Pride at the Pier is a free event celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It features music, drag performances and other activities at North Vancouver’s Shipyards.
This year the event took place on August 4th (which was on the BC Day Long Weekend). On the same day and at the same venue, there was also the Shipyards Night Market which is an awesome event in and of itself. In 2023, August 4th was Pride Night at the market!
Other great events with a 2SLGBTQIA+ theme this past year included Really Gay History Tours with Forbidden Vancouver and a Pride Boat Party with Vancouver Boat Parties. There was also the Vancouver Pride Parade and Vancouver Pride Festival on the BC Day long weekend, and the Chilliwack Pride Festival in the Fraser Valley on August 19th.
This article contains the following information about Pride at the Pier:
What to Expect | Tips and 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 2023 the event celebrated its fifth year when it ran on Friday, August 4th, from 5:00 pm until 10:00 pm at Shipbuilders’ Square in North Vancouver. Pride at the Pier didn’t happen in 2020 or in 2021, but it did in 2023.
The venue for the event was at 115 Victory Ship Way which is just a five-minute walk from Lonsdale Quay. If arriving via the North Shore’s SeaBus terminal, you would head east from Lonsdale Quay and you’d see the festivities on the other side of the Tap and Barrel restaurant.
In 2023 the event was hosted by local drag queen celebrity Conni Smudge. Other drag performers this past year included Aria Reddy, Carlota Gurl, Phyllis Hull and Virgina Slim. There was also other entertainment with standup comic Tin Lorica and musicians Matthew Presidente and Jason Gwen & Nicole Demers.
PRIDE WEEK WALKING TOURS
Forbidden Vancouver is a family-run tour company that offers walking tours of downtown Vancouver. During the Vancouver Pride Festival in 2023 the tour group offered its Really Gay History Tours in Vancouver’s West End on August 3rd, 4th, 6th and 7th. For much of the rest of the year, the tours happen on Sunday mornings.
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 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 and 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. Its 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.
Other Information
To learn more about this North Vancouver 2SLGBTQIA+ event, see the North Shore Pride Alliance‘s Facebook page.
For details about other similar (and larger) Pride Week-related events, see our article about the Vancouver Pride Parade & Festival.
To learn about gay and colourful events in other municipalities in the region, see our article about Lower Mainland Pride Events.
For information about the surrounding area, check out any of the following:
