Pride at the Pier

Pride at the Pier is an event celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It features music, drag performances and other activities at North Vancouver’s Shipyards.

The event takes place at the beginning of August, around the same time as the BC Day Long Weekend. On the same day and at the same venue, there’s also the Shipyards Night Market which is an awesome event in and of itself. Actually, in 2024, the two events were one and the same. On August 2nd, 2024, it was Pride Night at the market and that’s where all the Pride-themed events typically take place.

Other great events with a 2SLGBTQIA+ theme usually include Really Gay History Tours with Forbidden Vancouver, the Vancouver Pride Parade and Vancouver Pride Festival, and the Chilliwack Pride Festival in the Fraser Valley.

This article contains the following information about Pride at the Pier:

What to Expect | Tips & Advice | Other Information

Pride at the Pier

Pride at the Pier is a free event that’s part of Vancouver Pride Week and all are welcome.

In 2024 the event celebrated its sixth year when it ran on Friday, August 2nd, from 3:00 pm until 10:00 pm at Shipbuilders’ Square in North Vancouver.

The venue is at 115 Victory Ship Way which is just a five-minute walk from Lonsdale Quay. If arriving via the North Shore’s SeaBus terminal, head east from Lonsdale Quay and you will see the festivities on the other side of the Tap & Barrel restaurant.

Local drag queen celebrity Conni Smudge has hosted the event in the past. Other drag artists who’ve previously performed were Aria Reddy, Carlota Gurl, Phyllis Hull and Virgina Slim. There has also been other entertainment, with standup comic Tin Lorica and musicians Matthew Presidente and Jason Gwen & Nicole Demers performing. Details about the performers who have participated in the event in 2024 were to be confirmed.

PRIDE WEEK WALKING TOURS

Forbidden Vancouver is a family-run tour company that offers walking tours of downtown Vancouver. During the Vancouver Pride Festival the tour group offers its Really Gay History Tours in Vancouver’s West End. The tours take place weekly throughout most of the year, but they happen more frequently than normal during August most years.

What to Expect

At Pride at the Pier you can expect to see a small number of participants dressed in colourful drag costumes (i.e. clothing of members of the opposite gender). More than that, though, you can expect to see gay, straight and 2SLGBTQIA+-friendly and supporting folks dancing and having a great time. There are kids with their families, and people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations.

Pride at the Pier is an all-ages dance party that’s open to everybody. There are typically DJ tunes, food trucks and kid-friendly things to do. There are also usually prize pack giveaways and fun photo opportunities. It’s a fun and colourful event!

Tips & Advice

Below are some tips and advice to help you make the most of your experience at Pride at the Pier.

TIP #1: Take public transit if you can. The SeaBus is just a short walk away!

TIP #2: There are some great restaurants in the area. The Tap & Barrel, Pier 7 and Pinnacle Hotel‘s The Lobby Restaurant are all right there by Shipbuilders’ Square. There are other fabulous places to eat just across the street at the bottom of Lonsdale Avenue too. Click North Vancouver Restaurants for a list of establishments.

TIP #3: You don’t have to be gay, lesbian, queer, transgendered, two-spirited or queer to have fun at Pride at the Pier, just like you don’t have to be from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community to enjoy Vancouver’s much larger Pride Parade & Festival on the same weekend. It’s an inclusive event that’s open to everyone.

TIP #4: While in the area, explore Lonsdale Quay and check out its public market. It closes at around 7:00 pm, though, so go earlier than later.

TIP #5: North Vancouver’s Shipyards District is a wonderful place to explore. You can actually walk for miles along the Spirit Trail in both directions. If you want to rent e-bikes, we recommend Reckless Shipyards. Their rental rates are very competitive.

TIP #6: If you want to make a weekend out of your time at Pride on the Pier, consider staying at one of the area hotels. The Pinnacle at the Pier is one of the nicer ones, especially if you get a room with a view. There are other hotels in the area too.