June is Pride Month and Kingston is welcoming an array of markets, events, and entertainment in celebration and support of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community. To help you keep track of everything going on, we’ve put together a handy guide for all-things pride.
Are we missing a Kingston Pride experience? Contact peter@tourismkingston.com to let us know so we can add it to the list.
Are you in need of some Pride merch to wear to these events? View our online shop for Kingston Pride merch.
Brock St Block Party
Sunday, June 2 (noon – 4 pm)
Brock Street between Wellington and King
All ages
Between the start of Pride Month and the start of the summer, there’s plenty of reason to celebrate, so come join the festivities at the Brock St Block Party! Hosted by the many local businesses between Wellington and King, this party features music from Musiikki, thrifting at Closet Candy Consignment and Moxie & Mine, snacks from Black Dog Tavern, brews from Daft Brewing, and more.
A portion of the earnings from the party will also go to TransFamily Kingston, a local grassroots group of transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals and their loved ones.
In Your Pocket: Portraits of Us (Queer Short Stories Screening)
Monday, June 3 (7 pm)
Trellis/ReelOut Lending Library (844a Princess Street)
All ages
Presented by RT Collective in collaboration with ReelOut Queer Film Festival and Kingston Pride, In Your Pocket is a special screening of a series of short stories that showcase the funny, insightful, sexy, and mundane elements of queer life. Created with smartphones, tablets, and webcams, these short works aim to connect contemporary artists with the filmmakers that paved the way for queer cinema using the accessible technologies of their day, from consumer VHS cameras to Super 8 film.
Jeannie’s Place at Trellis/ReelOut Lending Library at 844a Princess Street is wheelchair accessible, and audiences are welcomed to bring their own snacks and beverages.
Drag in the Park
Tuesday, June 4 (7 – 9 pm)
Confederation Park (209 Ontario Street)
All ages
Kick off Pride with a free family-friendly drag show fundraiser for Trellis HIV & Community Care in partnership with the PWA Friends for Life bike rally.
Hosted on the waterfront at Confederation Park, join hostesses Tyffanie Morgan and Rowena Whey for an evening of fabulous performances with special guests Sonny Rayz, ‘Show’pony, and Street Meat.
Volunteers will also be accepting cash and electronic donations for Trellis to benefit people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS in our community.
While you’re at the park, stop by the Visitor Information Centre and grab some locally themed Pride merch to celebrate the rest of the festivities in style.
Queer Art Show opening night
Wednesday, June 5 (6 – 8 pm)
Trellis HIV & Community Care (844a Princess Street)
All ages
The annual Queer Art Show takes place at Trellis HIV & Community Care this month. Come to the opening night and be one of the first to experience this exciting show, with artwork by members of our local 2SLGBTQIA + community.
Heartbreak in the Driver’s Seat: Stories of Queer Heartbreak studio visit and performance with Meenakashi Ghadial
Thursday, June 6 (5 – 6:30 pm)
Tett Centre Creativity Studio B & Rehearsal Hall (370 King Street West)
Ages 12+
Join Meenakashi Ghadial, Tett Artist-in-Residence, for a special showcase spotlighting her most recent work. Combining a studio tour with a discussion of her paintings and a live performance, Heartbreak in the Driver’s Seat: Stories of Queer Heartbreak explores the car as a safe space for Queer people of colour. In her performance, Ghadial aims to provide a supportive environment for sharing experiences of loneliness and queer heartbreak.
This is a pay-what-you-can event, with a $5 donation suggested.
Pride Run/Walk
Saturday, June 8 (10 – 11:30 am)
Kingston East Community Centre (779 Highway 15)
All ages
Take to Kingston’s east end and hit the pavement with the free Pride Run! Take off or take it easy and walk the route that starts at Kingston East Community Centre and moves up highway 15.
Out on the Queen Boat Cruise
Saturday, June 8 (6 – 10 pm)
Kingston 1000 Islands Cruises (248 Ontario Street)
Ages 19+
Get ready to take the party to the seas when the legendary Out on the Queen Boat Cruise makes its triumphant return for Kingston Pride 2024! Join Tyffanie Morgan, Rane St. Cloud, Yuni Verse, and Oktavia for an exceptional night of drag, dancing, and music out on the water. Make sure to book early because tickets sell quickly!
University Tavern parties
Saturday, June 8 & Saturday, June 15 (10 pm – 2 am)
University Tavern (285 Queen Street)
Ages 19+
In the mood for dancing? Look no further than these two parties!
Come by University Tavern (the lower level at Renaissance) on June 8 for their fourth annual Underwear Party. Or join the Pride Dance Party on June 15 and tear up the dance floor after the parade festivities. Grab a single pass for the series and catch both chances to dance the night away with DJ Tiger Styles.
Space will be limited, so check the website to purchase your tickets in advance and get a discount on admission.
Pride Softball
Sunday, June 9 (10 am – 1 pm)
Victoria Park (487 Brock Street)
All ages
Batter up! Pride Softball returns on Sunday, June 9 for what is sure to be a fun morning for everyone of all ages. Get out and enjoy a game at Victoria Park!
