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21 Pride Events in Ottawa You Can't Miss This August
- Miranda Caley
- Aug 8
- 8 min read
It's August, which means it's officially Pride Month in Ottawa! 🏳️🌈
Ottawa Pride Month is bustling with action, such as drag shows, historical exhibits, sports tournaments, parades, and more. If you're wondering how you can participate, whether as someone within the 2SLGBTQ+ community or as an ally, we've got you with our 2025 Guide to Pride.
Check out our list of pride events in Ottawa in August 2025:
please note, this is not a complete list of all the events in town, for that, check official sites like Capital Pride's.
📍 Dundonald Park (516 Somerset St W)
💸 Free, donations encouraged
🚗 Public transit recommended
Hear all about key players in Ottawa's LGBTQ+ activism.
This 3km stroll along downtown Ottawa with drag king Morgan Mercury as your guide is the perfect kickstarter to learn all about the city's queer history!
The tours go forward whether rain or shine, so be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothing and bring along water and a few snacks. Tours feature guest talks from drag artists Josephine Jay and Nova Bliss.
📍 Kichesippi Beer Co (2265 Robertson Rd)
📅 August 15 at 7:00 p.m.
🚗 Free parking available
Hey, Bingo lovers!
Sit back and enjoy a few rounds of Bingo followed by dazzling performances from drag artists Mx. Tique, Saltina Shaker, Sunshine Glitterchild, and Manny Dingo.
All Bingo cards and dabbers will be supplied for participants, so come out for a night of fun!
📍 Ottawa Trans Library (104 Somerset St)
📅 August 15 at 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
💸 Free, but tickets required
🚗 Free street parking, public transit recommended
This exhibit will be open throughout the Capital Pride Festival, but a special open-house vernissage night is taking place on August 15.
Check out the exhibit highlighting queer domesticity through local artworks, and then enjoy an open-mic poetry show.
📍 Shefford Park (813 Shefford Rd)
📅 August 16 at 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
💸 $120 for a team of up to 5 players
🚗 Parking available
Grab your friends, form a team, and get your game faces on for the Beach Bum Tournament!
Hosted by the PrEP Clinic, this is an intermediate/advanced 4v4 volleyball tournament that's sure to have you beaming with pride by the end.
📍 Thrive Select Thrift (1547 Merivale Rd)
📅 August 16 at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
💸 Free!
🚗 Free parking available.
Capital Pride and Big Brothers and Sisters Ottawa have come together to host the annual gender-affirming clothing swap and thrift for youth.
Swing by for some free threads that will leave you feeling like your best, true self.
Attendees are encouraged to bring clothes they no longer wear to "swap," but it's not required. Free haircuts will also be available!
📍 Parkdale Market (366 Parkdale Ave)
📅 August 16 at 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
💸 Free!
🚗 Street parking available, limited accessible parking available
Calling all market lovers!
Check out over 60 2SLGBTQI+ small business vendors, selling snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, art, self-care products, and more. Live music will be performed in the park by local queer and trans performers, so whether you're looking to shop or simply to sit and enjoy some jams, there's something for you.
This market is on-leash dog friendly.
📍 Arts Court (2 Daly Ave)
📅 August 16 at 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
💸 Free, but ticket required
🚗 Various parking available nearby
Check out a mini-fest that's been curated by Capital Pride and Ottawa Fringe, featuring the top local queer shows from the 2025 Ottawa Fringe Festival.
Celebrate a night of queerness and theatre by sitting back and enjoying three shows: Trop paresseuse pour faire un coming out donc j’ai créé une pièce de théâtre, Small Fish, and ECPD: Rhetoric, Blood and CRIME.
Family Picnic
📍 Hintonburg Park (1064 Wellington St W)
📅 August 17 at 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
💸 Free!
🚗 Street parking available
If you're looking for a 100% family-friendly Pride event, this one's for you!
Celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ families with an afternoon of face-painting, games, crafts, and a BBQ.
Grab your blanket and picnic basket and enjoy a day full of family fun in the beautiful Hintonburg Park.
📍 Saboroso Bistro (782 Eagleson Rd)
📅 August 17 at 4:30 p.m.
💸 Early bird tickets available
🚗 Free parking available
Come celebrate Asian joy and diversity at an all-Asian drag fiesta!
Delicious Filipino food will be served at this event, and several talented drag queens will be present.
Enjoy the performances of Hong Dong, Babeblade, Fabian Fabulous, Karen Ligays, Aishwarya Coe, and Mx. Capital Pride 2024 Edith Puthie.
📍 Shuttle from T's Pub (323 Somerset St W)
📅 August 17 at 10:00 a.m.
🚗 Bus to hike provided
If you're a lover of the outdoors, Out at Camp is hosting its third annual Pride Hike and you are invited.
Join a group and embark on a scenic 8.75km loop near Lac Philippe, exploring the beautiful sights of Gatineau Park.
A picnic with sandwiches from La Bottega and non-alcoholic beverages will be provided once the trail is complete.
