Fierté Montreal has unveiled the program for the 20th Pride Week, happening July 31 to Aug. 9.
The festival draws thousands of people to the city each year, cementing Montreal’s reputation as one of North America’s premier Pride destinations and the largest LGBTQ+ gathering in the French-speaking world.
The pride festival will include performances by Montreal artists on stages throughout the Village, including mostly free events every day.
“We have 100, 150 artists, mostly local artists,” said interim executive director of Fierté Montreal Higino Monteiro. “We are very excited to be here. In the long run, it was very important to us to bring back the energy and bring back the festival in the Village.”
Festivities will begin on July 31 with a drag night featuring the Course Capotée. The program continues with Latin dancing, cabaret, and Bollywood performances.
Montreal’s Village will host most events with shows at 7 p.m. every evening at the Loto-Quebec Stage at the corner of Papineau Avnue and Sainte-Catherine Street East.
“I think it has been a rough year for the communities in general, so it is an occasion to just enjoy what we are offering to you. And obviously we’re trying to just add a little bit of political powder in our show, but it’s gonna be epic,” said drag performer Rita Baga.
Baga, a finalist in the first season of Canada’s Drag Race, will be performing on Aug 7 with Barbada at La Soirée 100% Drag.
The 10 days of festivities conclude Aug. 9 when tens of thousands of participants will come together at a pride parade through the Village.
“It’s important to find a way to celebrate, and not only to celebrate ourselves, but to celebrate the different victories that we had during the last year,” said Baga.
A full list of the festival’s programming can be found online.