Pride: In Conversation with Michael Rowe
Wednesday, June 12 (6:30 – 7:30 pm)
The Screening Room (120 Princess Street)
All ages
Delve into a critical moment in Canadian queer history and uncover the strength of early gay rights activists with this special event at The Screening Room. Presented in collaboration with Kingston Pride and ReelOut Arts Project, Kingston WritersFest invites you to sit down for a conversation with award-winning writer Michael Rowe on Pride, his new book that examines Toronto’s first gay rights march on its 50th anniversary.
Michael will be joined on stage by Trevor Campbell, host and creator of the You Made Me Queer podcast, for a discussion on how this important march laid the groundwork for one of the world’s largest gay festivals, and the challenges the queer community continues to face today.
Games Night
Wednesday, June 12 (6 – 9 pm)
Kingston Nexus (270 Bagot Street)
SBT Comics and Games (699 Gardiners Rd Unit 3)
Improbable Escapes Wonderland & Board Game Cafe (500 Gardiners Rd Unit 2A)
All ages
Join a game night with Kingston Pride! Bring some friends or join a table and meet new people at one of three locations: downtown at Kingston Nexus, or on the west end at either SBT Comics and Games or Improbable Escapes Wonderland & Board Game Cafe.
Fabulous Fantasy Forest Queer Prom
Thursday, June 13 (6:30 – 10:30 pm)
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 560 (734 Montreal Street)
Ages 19+
Break out your sparkliest outfit or your finest nature-inspired attire for an unforgettable evening of dancing, drag, prizes, cake, and more! Fabulous Fantasy Forest Queer Prom promises to be an enchanting evening of celebration and excitement for the whole 2SLGBTQIA+ community and distinguished guests looking to celebrate in style.
Hosted by Kingston Pride and TransFamily Kingston, all proceeds from this pay-what-you-can event go to supporting people in the local gender-diverse community.
Queeraoke
Friday, June 14 (8 pm)
Daft Brewing (768 Princess Street)
Ages 19+
Back by popular demand, Kingston Pride and Daft Brewing have once again come together to host Queer-oke! Take to the floor and belt out the classics, enjoy Daft’s delicious drinks, and kick back on their brand-new patio if you need to take a breather between tracks.
Pride Parade
Saturday, June 15 (noon – 1 pm)
Downtown Kingston
All ages
The main event! Bring your family, friends, pets, and pride to this free parade. Join in on the annual march down Princess Street starting at Albert Street and down towards Ontario Street.
Community Fair
Saturday, June 15 (10 am – 5 pm)
Confederation Park
All ages
The Community Fair brings together a variety of local vendors and performers to beautiful Confederation Park. Shop the tables while enjoying music by Spectrum Voices, the Drag Power Hour with Dare De La Femme and guests, and much more!
Beers for Queers and Kingston Pride present: A Celebration of Pride
Saturday, June 15 (9 pm – 1 am)
Tir Nan Og Irish Pub (200 Ontario Street)
Ages 19+
Keep the post-parade party going with an evening at the Tir Nan Og Irish Pub. You can round out the night with a special event hosted by Beers for Queers and Kingston Pride, featuring music by DJ John Clement.
Drag Me to Brunch Pride Edition
Sunday, June 16 (11:30 am – 1:30 pm; 2 – 4 pm)
Wharf and Feather (2 Princess Street)
All ages (note: some mature content)
Want to keep the festivities going? How about brunch and a show? Come out to Wharf and Feather and top up your week with a special edition of Drag Me to Brunch! Join one of the two shows and enjoy the delicious brunch menu, table drink service, and performances by Rowena Whey and special guests.
Summer Qamp: Movies in the Square Pride Edition
Thursday, June 20 (8:30 pm)
Springer Market Square (325 King Street East)
All ages
Downtown Kingston BIA, Kingston Pride, and the ReelOut Queer Film Festival are back for another special edition of Movies in the Square! Break out your camping outfit, grab a chair, and bring your favorite snacks for a free, family-friendly screening of Summer Qamp, a feature documentary that spotlights Camp fYrefly, a safe and supportive camp in Alberta for 2SLGBTQIA+ teens.
The film, which premiered at TIFF in 2023 and won the Best Documentary award at the 2024 ReelOut Queer Film Festival, shares the experiences of the young campers as they enjoy simply being themselves in a supportive environment away from the noise, judgement, and explanations they face in their lives, and the steps the counsellors take to build that environment.
Are you looking for Pride merch? Shop our Pride merchandise at the Visitor Information Centre: 209 Ontario St or online https://www.visitkingston.ca/kingston-shop/. 25% of the sales will be donated to Kingston Pride.
Patricia Spencer Book Signing at Indigo
Saturday, June 29 (11 am – 2 pm)
Indigo (945 Gardiners Road, Unit Y011)
All ages
On Saturday, June 29, drop by Indigo at the Cataraqui Centre for a special book signing with Goldie Award winning author Patricia Spencer. Patricia specializes in sapphic romance and fiction, and through her novels explores the complexities of mature women in historic settings, living complex lives and navigating unfolding romances. Her latest, The Life Bestowed, is the second part of her ongoing Prince Edward County Series, set locally just west of Kingston, and delves into themes of love, identity, and the ways we’re shaped by those we keep close.
Make it a Pride Month getaway: select Rainbow Registered hotels will donate to Kingston Pride or Trellis HIV Community Care when you book an overnight stay in June. View Pride packages