📍 Fourth Stage - National Arts Centre (1 Elgin St)
📅 August 18-22
💸 Tickets available at $105 for 5 workshops
🚗 Paid parking available
Whether you've written a story before or not, this week-long summer session is open to everyone. Meet daily with talented writer Mary Allen and learn some skills on how to not only write a story for the stage, but how to perform and tell them, too.
Family and friends are invited to the final session to hear the participants' stories.
📍 Overflow Brewing (2477 Kaladar Ave)
📅 August 21 at 6:30 p.m.
💸 $15 advance tickets or $20 at the door
🚗 Free parking available
Visit Overflow Brewing for an evening of craft beer, connecting with the community, and live music!
It doesn't matter if you've got a squad, a date, or are flying solo; this event has something for you.
Listen to talented performers BLK PRL and OK Naledi (with Kira on drums) while discovering a community and celebrating Pride.
📍 Riverain Park (400 N River Rd)
📅 August 21 at 6:30 p.m.
💸 Free, donations accepted (and encouraged)
🚗 Free parking available
Check out Ottawa's 2SLGBTQI+ Softball League as they hit the diamond on August 23.
This charity softball event is in honour of Bruce House, an organization committed to providing services and support for those living with HIV/AIDS.
If you're not part of the league, don't worry! Volunteers are the backbone of this event and the sign-up sheet will be posted soon here.
📍 Queen St. Fare (170 Queen St)
📅 August 23 at 7:30 p.m.
💸 $30 advance tickets, $40 after Aug. 17
🚗 Street parking available, public transit recommended
Break it down with Lez Go, Ottawa's lesbian+ events group.
Come check out the talents of DJ PowrHaus, DJ Roxy Sunset, vocalist Rachelle Behrens, and dancer Haley Robinson as they play and perform your favourite gay anthems and dance floor hits.
Your ticket includes access to a photo backdrop, colour-coordinated glow sticks, a snack table, raffle prize draws, and a 50-50 ticket sale.
📍 Minto Park (102 Lewis St)
📅 August 23 at 1:00 p.m.
💸 Free!
🚗 Paid parking available, public transit recommended
Swing by Minto Park to support the Ottawa Dyke March.
Not only is this a fantastic rally to support, but a community gathering is also taking place afterwards at 2:30 p.m., where you'll be able to mingle and support small businesses at a curated market.
This is a great initiative to check out ahead of the Capital Pride Parade.
📍 Arts Court (2 Daly Ave)
📅 August 23 at 2:00 p.m.
💸 Free!
🚗 Various parking available nearby
Get your dancing shoes on for a night of square dancing, hosted by the Ottawa Date Squares.
Whether you've got two left feet or are a total pro, instructors will be available to guide you through the choreography.
If you've been thinking about joining in on the square dancing craze, the Pride Social Square Dance is the perfect event for you!
📍 Arts Court (2 Daly Ave)
📅 August 20 at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
💸 Free, but ticket required
🚗 Various parking available nearby
Visit an intriguing panel about the history of blood donation and the 2SLGBTQ+ community in Canada.
This panel is hosted in collaboration with pflag Canada and is full of experts who are sure to teach you plenty about the topic through their diverse perspectives.
📍 Fourth Stage - National Arts Centre (1 Elgin St)
📅 August 20 at 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
💸 Free, but ticket required
🚗 Paid parking available
Check out this panel at the NAC focusing on human rights.
Participate in an engaging discussion about queer community building with a panel of experts providing a range of perspectives from around the word. This panel is presented by Capital Pride in partnership with the European Union and Dignity Network Canada.
Capital Pride Pageant
📍 Southam Hall - National Arts Centre (1 Elgin St)
📅 August 21 at 8:00 p.m.
🚗 Paid parking available
Grab your ticket and attend one of the hottest Pride productions in Ottawa: the Capital Pride Pageant! Watch as local drag performers compete for the titles of Mr., Mx., and Ms. Capital Pride 2025.
Along with the competitors, you'll get to see former winners show what they're made of.
This event will be ASL interpreted and you can book ASL tickets using a code on the NAC's website.
📍 Atrium O'Brien - National Arts Centre (1 Elgin St)
📅 July 14 through August 31
💸 Free!
🚗 Paid parking available
In a pop-up exhibit by the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, learn all about "the Purge." From the 1950s to the 1990s, the Government of Canada investigated, harassed, and expelled 2SLGBTQI+ members of the Canadian Armed Forces who wished to serve their country.
This harrowing exhibit highlights the brave activists who fought back and the impacts of a national policy that violated human rights.
Capital Pride Parade
📍 Starts on Elgin St and Laurier Ave, full map here
📅 August 24 at 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
💸 Free!
🚗 Public transit highly recommended
Easily one of the most highly anticipated activities during Pride Month!
Don't miss out on the annual Pride Parade, full of over 10,000 marchers coming together loudly and proudly.
The parade route can be found on Capital Pride's website; we highly suggest planning your route so you can make the most of it from the best spot.
Are you planning to check out any Ottawa Pride events? Let us know in the comments!
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