Now in its 19th year, one of Canada's largest and most jubilant gay celebrations is Montreal, Quebec's Divers/Cite festival, held in late July and early August (this year, it's July 30 to August 4, 2013). Montreal, of course, is one of North America's friendliest, most stylish, and most enthusiastic cities when it comes to gay culture - this is the case year-round, even during the city's chilly winters. But during Divers/Cite, the entire city seems to glow pink.
Book rooms and compare rates on hotels in Montreal during Divers/Cite.
More on Divers/Cite 2013 will appear her as information is released. Here'a s look at last year's event, in the meantime:
Divers/Cite used to be Montreal's Gay Pride event but now functions as a separate gay and lesbian cultural festival. It should not to be confused with Montreal Pride/Fierte Montreal, which is held just a couple of weeks later, from August 12 to August 18, 2013.
Divers/Cite is focused around nearly a week of parties, celebrations, film screenings, and fun, and as this year marks the 20th anniversary of Divers/Cite, some big happenings are planned, including outdoor events taking place in the Old Port area on Jacques-Cartier Pier. More about Divers/Cite Montreal 2012 will be posted here closer to the event - here's a look back at last year's event, in the meantime:
The festivities begin on Monday with a Cinema Dans Le Parc presentation of the film J'ai tue ma mere. Then throughout the coming week, participants can enjoy a wide range of cultural events. On Wednesday there's an opera night. Other notable events include a dance presentation called Flexx, the Boulevard des Reves variety show on Thursday, and a Friends For Life Bike Rally on Friday, a night that also features a New Society trance concert and DJ Pagano at the Gay Village's Club Parking.
Not surprisingly, on Saturday you'll discover a variety of earth-shattering parties related to Divers/Cite, including Mascara, La Nuit Des Drags at the TELUS Stage on Rue Berri; the Sunset Party in Emelie-Gamelin with DJs Paulo, Alain Jackinsky, Ana Paula, and Isaac Escalante; a massive women's party called Lesbomonde featuring Kish/Delish, Sandy Duperval, and other friends; and the D/C Party after-hours party, which runs from midnight until noon the next day and shows off the beats of DJs Peter Rauhofer and Etienne Ozborne.
If you thought Sunday was for resting, think again. Divers/Cite still has plenty in store for you on Sunday, including Le Grand Bal Disco at 3 pm in Emelie-Gamelin Park, and La Grand Danse at 2 pm at the TELUS Stage on Rue Berri. Later, you can finish off all the week's fun with the final Divers/Cite Ball, starting at 1 am (technically Monday morning) at Stereo Club.
Many gay bars as well as gay-popular restaurants, hotels, and shops have special events and parties throughout the week. Check the city's great gay resources, such as Tourism Montreal's Gay Website and the "Queer Montreal" online guide to the city.
