Montreal is the largest city in Quebec and it hosts Canada’s largest Pride events. This year, Fierté Montreal Pride will take place from August 9th to 19th. Join the fun and festivities surrounding this annual summertime tradition, mostly happening around Montréal’s Gay Village – one of the world’s oldest and biggest. Here’s your ultimate guide to Fierté Montreal Pride so that you don’t miss anything!
Events and Shows
There will be a number of shows and events happening during Pride. Highlights include:
The renowned Illusion spectacular will be the inaugural show of the free concert series. This year, it will be presented at Parc des Faubourgs. Michel Dorion’s annual Illusion concert on August 10th will feature a stellar cast of 30 Montréal drag performers – kings and queens.
Leading Ladies Show on August 11th is a concept that emphasizes the artistic talents of several Montreal-based ladies who are committed to celebrating sexual and gender diversity.
Drag Superstars, a free event on Thursday, August 16th at 8pm, will take place at the Parc des Faubourgs. Bianca Del Rio, winner of the sixth season of Rupaul’s Drag Race, will host this three-hour show.
The star-studded JET SET concert on August 18th, will feature Canadian Mia Martina, R&B singer and diva Deborah Cox, British singer-songwriter Calum Scott, and Youtube star Todrick Hall.
Mega T-Dance (featuring DJs Suri, Morabito, and Hex Hector) kicks off at 3 pm after the parade on August 19th with the 80s pop icon Samantha Fox performing at 8:30 pm as part of the closing show.
The Parade
The Pride parade on Sunday, August 19th begins at 1 pm, running along René-Lévesque Boulevard, beginning at Metcalfe Street, and ending at Alexandre-DeSève Street. Inspiration for the theme of the parade will, for a fifth year, be the rainbow flag – highlighting the color blue, which is the symbol of serenity and harmony.
The crowds lining the 2.7 km parade route are lighter at the beginning of the parade and get extremely crowded near the end, as it approaches the village. Go early to get a good spot!
Tip: A great spot to watch the parade is on the terrace at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, which is right on the parade’s route. They host an annual ‘pride parade watching party’ where you can stay hydrated with cocktails and watch the parade go by in style.
Food and Drinks
Montreal is filled with great restaurants, but just east of downtown is one of Montreal’s most well known neighbourhoods – the Gay Village (right by Beaudry Metro station, running along Saint Catherine Street). The Village is lined with restaurants and bars, and this is the place where you can see and be seen. Check out the article I wrote for ManAboutWorld with the top bars and restaurants in the Village!
Gay Nightlife
For nightlife, there are so many options! But here are a few highlights:
Cabaret Mado is a wild and spirited drag bar. The shows, which run most nights, have become somewhat of a tourist draw, but locals still frequent Mado too.
Club Unity is located in the heart of the gay village. It features several different rooms and a large terrace on the roof.
Sky Complex is the city’s most popular gay club/bar with several spaces, from a dance clue to a male strip bar, to a cabaret. The rooftop terrace is also amazing.
Montreal also has some the best male strip bars, including Stock Bar and Campus. Check them out, even if just for a drink.
For accommodation suggestions and ideas for other things to do while in Montreal, be sure to check out my previous blog post “48 Hours in Montreal”
Any recommendation on where to watch the parade?
The Fairmont Queen Elizabeth usually hosts a parade watch party on their rooftop terrace – it’s a great time. That said, you if you want to get close and personal, anywhere along Rene-Lévesque is good. Maybe closer to the village so that you can end with a drink 🙂