This year, Kelowna is hosting a month-long (May 30th-June 30th) Pride celebration full of fun and festivities for everyone to come together as a community to promote love, diversity, and acceptance.

2025's Pride theme is Rise and Resist, where we will celebrate LGBTQIA2S+ history, achievements, and progress, while also raising awareness for the ongoing struggles for equality and justice that members face each day.

What to Do During Kelowna Pride Month 2025

^{Kelowna Pride March. Photo: Shoaib Shabir Media}

The first event will kick off on Friday May 30th at Red Bird Brewing, where the eight finalists of Kelowna’s Next Drag Superstar will give it their all and battle it out for the title, glory, and of course the cash prize. The event will be hosted by Ella Lamoureux and is sure to be filled with plenty of laughs and epic performances as a new drag superstar is crowned. There will be special guest judges, but the audience will determine the ultimate winner. This is a 19+ event, and government ID will be required.

Get your flags and banners ready! The 2025 Kelowna Pride March will be held on Saturday, May 31st, at Stuart Park at 9 am. There will be a welcoming and pre-show entertainment, followed by speakers starting around 10 am. The march will begin at 10:30 am and will run along the waterfront towards City Park. The festival will run until 3 pm for a day filled with entertainment, vendors, and activities for all ages. The full list of performers will be available on the Kelowna Pride website soon.

The Fruitcake Official Kelowna Pride After Party is one you won’t want to miss out on! Following the Pride Parade and Festival on the 31st, rock legend Bif Naked will be headlining at Red Bird Brewing for a night full of hot performances. Hosting the night is none other than the face of Kelowna drag – Ella Lamoureux. Opening the show is Vancouver’s piano powerhouse Matthew Presidente who will be joined by longtime guitarist Pedwell. There will also be a special performance by LBEE the Drag Jack, who is known for bringing his storytelling and theatre to the stage. All outdoor seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with booths available for reservation on request. Doors open at 7 pm with the show starting at 8 pm.

New this year is the All Wheels Welcome Ride for Pride, a fully accessible event for people with all types of mobility issues. Dress up in your best pride swag, decorate those wheels, and meet at The Rotary Center for the Arts common area on June 8th at 11 am. The ride begins at 11:30 am and will arrive at Railside Brewing by 12 pm. Kelowna Cycle will be on hand offering free tune-ups and maintenance advice, and food from Rocket Subs, Craft 42, and Cheffrey 911 will also be available. Prizes for the best-decorated will be awarded.

Another event that is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face is the annual Pets for Pride Parade. On June 14th at 1 pm, gather at Knox Mountain Regional Park and strut your stuff down the mountain with your furry friends! You will pass by a demonstration from Central Okanagan Dog Agility Club on your way to Poplar Point Dog Beach, where the costume contest winners will be announced. This year, they have several categories for you to sign up for.

• Aroooo Paul – A Drag Queen/King/Thing Inspired Costume
• Lady and the Tramp Camp – The Campiest Costume
• Rainbow Royalty – Rainbow Realness: Let’s see those pride colours!
• Iconic Duo – Match Your Pet!

^{Trans & Enby March and Celebration. Photo: Shoaib Shabir Media}

The Trans & Enby March and Celebration is an all-ages event that will take place on June 20th from 5 pm-8 pm. The March begins at Stuart Park and will make its way to the Jubilee Bowl at City Park with the show beginning at 6 pm. There will be food trucks, plenty of vendors, and ASL Interpreters on site.

Last year over 600 people took part in the first ever Two-Spirit Powwow, with the 2nd annual event aiming to break that number. Lead by Two Spirit people across the Syilx territory and beyond, join them at City Park on June 28th from 12 pm-6 pm for a full-day celebration of Indigenous identity, culture, and community. A few of the event highlights include the Two Spirit special, the crowning of 2S Royalty, vendor markets featuring Indigenous artists and makers, and community and cultural booths.

Please be mindful and respect that there will be no recording allowed of the opening prayer, and no pets or crossing of the center of the dance circle. Please do not take photos or touch dancers' regalia without asking for permission.

Kelowna Pride started over 25 years ago and continues to grow in participation each year. Regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity, come out and support the largest pride festival in the BC Interior. For more details on this years Pride events, please visit the Kelowna Pride website.