A celebration of all things gay and LGBTQ+, New West Pride Week takes place in New Westminster in August. It features a variety of fun events to take part in.
In 2023 the New West Pride’s main street party-style event happens on Saturday, August 19th. That’s the same day as the Chilliwack Pride Festival which is also an awesome free event with an LGBTQ+ theme. Also happening in the Fraser Valley that same weekend are the Chilliwack Corn Maze, Chilliwack Flight Fest, Ribfest Langley and Abbotsford Summer Flower Festival. August 19th is also the first day of the season for the PNE Fair in Vancouver.
To learn about what else is happening in the Lower Mainland, see our August Calendar of Events or article about What’s Happening This Weekend. To learn about the LGBTQ+ event in New Westminster, continue reading.
New West Pride Festival
New West Pride Week is in August each year. The 2023 dates are from August 10th to 20th. The main events are the free New West Pride Street Festival on August 19th and the ticketed Untoxicated event which takes place that same day.
There are various other events that take place over the course of the week. Some are free and some cost an admission fee. There are drag performances, dance parties, trivia nights and plenty more.
The Street Festival and Untoxicated
The New West Pride Street Festival takes place on Columbia Street between Fourth and Eighth Avenue in downtown New Westminster. The 2023 event happens on Saturday, August 19th, from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. There are two stages with live entertainment as well as various roving performers.
Below is the schedule for the 2023 event.
Main Stage
- 3:00 pm – Jesse Lee Schulte
- 3:35 pm – Lola Lovegood
- 4:10 pm – Norine Braun
- 4:50 pm – Jandrou
- 5:30 pm – Rebel Will
- 6:15 pm – Subtop Band
- 6:55 pm – Matthew Presidente Band
- 7:35 pm – Leo D.E. Johnson
Community/Street Stage
- 3:00 pm – Opening Ceremony
- 3:30 pm – Rainbow Chorus
- 4:05 pm – Pet & Awards Ceremony
- 4:45 pm – Hidden Wonders
- 5:10 pm – Blue Chu
- 5:50 pm – Dear Milo
- 6:30 pm – Devilicious & Nimrat the Drag
- 7:20 pm – DJ Hollyaholly
In addition to the above, at the event there are roving circus and dance performers moving throughout the festival area.
For those who are 19+, there is a beer garden to enjoy with food trucks nearby as well. There is also a kids’ area with some activities for the younger ones. The Street Festival is free to enjoy for all.
Untoxicated
Untoxicated takes place on the same Saturday as the street party from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Anvil Centre at 777 Columbia Street. It costs around $55 to attend and is an entirely substance-free event. Many top drag queens are at this event including Monet X Change, Jaida Essence Hall, Icesis Couture and others.
The Anvil Centre is within the area in which the Street Festival takes place, making it easily accessible for anyone who wishes to experience both activities over the course of the day. For those who wish to have the chance to be even closer to some of the drag queens, there are meet and greet opportunities available.
Other Pride Events
While Pride Week is technically from August 10th to 20th, most of the 2023 events didn’t start until the 15th. Below is a listing of some of the main things to check out this year.
Tuesday, August 15th, 2023
- Pride Trivia Night at Kelly O’Bryans & Carlos O’Bryans (6:30 pm)
- Steel & Oak Taster Night at Steel & Oak Tasting Room (7:00 pm)
- Pride Karaoke at The Terminal Pub (8:00 pm)
Wednesday, August 16th, 2023
- Rainbow Lunch and Brunch at Begbies Tavern (11:45 am)
- Pride Hoedown at Century House (2:00 pm)
- Music by the River at New Westminster Pier Park (6:00 pm)
Thursday, August 17th, 2023
- Queer Coffee Chats at Delicia Café & Bakery (2:00 pm)
- Queer Gallery Opening at Moodswing (5:00 pm)
- Pie for Pride at Tipperary Park (5:00 pm)
Friday, August 18th, 2023
- Bears in the Burbs Social at The Met Bar & Grill (6:00 pm)
- Rainbow Aerial Yoga at Sea2Sky Wellness Club (6:30 pm)
- New West Pride Film Feast at Douglas College Laura Muir Theatre (7:00 pm)
- DJ Dance Party at The Terminal Pub (8:00 pm)
Saturday, August 19th, 2023
- Pride Pet Parade at Bosley’s (3:00 pm)
- Jazz Cats Social at Century House (6:30 pm)
Sunday, August 20th, 2023
- Church Service at Shiloh Fifth Avenue United Church (11:30 am)
Other Information
For more information about the LGBTQ+ event in New Westminster, visit the New West Pride website.
Other similar events at other times of the year in other communities in the Lower Mainland include the following:
- Chilliwack Pride Festival
- Vancouver Pride Festival
- Vancouver Pride Parade
- Squamish Pride at Britannia Mine
- Pride at the Pier in North Vancouver
Other articles that might be of interest include the following:
