With a population of roughly 1 million, Calgary is Alberta's largest city and the third-largest municipality in Canada. This sprawling, modern metropolis at the eastern base of the Canadian Rockies has long been considered a bit more conservative than Vancouver, Toronto, and other major Canadian cities - in part owing to the city's agricultural- and oil-industry-based economy - but especially in recent years, the city's sizable LGBT community has become highly visible and prominent. Each year in late August and early September, the community organizes for Calgary Gay Pride - the dates this year are August 26 through September 2, 2013, but the main events are during Labor Day weekend (Friday, August 30 through Monday, September 2). About 25,000 people are expected to attend Pride this year.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Calgary during Gay Pride.
More details about Calgary Pride will be added here as information becomes available. Here's a look at last year's event, in the meantime:
The main events of Calgary Pride are on Sunday and include the Calgary Pride Parade, which begins at noon at Olympic Plaza and continues to Shaw Millennium Park. Thus begins the Calgary Pride Street Festival, taking place from noon until 6 pm at Shaw Millennium Park and featuring a huge beer garden, one main stage (with performances by Peter Breeze, top DJs, and more), and community organizations and vendors.
Other events include the Pride Kick Off Party on Friday at the stylish Hotel Arts, with a guest appearance by the Perry Twins; a Pure Pride dance on Saturday, at Flames Central; and a Pride Wrap-Up Party on the evening of Sunday, September 2, at The Bank, with special guest DJ Lisa Delux.
Additionally, gay-popular bars, restaurants, hotels, and shops in the area have more going on than usual during Pride week. Check local resources about the Calgary gay scene, such as Gay Calgary Magazine and the national GLBT magazine Outlooks, which is based in Calgary. Also take a look at the helpful visitor site produced by the city's official tourism organization, Tourism Calgary.
