By Crissandra Ayroso
Teaching abroad offers a unique and enticing opportunity to immerse oneself in a new culture while making a meaningful impact on the lives of students.
Beyond the classroom, it also allows educators to experience and participate in famous Pride celebrations around the world. These Pride events are inclusive and celebrate the diversity of the LGBTQ+ community. From Toronto Pride's vibrant parade and renowned drag queens to San Francisco Pride's rich history rooted in LGBTQ+ activism, each celebration offers a chance to witness the power of unity and acceptance.
Here's a glimpse into Canada's Pride parades for 2023, plus two very popular Pride celebrations in the US, and some of the most sought-after destinations for Canadians teaching abroad to experience Pride!
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- Montreal
- Calgary
- Edmonton
- Ottawa
- Halifax
- Winnipeg
- Victoria
- Saskatoon
- New York City
- San Francisco
- Berlin
- Tokyo
- Taipei
- Amsterdam
- São Paulo
- Mexico City
Pride Celebrations Across Canada
Toronto Pride (Toronto, Canada)
June 1 - June 30 | Pride Parade: June 25
Toronto Pride, also known as Pride Toronto, is the ultimate celebration of love and one of the largest Pride events in North America. It takes place in June and features a parade, street fairs, live performances, and various cultural events. Toronto draws some of the world's most beloved drag queens in the world, and something you definitely won't want to miss. Toronto Pride dates back to 1970 and continues its legacy and progressive history of Toronto's queer community.
Don't miss the Drag Ball on June 24, featuring Drag Race All Stars winner Sasha Colby, Anetra, and Jimbo, as well as Pride Extravaganza with Priyanka on June 9 at the AGO.
Vancouver Pride (Vancouver, British Columbia)
June 24 - Aug 6 | East Side Pride: June 24 | Vancouver Pride Festival: July 28 - Aug 6 | Pride Parade: Aug 6
Vancouver Pride is a highly anticipated event featuring a parade, community festivities, family friendly programming, and captivating live performances. Happening from June to August, Vancouver Pride is a summer-long celebration.
Planning is still in progress, but announcements for this year's performers will be confirmed soon.
Montreal Pride (Montreal, Quebec)
Aug 3 - Aug 13 | Pride Parade: Aug 13
Montreal Pride, known as Fierté Montréal, is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community's accomplishments and advancements in a 'festive and colourful atmosphere.' The parade includes dozens of themed floats, dancers, musicians, and members from Montréal's amazing 2SLGBTQI+ community. With over 200 groups participating in the parade, it's no surprise that over 300,000 visitors turn out to watch and support Pride! It truly is an awe-inspiring display of human spirit and community pride.
Don't miss the Drag Superstars event on Aug 10, featuring Montreal's own Rita Baga, Victoria's Jimbo, Aquaria, Yvie Oddly, Kerri Colby, and so many more Drag Superstars.
Calgary Pride (Calgary, Alberta)
Aug 25 - Sep 4 | Pride Parade: Sep 3
Calgary Pride is a week-long celebration in late August that includes a Pride parade, live entertainment, educational events, and community gatherings. It brings together the diverse LGBTQ+ community and allies, promoting unity, acceptance, and equality. The highlight is the colorful parade, where thousands march to show their support and spread joy throughout the city. Project Pride Calgary formed in 1987 and has helped pave the way to the present day.
Planning is still in progress, but announcements for this year's festivities will be confirmed soon.
Edmonton Pride (Edmonton, Alberta)
Jun - Aug
Edmonton Pride hosts a series of events, such as a Pride parade, Pride festival, and various community activities. Pride festivities are peppered throughout the summer months, from June to August.
Planning is still in progress, but announcements for this year's festivities will be confirmed soon.
Ottawa Capital Pride (Ottawa, Ontario)
Aug 19 - Aug 27
Ottawa Capital Pride is a week-long celebration that features a Pride parade, outdoor concerts, drag shows, and family-friendly activities, bringing together the community and allies to commemorate the progress made and continue the fight for equality and acceptance. It has a rich history dating back to 1986 when the first Pride march took place, with the aim of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and visibility in the nation's capital.
Planning is still in progress, but announcements for this year's festivities will be confirmed soon.
Halifax Pride (Halifax, Nova Scotia)
Jul 20 - Jul 30
Halifax Pride is a dynamic event that includes a colorful parade, live performances, parties, and community gatherings, fostering an atmosphere of celebration, inclusivity, and support for LGBTQ+ rights. It traces its roots to the early 1980s when a small group of activists organized a Pride march as a way to challenge discrimination and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community's resilience and strength in the face of adversity.
Planning is still in progress, but announcements for this year's festivities will be confirmed soon.
Winnipeg Pride (Winnipeg, Manitoba)
May 26 - Jun 4 | Pride Parade: Jun 4
Winnipeg Pride is a diverse celebration featuring a Pride parade, live entertainment, art exhibitions, and educational events that showcase the spirit and ongoing commitment to social progress within Winnipeg's LGBTQ+ community. It has a history that goes back over 30 years, beginning in the late 1980s, as a response to discrimination and inequality faced by the local LGBTQ+ community.
Victoria Pride (Victoria, British Columbia)
Jun 29 - Jul 9 | Pride Parade: Jul 9
Victoria Pride is a community-driven event that includes a Pride parade, live music, drag shows, and family-oriented activities, creating an inclusive and joyful space for people of all ages to come together and celebrate love, diversity, and acceptance. It has a history that can be traced back to the early 1990s when it emerged from the LGBTQ+ community's desire for visibility and equality. Over the years, it has become a celebration of the achievements, challenges, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community in Victoria and beyond.
