Only in Montréal is where you’ll find some 2 million people from all walks of life and corners of the world come together to celebrate diversity for 11 colourful days. And what a celebration it is!
Founded in 2007 as an initiative of Montréal’s 2SLGBTQI+ communities, the Montréal Pride Festival has grown into the largest gathering of people of sexual and gender diversity in the Francophone world. Promoting their rights and celebrating their cultural richness and progress, the organization works to support and promote local communities while serving as a beacon of hope for people around the world who continue to battle injustice.
Montréal Pride is a 11-day showcase of equality and inclusion which includes fabulous free shows, panels, the ever-popular two Community Day and, of course, the Pride Parade. A definite highlight of the festival, the Parade is like nothing you’ve ever seen, awash with colourful people, themed floats, dancers and musicians along with the marching representatives of Montréal’s diverse 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Over 200 groups take part in the Parade, for a total of 12,000 participants performing in front of a whopping 300,000 or more spectators. After all, who doesn’t love a parade? Especially when it’s as colourful and inspiring as this one!
Involve, educate and entertain… the mandate of Montréal Pride’s Community Day extends to all of its activities, which aim to promote – in a festive manner – the several advances of the LGBTQ+ communities and to generate public awareness of their realities.
The new official outdoor venue, the Esplanade of the Olympic Park, is where the party happens, where cultural expression runs free in a slew of amazing shows featuring local 2SLGBTQI+ talent. Some 70% of the shows feature artists from Montréal and, in signature Montréal festival style, admission to the main site is free. Happy Pride!