06/11/2026
‘Why do we have Pride Month in June and Pride Week in August/September? This question has been asked of our Rainbow Team.
For Calgarians this year, Pride Week is taking place August 31 to September 6, 2026. For over 35 years Calgary Pride has brought communities together to celebrate visibility, creativity, and belonging.
One of St. Andrew’s stated values is “Accepting: honouring different ways of thinking, perspectives, languages, cultures, races and genders, enabling the Spirit’s creative spark to bring forth new possibilities.” A second stated value is “Welcoming: Inviting you to experience God’s presence and love in community, whoever you are and whatever your circumstances. We affirm that gender and sexuality are gifts of God, and welcome people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.
The June celebration of Pride is now known as Pride Season. The occasion used to be referred to as Pride Month as determined by the federal government.
Pride Season is the term referring to the wide range of Pride events that take place over the summer (June to September) across Canada when 2SLGBTQI+ communities and allies come together to spotlight the resilience, celebrate the talent, and recognize the contributions of 2SLGBTQI+ communities. Although special attention is paid to the Pride events during the summer months, they happen throughout the year in many communities.
Historically, Pride gatherings emerged from the first large-scale protests for 2SLGBTQI+ rights. In Canada, the first demonstrations took place in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971. By 1973, Pride events were held in several Canadian cities, including Montréal, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg. Toronto's Pride weekend in June is now among the largest Pride events in North America.
Beyond the Festival Market site downtown there will be a network of venues across the city hosting Pride events. This will include performances, discussion panels and art markets, each event contributing to the larger celebration of q***r arts and community life.
Of special interest is the Citywide Pride Interfaith Service; which is an annual inclusive worship service celebrating the intersection of faith and 2SLGBTQIA+ identity. The service is organized by Affirming Connections and Calgary’s Network of Affirming Faith Communities. This interfaith event is inspiring in learning from other faith communities how they embrace each other.
The Pride parade is set for September 6, 2026.
For more information about Calgary Pride visit: https://calgarypride.ca/