Don't miss these headliners at Victoria Pride Festival-in-the-Park.
Saskatoon Pride (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan)
Jun 9 - Jun 18 | Pride Parade: Jun 17
Saskatoon Pride is a celebration of diversity and inclusion in the heart of Saskatchewan. With a variety of events, including a Pride parade, thought-provoking film screenings, engaging workshops, and fun social gatherings, Saskatoon Pride offers something for everyone. The Pride parade on June 20 showcases the city's LGBTQ+ community, allies, and supporters coming together in a display of unity and pride.
Mark your calendar for the Pride Block Party on June 17, a night of elegance and celebration featuring a special performance by Raja, winner of season 3 of RuPaul's Drag Race.
Pride in the USA
New York City Pride (New York, United States)
June | Pride Parade: Jun 25
New York City Pride is one of the most iconic Pride events globally, attracting millions of visitors. The celebrations include a massive Pride parade, parties, concerts, and exhibitions. It has a significant historical significance, as it commemorates the Stonewall Riots of 1969, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement.
This year's Pride March grand marshals are Billy Porter, Yasmin Benoit, AC Dumlao, Hope Giselle and Randolfe “Randy” Wicker will head this year’s celebration, with Angelica Ross.
San Francisco Pride (San Francisco, United States)
Jun 2 - Jun 25 | Pride Parade: Jun 25
San Francisco Pride is renowned for its inclusive and diverse atmosphere. The city hosts a Pride parade, festival, and various community events. It serves as a tribute to the city's LGBTQ+ heritage and the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance.
San Francisco has been a prominent center for the LGBTQ+ community due to its long history of LGBTQ+ activism, thriving cultural scene, and inclusive atmosphere. The city's early embrace of progressive values and its role in the sexual revolution and counterculture movements of the 1960s and 1970s attracted LGBTQ+ individuals seeking acceptance and freedom of expression. Additionally, San Francisco has been home to influential LGBTQ+ organizations and landmarks, such as the Castro District, the Harvey Milk Plaza, and the annual San Francisco Pride celebration, which have further cemented its reputation as a welcoming and supportive community for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Pride Around The World
Berlin Pride (Berlin, Germany)
Jun 28 - Jul 23 | Pride Parade: Jul 22
Known as Christopher Street Day (CSD), Berlin Pride is a massive celebration attracting a diverse crowd. The festivities include a parade, open-air concerts, parties, and a variety of events. It has a rich history dating back to its first CSD in 1979 and has since become a powerful platform for advocating LGBTQ+ rights, equality, and social acceptance in Berlin and beyond.
Tokyo Rainbow Pride (Tokyo, Japan)
April
Tokyo Rainbow Pride is one of the largest Pride events in Asia, attracting thousands of participants each year. It features a parade, live performances, speeches, and various cultural events. The parade takes place in the Shibuya district and promotes LGBTQ+ rights, visibility, and acceptance in Japanese society.
Taipei Pride (Taipei, Taiwan)
Oct 28
Taipei Pride, also known as Taiwan LGBT Pride, is the largest Pride parade in East Asia. It draws tens of thousands of participants and spectators, including local LGBTQ+ communities, allies, and international visitors. The parade route goes through the vibrant streets of Taipei, showcasing support for LGBTQ+ rights and celebrating diversity.
Amsterdam Pride (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
Aug 1 - Aug 6
Amsterdam Pride, also known as Canal Parade, is famous for its unique parade held on the city's canals. The event is a week-long celebration with street parties, performances, and cultural activities. Amsterdam Pride is deeply rooted in the city's history and tradition of inclusivity and tolerance.
São Paulo Pride (São Paulo, Brazil)
Pride Parade: Jun 11
São Paulo Pride holds the title of the largest Pride parades in the world. The event attracts millions of participants and features extravagant floats, music, and cultural showcases. It is a testament to Brazil's LGBTQ+ community's strength, resilience, and ongoing fight for equality.
Mexico City Pride (Mexico City, Mexico)
Pride Parade: Jun 25
Mexico City Pride, also known as Marcha del Orgullo, is a lively celebration that includes a massive parade, music, art exhibitions, and cultural events. It serves as a powerful platform to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and advocate for equality and social change.
Barcelona Pride (Barcelona, Spain)
Jul 3 - Jul 16 | Pride Parade: Jul 15
Barcelona Pride is a spectacular event featuring a colorful parade, parties, live music, and cultural activities. It celebrates the diversity and inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community, promoting a message of acceptance and solidarity. The event is an opportunity for people to come together and embrace their true selves in a festive atmosphere.
Teach abroad with pride
By obtaining an OISE TEFL certification, you're embarking on a remarkable journey that empowers you to make a positive impact as an English teacher while embracing the spirit of Pride. Through your OISE's TEFL training, you'll gain the essential skills to teach English abroad effectively, but it goes beyond that. It allows you to create inclusive classrooms that prioritize acceptance, respect, and the celebration of diversity.
As a teacher, you can cultivate a learning environment that promotes equality, fosters cultural understanding, and empowers students from all backgrounds. As you embark on this teaching adventure, remember that your TEFL certification is not just about language instruction—it's about championing inclusivity, making a difference, and shaping a brighter future for your students.