Toronto 2020 Gay Pride

Celebrating one of the world's largest gay pride events

Justin Trudeau gay pride
Ian Willms/Getty Images

Toronto celebrates Gay Pride in the month of June. In 2019 the events culminated with a festival weekend June 21 - 23. Toronto throws one of the biggest Pride celebrations anywhere.

One of North America's leading gay destinations, Toronto has been holding Pride observances since the '70s, and events have been held annually here since 1981. These days, Toronto Pride's most prominent event, the Pride Parade (held at the end of June), draws more than 1.2 million spectators and participants annually, making it one of the top such draws in the world.

The key Toronto Gay Pride events generally take place in the city's Church Street area, around the intersection with Wellesley Street - a neighborhood also known as the Gay Village.

More information about 2020 will become released as it's made available. In previous years the events have included:

Pride festivities kick off at the start of June, with a Flag Raising Ceremony and an Official Pride Launch Party. Be sure to check out the Pride month calendar to see the impressive collection of performers and speakers.

The official Toronto Pride Month comprises a series of parties and events. The Pride Community Street Fair and Marketplace runs throughout Pride Festival Weekend, showcasing hundreds of artists, retailers, community organizations, food vendors, and more. It takes place right in the heart of the Gay Village, along Church Street and intersecting Wellesley Street East, and runs from 7 pm until 2 am on Friday, noon until 2 am on Saturday, and from noon until 11 pm on Sunday. There are also several different entertainment stages set up throughout the Gay Village over Pride Festival Weekend.

Family Pride takes place on the grounds of Church Street Public Elementary School over both days of Pride Weekend; activities include crafts, games, children's entertainment, and more.

The annual Trans Community Fair will take place on Friday, including a rally and march.

The much-anticipated Toronto Dyke March is held on Saturday of festival weekend. It begins on Church and Hayden streets and continues west along Bloor, south down Yonge, east on Carlton, and then proceeds to the rally at Allan Gardens.

The Toronto Gay Pride weekend culminates on Sunday at 2 pm, with the Toronto Gay Pride Parade, a hugely attended procession that commences at the intersection of Bloor Street East and Church Street. It then heads west to Yonge Street and proceeds south all the way to Yonge-Dundas Square, where the Final Play Pride Festival celebration takes place from 2 pm until 11 pm and features a slew of exciting artists.

Looking for tips on what to see and do while attending Pride? Check out the Toronto Top Attractions and Experiences Guide

Toronto Gay Resources

You'll find that most of Toronto's gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout Pride, and most of these establishments are located in the Church Street Gay Village. Check local gay papers for details, such as Xtra Toronto, a terrific and informative resource, as is IN Magazine. For more comprehensive information on visiting the city, check out the excellent GLBT travel site produced by Toronto Tourism.