired outfits, neon wigs and a crowd that wants to dance until the sun goes down. Families are welcome, though the atmosphere will be louder and more club‑like than the rest of the weekend. Organisers describe the party as a way to “crank up the energy” and set the tone for the rest of Pride weekend.
Saturday is the heart of the festival. At 1 p.m. on 23 August 2025 the Pride Parade will step off from Sir Winston Churchill Square. Thousands of participants and supporters are expected to make their way through the ICE District and end at Fan Park. The parade route runs west along 102A Avenue and then winds through the downtown core before turning into the Fan Park. It is a march that blends celebration with protest: there will be floats from community groups, corporate allies, unions and churches, but the loudest cheers are usually reserved for grass‑roots organisations and the groups fighting for trans, two‑spirit and Black queer people. Edmonton PrideFest is encouraging everyone to arrive early to secure a spot along the barriers and to bring signs that highlight causes they care about. Keep in mind that road closures around 102A Avenue and Churchill Square mean you should use public transit or park outside the downtown core.
Following the parade the day continues with two very different events. For sports fans there’s the Pride Cup, a ball‑hockey match that pits local team Edmonton Rage against the Calgary Pioneers in a friendly but competitive battle for a colourful trophy. It’s a fun way to bring a traditionally masculine sport into the Pride weekend and to show that queer people have a place in athletics. Meanwhile, Pride Fest takes over Fan Park with a lineup of musical performances headlined by Canadian chart‑toppers Jamie Fine and LU KALA. Expect a mix of pop, R&B and dance music, plus performances from local drag queens, dancers and DJs. Food trucks line the edges of the park, craft markets sell everything from handmade pride pins to leather harnesses, and beer gardens keep adults refreshed. Organisers also promise community information booths and a family area with face painting and games.
The festival winds down on Sunday 24 August 2025 with a Brunch Sing‑Along hosted by drag superstars Alaska 5000 and Willam, known for their appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race. This ticketed event combines breakfast, comedy and sing‑along numbers with outrageous costumes and audience participation. It’s a lighter way to end the weekend and offers a more intimate setting where fans can interact with their favourite performers. Tickets for the brunch tend to sell out quickly, so if you’re planning to attend you should secure them as soon as they become available.
Throughout the weekend you can expect an emphasis on accessibility and inclusion. Fan Park is wheelchair accessible and there are dedicated viewing areas for people with mobility impairments. Sign‑language interpreters will be on‑stage for major performances, and there are quiet zones for people who need a break from the crowds. Organisers also work closely with harm‑reduction services to ensure that there are water stations and first‑aid tents on site. All events aside from the brunch are free to attend, but donations to the Edmonton PrideFest Association are encouraged; funds go toward covering costs and supporting queer programming year‑round.
Travellers coming from outside the city should note that hotels in downtown Edmonton often book up quickly during Pride weekend. Public transport is the easiest way to get around: the LRT stops near Churchill Square and many bus routes service the area, although some will be on detour because of the parade. If you’re driving, consider parking at one of the park‑and‑ride lots along the LRT line and taking the train into the core. Visitors can also rent bikes and cycle along the river valley before making their way to Pride.
Like pride celebrations around the world, the festival is more than just a party. Local activists use the platform to draw attention to issues still facing the community, from rising anti‑trans rhetoric to the need for more inclusive healthcare. Various workshops, panels and pop‑up events throughout the summer lead up to the main weekend and focus on topics like mental health, Indigenous two‑spirit traditions and allyship. There is also a memorial space within the festival grounds where people can remember those lost to HIV/AIDS and transphobic violence.
If you’re planning on attending in 2025, pack your brightest outfit, bring sunscreen and water, and be ready to dance, listen, learn and show support. Edmonton’s Pride festival is a unique blend of protest and party, and each year the community builds on the successes and lessons of the previous one. With a jam‑packed schedule and the promise of new surprises, this year’s festival aims to make everyone who attends feel welcomed and loved.
