What to look for when Halifax's Pride Festival kicks off on Thursday

The Halifax Pride Festival's 10-day celebration kicks off on Thursday.

The Halifax Pride Festival’s 11-day celebration kicks off Thursday. Pride Festival events, recognizing the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, will continue through Sunday, July 26. A flag-raising event Thursday at Grand Parade from 5-5:30 p.m. opens the festivities.

Thousands are expected to attend Saturday’s Pride Parade, while several major attractions are set for the Garrison Grounds at Citadel Hill. While Pride Month is recognized in June to commemorate the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, Halifax Pride honours the first Pride March in Halifax in July 1988. “Hosting the festival in July reflects the community’s unique history and origins as a march protesting harassment and discrimination,” according to the municipal website.

This is what you need to know. Where can I find a schedule of events for the Pride Festival? Halifax Pride’s calendar of events is here .

When does the Pride Parade begin? The parade will take place on Saturday, July 18, starting at noon. What is the parade route?

The parade starts at Cogswell Street/North Park Street. From there, it turns south onto Barrington Street, then turns west onto Spring Garden Road, turns north onto South Park Street, follows north onto Bell Road, passes the Garrison Grounds (festival site) and finishes on Ahern Avenue. Is there accessible viewing for the parade?

Accessible viewing, described viewing and an elders area are available on South Park Street. A low-sensory viewing area is available at the Spring Garden Area Business Association, 5475 Spring Garden Rd. How can I watch the Pride Parade if I am unable to attend?

The parade will be streamed at cbc.ca/ns and on CBC Gem. What are some of the changes at the festival site? The site will be fully cashless this year.

Credit and debit payments will be accepted at the gate and across all bar locations. Drink tokens will no longer be used. Is there public parking at the festival site?

No. Vehicles parked in either the Sackville Street or Bell Road lots may be towed. Paid on-street parking begins this Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

What are some of the major events at the festival site? Thursday, 9 p.m. : melaNATION: A QTBIPOC showcase of high-energy celebrations of queer and trans Black, Indigenous and people of colour artists, blending live performance with a party atmosphere.

Friday, 9 p.m. : The Bump, the biggest drag event in Atlantic Canada. Saturday, 9 p.m. , The Grind, a late-night DJ party built for the dance floor. Sunday, 7:30 p.m. , Drag Bingo, a night where bingo gets a glow-up.

Wednesday, July 22, 6:30 p.m. , Gaylidh, a queer twist on a classic East Coast tradition. Thursday, July 23, 7:30 p.m. , Haliwood Queers, a live, high-energy gameshow inspired by Hollywood Squares, with a queer Halifax twist. Friday, July 24, 7 p.m., Pride Live, a concert and a look at what’s to come for Canada Pride.

Who is the ambassador for the parade? Related Nova Scotia government releases 2SLGBTQIA+ action plan to deal with hate and systemic inequities Annapolis Valley's small town with a 'progressive feeling' Fae Johnstone, executive director and co-founder of Queer Momentum, Canada’s only national organization fully focused on 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and movement building. She is shaped in grassroots organizing and committed to building a freer, more equal and just future for queer people and all marginalized communities.

Who was named the Candy Palmater Award recipient? Asiah Sparks is this year’s winner of the prize that celebrates the life, enthusiasm, talent and intelligence that flowed through Palmater’s work. Sparks is a polydisciplinary African Nova Scotian creative, storyteller, spoken word artist, advocate and arts facilitator from Dartmouth, with roots in the historically Black community of Lake Loon.