Kelowna Pride
About This Event
Kelowna Pride is the Okanagan Valley’s primary LGBTQ+ gathering. The week builds toward a downtown march and a free festival in City Park, right on the lake. The first march happened in 1996. By one participant’s count, fewer than 100 people showed up. The Kelowna Pride Society has managed the event since 2004.
The local record isn’t spotless. In the late 1990s, the mayor refused to proclaim a Pride day. The BC Human Rights Tribunal ruled that refusal discriminatory in 2000. Then, in 2016, Christy Clark became the first sitting head of BC’s provincial government to walk the march.
The route starts at Stuart Park and finishes at City Park. The festival runs from late morning into the afternoon, packing in stages, vendors, and community booths. Pride week surrounds the main day with smaller events, like the free Ride for Pride bike ride. If you’re there on festival Saturday, know that the Chapman Parkade is the only free downtown parking. Walk or cycle if you can.
Pride Week 2026 ran from 31 May to 7 June. The march and festival landed on Saturday, 6 June. Organizers projected more than 10,000 people at the festival. The 2027 dates hadn’t been announced when we checked.
Where to stay during Kelowna Pride
via Stay22Schedule & Sub-Events
+ Add EventDetailed schedule coming soon.
Check the official website for the latest programme.
Videos
Pride celebration in City Park in Kelowna bc Canada 🇨🇦 on June 6th 😊 😎
