The Pride Festival

Our Pride Festival is the heart of Thunder Pride’s annual celebrations right here in Thunder Bay, Ontario. Pride events in Thunder Bay first began in 2011, and our festival was the second-ever Pride Festival launched in Northern Ontario. This year, for the first time, it will be a multi-day event full of music, art, and connection. It’s a joyful showcase of 2SLGBTQIA+ culture and a space where everyone of all ages and backgrounds is welcome to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Thunder Pride’s festival highlights local vendors, artisans, businesses, and talent, and brings the community together through live performances, family-friendly activities, great local food, resources from community organizations, and plenty of opportunities to connect and celebrate.

  • Pride festivals in Canada grew out of activism and protest. In the early 1970s, marches like the 1971 “We Demand” rally in Ottawa pushed for legal and social change, setting the groundwork for what would become Pride as we know it today. By 1973, communities were organizing more coordinated Pride Week events across the country often a mix of rallies, meetings, and community picnics in cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montréal.

    What began as small, high-risk demonstrations gradually expanded into larger public celebrations of visibility and solidarity. Key moments, including the 1981 Toronto bathhouse raids, galvanized organizing efforts and strengthened community networks. Over time, Pride also broadened to better reflect the diversity within the 2SLGBTQI+ community, with major additions like the Dyke March (first held in Toronto in 1996) and the Trans March (launched in Toronto in 2009), helping Pride evolve into a more inclusive movement for rights, recognition, and belonging.

  • The Vibe

    Expect a “Pride in The Park” atmosphere. Colourful, welcoming, and designed for all ages:

    • Music and live performances

    • Community booths (local orgs, groups, resources)

    • Family-friendly activities

  • We have many opportunities and positions available. Please head over to our Volunteer Portal to get the most up-to-date information on available positions.