A region of 1.2 million people and est, 120,000+ 2SLGBTQ+ residents
New Releases
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Department of Canadian Heritage BCAH Grant Supports York Pride
A grant of $22,500 will be awarded to help the organization carry out its activities, under the Building Communities through Arts and Heritage Program, Local Festivals Component.
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Upper Canada & Hillcrest Mall expand 2SLGBTQ+ Programming
York Pride celebrates its new partnership with Upper Canada and Hillcrest Mall. In celebration of York Pride get a sneak peek of the upcoming interactive and family-friendly events that will be held this June at each property.
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BRIGHT THE NIGHT: A CLUB Q VIGIL: Victims remembered
On Thursday November 24th from 7:00-8:00pm at the Markham Civic Centre in the plaza between the council chambers and the Flato Markham Theatre. This event will be held outdoors, with light refreshments available.
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Ontario Funds will Support York Pride Festival Post-COVID-19
A grant for $27,990 funding support through the Ontario Reconnect program will ensure York Pride stabilizes post-pandemic.
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Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage
Department of Canadian Heritage Canada is investing $21,600 to help support the two-day event in Newmarket and enable York Pride to ensure local emerging artists within the Greater Toronto Area are supported.
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The Province of Ontario supports York Pride Festival with boost
Through the Experience Ontario grant, York Pride will receive $20,000 from the province in 2024 to support more tourism in the York Region.
Media Inquiries
York Pride has swiftly emerged as a prominent household name, igniting record-breaking attendance since our inception. With over 25,000 families, friends, and community members converging in past celebrations, the stage is set for an even more remarkable future.
As we continue to make history and embrace the spirit of pride in York Region, there's no better time for media outlets to be on-site. Capture the electric atmosphere, share compelling stories of inclusivity and celebration, and be a part of the transformative movement that defines York Pride. Join us in shaping narratives, fostering understanding, and amplifying voices as we champion diversity and unity.
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Pioneering Progress: York Pride's Evolution from Struggle to Success
For over a decade, from 2001 to 2012, York Pride faced challenges in attracting new attendees to our events. However, from 2013 to 2016, our team initiated transformative changes, introducing annual highlights such as our pride parade and park concerts. Since 2017, our festival planning team has been dedicated to elevating our programming and amplifying the visibility of our vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ community.
Our mission is clear: to craft new and captivating experiences that draw thousands of local and out-of-town guests to our events. Despite the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on community engagement in 2020 and 2021, York Pride remained resilient. With support from Canadian Heritage and TD Bank, we innovatively pivoted to digital streaming for two years, ensuring our community stayed connected.
Looking ahead, our focus is on restoring crowd retention, offering hybrid programming options, and preparing for our landmark 25th milestone event in 2025. By 2025, York Pride aims to unveil 4 new major events, including Skate with Pride, Two-day Pride Festival, Outback Camping and HallowQueen. while introducing our innovative Pride Pod—a mobile event activation set to engage over 250,000 individuals per-year. Funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario
Excitingly, York Pride is just one part of a broader movement in Ontario, with approximately 70+ other pride festivals and events driving forward 2SLGBTQ+ equity, acceptance, travel and spending. Together, we're writing the next chapter of pride history, ensuring our organization thrives and continues to be a beacon of inclusion and celebration for all.