Banff Pride starts tomorrow and there is no shortage of events to choose from this year. Banff Pride runs from October 2 to October 14 and promises three weekends of fun.
With so many options, we thought it might help to curate a list of events to check out to make the most of Pride in Banff this year.
First Weekend
What better way to kick off Banff Pride than a flag raise and march? Attendees are invited to meet on Bear Street at 4:00 PM tomorrow to raise a flag and march along the Bow River.
The march ends in Central Park, which is the perfect opportunity to meet new people and share in the experience.
If marching wasn’t enough activity for you, Club Detour is returning to Banff Pride this year with Lively Blake and Prince Morbucks.
If you want to take part in Club Detour, show up at Banff Sizzlers at 9:00 PM tomorrow to enjoy a night of music and dancing.
Pythia from Canada’s Drag Race Season 2 and RuPaul’s Drag Race Global All-Stars is making a special guest appearance.
Early bird tickets are $15 while general admission and VIP meet and greet tickets are $20 and $40, respectively.
After marching and dancing, you might need a pick-me-up to keep you going.
On October 6 at 11:00 AM, Banff Pride is hosting its first Drag Brunch experience, featuring Scarlett BoBo of Canada’s Drag Race Season 1.
Drag Brunch features performances from Scarlett BoBo and other artists. Tickets are about $22 and do not include food at the brunch buffet, which is available onsite for purchase.
Second Weekend
The second weekend of Banff Pride cranks the heat up a notch with a massive selection of diverse events. We recommend Rainbow Ride on October 8 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM if you are an outdoor enthusiast.
Rainbow Ride is an 11-kilometre e-bike ride through some of Banff’s best scenery. During the ride, a White Mountain Adventures tour guide educates attendees on the area and local wildlife.
E-bikes are provided but attendees are also welcome to bring their own. Participation costs $10 and you must be at least 5 feet tall to ride. Hey, we don’t make the rules!
If you are looking to get in the Halloween spirit, a showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show from 9:00 PM to 11:30 PM on October 9 is worth seeing.
This cult classic follows the story of a newly engaged couple who break down in the middle of nowhere.
Seeking shelter from the rain, the couple find themselves at the castle of Dr. Frank N-Furter, a transvestite mad scientist from outer space.
The showing is at the Lux Cinema Banff. Just remember to show up in your best Rocky Horror Picture Show costume for a chance to win prizes. Tickets are about $14 for adults and $10 for seniors.
Banff Pride is about more than just having fun. There are also many educational opportunities like Beyond Cancel Culture on October 10 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Mason Hall.
The event is presented by Makaylah Rogers (they/them) & Fia-Lynn Crandall (she/her), Owners of Frankie D’s Donuts and Scale Naturally.
Beyond Cancel Culture blends education, storytelling, and open dialogue to explore how accountability can build stronger, more inclusive communities.
Final Weekend
The final weekend of Banff Pride is a great time to reflect on your own experiences while learning about other’s experiences, too.
On October 11 from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM at Mason Hall, Jaylene Tyme opens up about her experience as a proud Indigenous, Two-Spirit trans woman as part of Banff Pride’s Speaker Series.
As a Sixties Scoop survivor, Tyme’s story is one of self-discovery and empowerment. She has overcome many obstacles like addiction to become a leader in Vancouver’s drag scene.
If you want to see more of Tyme, she is performing as part of Rainbow Guardians on October 12 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Jenny Belzberg Theatre, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity.
The evening event combined different art forms and includes powwow singers and dancers, singing, and burlesque. Tickets are about $27 for adults and $15 for youths.
All ages are welcome to the event, but performances after intermission are 18+. If you are eager to express yourself, All Bodies Amateur Strip on October 13 and October 14 is your chance.
As the name suggests, All Bodies Amateur Strip is an inclusive event that invites people to “throw down and peel off as much as you feel comfortable with.”
However, taking off your underwear and revealing your goods is an instant disqualification so…don’t. The grand prize for outstripping your opponents is $250 with runner-up prizes and gifts for participation.
As Banff Pride comes to a close, why not buy something to remember the event while also supporting local artists?
The Pride Market opens on October 12 and runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM at Mason Hall. The market showcases diverse artwork, crafts, and unique creations by 2SLGBTQ+ artists.
