Nelson Pride 2026

Photo: Jamie Srigley

Nelson Pride 2026 is celebrating 30 years of PRIDE Parades in Nelson!! Join us for TWO weeks of celebration, including our first Trans March on Saturday, August 29, and our 30 Year Parade on Saturday, September 5. These are all the events from Nelson Pride Society.

Community groups, venues, and neighbouring towns run lots of other events, including drag brunches, trivia, dance parties, Queer Prom and their own Prides. Everything we know about is on the Pride Calendar.

Looking for other ways to get involved? Register a float, book a vendor booth, or sign up to volunteer.

Saturday September 5

Thirty years of Pride parades in Nelson. Meet at Wildflower School, or join at IODE Park for just the Baker St portion. View details

Pride Parade

Meet at 2 pm, march at 3 pm sharp Wildflower School

DJs, drag, a market, and fun on Baker! View details

Block Party

4 – 7 pm 300 Block of Baker Street

Tuesday September 1

Dye a shirt in support of Nelson Pride. Free sign making. Pre-buy tie-dye tickets online. View details

Tie Dye Fundraiser + Sign Making

6 – 8 pm Lakeside Park Rotary (BBQ) Shelter

14+ Sign making free; tie dye by sliding scale donation

Sunday August 30

Two free workshops with the Flailing Lovers: basic drag makeup, then building an act. Now full. View details

Intro to Drag Workshops

Session 1: 11 am – 1 pm · Session 2: 2 – 4 pm 564 Ward Street, Nelson

All ages Free Full

Saturday August 29

Nelson Pride's first Trans March, on a flat and fully paved route, then free drag in the park. View details

Trans March

Meet at 2 pm · March at 2:30 sharp · Drag at 3:15 Lakeside Park soccer fields

Friday August 28

The Kootenays' fav queer dating game show is back for its second episode: two rounds of improv courtship, ending in lipsync. View details

Swipe Right: A Dating Game Drag Show

Doors 7:30 pm, show 8 pm The Royal

19+ $15 – $20 sliding scale; no one turned away for lack of funds

Thursday August 27

Board games, video games, and snacks. Drop in and out or stay the whole event. View details

Queer Games Night

4:30 – 8:30 pm Nelson Innovation Centre

Wednesday August 26

1996: how it all went down. An interactive reenactment from the archives, then a discussion. View details

30 Years: Making the First Nelson PRIDES Happen

6:30 – 8:30 pm Nelson Public Library

Tuesday August 25

Come craft a guided craft with us in the park during this all-ages event! View details

Queer Art in the Park

6:30 – 8:30 pm Lakeside Park Rotary (BBQ) Shelter

All ages with supervision Free

Monday August 24

Join us to raise the Pride flag at Nelson City Hall. Meet at the flagpole. View details

Pride Flag Raising

10 am Nelson City Hall

Sunday August 23

Kick off Nelson Pride 2026 with our annual BBQ. Drop by for chats and lunch in the park. View details

Welcome BBQ

11 am – 2 pm Lakeside Park BBQ Shelter

Postponed. A new date has not been set yet — we'll announce one as soon as we can. View details

Paint the Crosswalk

Postponed — new date to be announced Stanley and Victoria intersection

All ages Free Postponed