Join Us to Celebrate 30 Years of Pride in Nanaimo.

Get your rainbow gear ready and book your travel! Nanaimo Pride Week 2026 is officially just around the corner, running from June 8th to June 14th, 2026, here in the Harbour City.

This year is extra special as the Nanaimo Pride Society honours a dual milestone: “30 Years of Pride. 10 Years of Celebration.” Together, we will mark three decades since Nanaimo’s very first grassroots march and a decade of the massive modern parade-and-festival format.

To help you make the most of this incredible milestone, the Nanaimo Pride Society has launched the 2026 Nanaimo Pride Guide: your essential printed and digital companion for everything happening across Snuneymuxw Territory this June!

A group of 6 people holding a variety of pride themed fans, smiling and embracing each other.
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Three people walking on the street, each holding a different flag over their heads. From left to right- Pride flag, lesbian flag, and trans flag.
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What’s Inside the Guide?

Whether you pick up a physical copy from the Visitor Centre or download the digital version from the website, the Pride Guide is your all-access pass to:

  • Travel Guide: What to do, where to stay, and how to get here!
  • The History: Explore 30 years of local grassroots queer history, resilience, and milestones right here in Nanaimo.
  • The Happenings: Complete details for all June community favourites: events, resource groups, entertainment and more.
  • The Headliners: Check out the official lineup of Pride Week events!
  • Accessibility & Inclusion Info: Venue accessibility, sensory notes, and safe spaces so everyone can celebrate safely and comfortably.
  • The Grand Finale Map: Your insider guide to the Annual Pride Parade (Sunday, June 14th at 11:00 AM) and the massive Pride Festival at Maffeo Sutton Park (12:00 – 5:00 PM).

 

How to Get Your Copy Right Now

  • Go Digital: The online version of the guide brings all the info to you! Plus, you can download the Guide directly to your phone. Visit www.nanaimopride.ca/pride-guide
  • Grab the Print Edition: Pick up your high-quality physical keepsake guide at local downtown businesses, the Visitor Centre (101 Gordon Street), and queer-friendly hubs across Nanaimo starting today! Coming from the mainland? You can also grab a copy at Hullo, HeliJet and SeaAir terminals!

Whether you live locally, are travelling from across the Salish Sea or coming up from Victoria, the Pride Guide ensures you won't miss a single moment of community, love, and connection.

From nature walks to legendary late-night dance floors, here is your chronological look at some of what’s happening across Nanaimo this June.

A group of people dressed in rainbow skirts and black shirts with a rainbow paw print, smiling at the camera.
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A group of people marching on the street with a pride flag.
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Masked dancer dressed in the rainbow dancing.
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Pre-Pride Week Community Events

  • Wednesday, June 3 | Birding & Biodiversity at Buttertubs Marsh
    • ​ Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
    • Location: Buttertubs Marsh Park (197 Bird Sanctuary Dr)
    • What: A peaceful, guided nature walk tailored for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and allies. Bring your binoculars!
  • Friday, June 5 | Youth Pride Prom 
    • Time: 6:30 PM – 10:30 PM
    • Location: Arbutus Room (VIU Building 300, Room 401)
    • What: An inclusive, safe, and celebratory space for youth ages 13–18 to show up as their authentic selves.
  • Friday, June 5 | Rainbow Salsa Social Dance & Lessons
    • Time: 7:30 PM – 11:30 PM
    • Location: Pleasant Valley Social Centre (6100 Doumont Rd)
    • What: Dust off your dancing shoes for an evening of Salsa, Bachata, and Merengue open to all skill levels, lead/follow dynamics, and identities. Featuring DJ Moses.
  • Saturday, June 6 | The Nature of Us – TRAction
    • Time: 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
    • Location: Bowen Park (500 Bowen Rd)
    • What: Created by artist Kevin Jesuino, this immersive outdoor sound installation explores queer intimacy and connection amid the natural world.

 

Official Nanaimo Pride Week (June 8 – June 14)

  • Monday, June 8 | Themed Trivia Night: HEATED RIVALRY Edition
    • Location: The Queen's (34 Victoria Crescent)
    • What: Kick off Pride Week by testing your wits at this legendary, high-energy trivia night.
  • Tuesday, June 9 | Official Pride Flag Raising Ceremony & Street Fair
    • Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Ceremony starts at 5:30 PM)
    • Location: Nanaimo City Hall, Upper Parking Lot (455 Wallace St)
    • What: Gather to raise the Inclusive Pride and Trans flags high over the city. Includes community info booths, a mini street fair, face painting, food vendors, Drag Story Time with PJ Smudge, and a live DJ.
  • Wednesday, June 10 | Rainbow Rave: Silent Disco 🎧🪩
    • Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    • Location: Colliery Dam Park (635 Wakesiah Ave, by the washroom building)
    • What: Dance under the setting sun at your own volume! Our second annual silent disco is an all-ages, sensory-friendly outdoor party. Pick up wireless headphones at check-in, dial into the DJ beats, and dance along the peaceful waterfront.
  • Thursday, June 11 | Pride on the Mic 🎙️✨
    • Location: MGM Restaurant (240 Nicol St)
    • What: Grab the mic or cheer from the crowd! An unforgettable evening highlighting local queer voices, performance, and community connection. Entry by donation - all ages.
  • Saturday, June 13 | Annual Pride Dance (19+)
    • Time: 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM
    • Location: Vancouver Island Conference Centre, Mt. Benson Ballroom (101 Gordon St)
    • What: The biggest party of the week! Dance your heart out to live music from Victoria’s funk/hip-hop party machine The New Groovement, incredible character drag magic from Mina Mercury, and non-stop beats from Vancouver’s DJ Krista Mac.

 

The Grand Finale: Sunday, June 14

  • The 2026 Nanaimo Pride Parade
    • Time: 11:00 AM
    • Location: Old City Quarter (Fitzwilliam) to Commercial to Church to Front Street
    • What: Grab your spots along the route to cheer on local organizations, individuals and community groups celebrating 30 years of grassroots resilience!
       
  • The Pride Festival at Maffeo Sutton Park
    • Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
    • Location: Maffeo Sutton Park (100 Comox Rd)
    • What: The ultimate community wrap-up party. Explore over 95 local artisan and community vendors, grab lunch at the food truck zone, drop by the Kids Zone, and enjoy a packed entertainment lineup on the main stage. Lagoon paddles, the sensory support space, and family-friendly bar service area are back!
A person holding a parasol dressed in rainbow with a large flower hat posing for a photo.
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Two men smiling with a pride flag draped across ones shoulder.
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So, Grab Your Guide & Join the Celebration!

Three decades of history, ten years of massive community festivals, and a whole month of unforgettable events! This June is going to be one for the history books.

Let’s come together to honour our past, celebrate our present, and paint the Harbour City rainbow once more! 🏳️‍🌈✨