Event Dates
From: Saturday, August 19, 2023
To: Sunday, August 27, 2023
Ottawa Pride takes place each year during the third week of August hosting a diverse celebration across the city’s parks, streets, clubs & bars
Ottawa Pride takes place each year during the third week of August hosting a diverse celebration across the city’s parks, streets, clubs, bars and LGBT friendly businesses.
- Hotels in the gay village book up well in advance for pride and other events in the city, so plan ahead. Stay at the Alt Hotel Ottawa just a short walk from all the gay bars and clubs in the neighborhood.
Event Highlights
- Highlights of “Capital Pride”, as it is officially known, include sporting events, a Rainbow Party, a family picnic and the always-popular Pride Parade.
- Visitors can choose from a dozen signature events and more than 50 community events during the week long festival. Rainbow flags will be raised at six city buildings in Ottawa, including the Ottawa Fire Services, and Ottawa Paramedic Service.
Weekday Pride Events
- August 19th to 27th 2023
- Pride flag-raising ceremony will take place at Ottawa City Hall and at Gatineau City Hall
- Block Party takes place mid week at Aberdeen Square in Lansdowne Park.
- Capital Pride Pageant takes place at the Delta City Centre Hotel.
The Ottawa Pride Gay Village & Street Fair
The intersection of Bank Street and Somerset Street West, the center of Ottawa’s Gay Village, becomes an entertainment hub with live music, a community fair and a beer garden.
- The street fair on Bank Street starts at noon on both the final Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th August 2023.
- Festivities for families will take place Sunday at 2 p.m.
- Performances on the TD Main Stage at Bank and Somerset streets begin at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
- Stay close to the pride village in your own short term luxury apartment at SOHO Residences Lisgar, rated “Fabulous” by guests with an outdoor pool and city views.
The Main Parade
- The Capital Pride Parade sets off at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday 27th August, 2023 from Bank and Gladstone streets, heading up Kent Street and Laurier Avenue W. before ending at Bank and Somerset streets.
Gay Ottawa
- Ottawa’s compact downtown offers easy access to world renowned museums, beautiful art galleries, unique shops, fun tours, outdoor activities, great restaurants and fun entertainment.
- Ottawa is one of the oldest cities in North America and boasts many beautiful old streets, some with the original cobblestones lined with historic buildings as old as the 1700s. Many of these buildings have also been merged nicely with more historic architecture.
- This is a city with hot humid summers and cold and crispy winters. Residents ski in the nearby hills and go skating on the Rideau canal, which usually freezes completely over. It is home to Winterlude, Bluesfest, The Canadian Tulip festival, the Ottawa Dragon Boat Festival and Fringe Festival.
Gayborhoods & Bars
- In Ottawa gay life is centered around the downtown corner of Somerset and Bank Street. This area is also sometimes known as Centertown and has famous gay hangouts, clubs and restaurants.
- Discover the busiest clubs just off Bank on Somerset, and as far up as Sparks and Queen Streets towards the river. Make this your first stop in finding gay Ottawa.
- The trendy downtown ByWard Market area is full of cafes and boutiques, with over 80 places to dine out.
- The Glebe neighborhood of South Ottawa has maintained a strong and lively traditional main street, home to many one-of-a-kind shops.
- The Lookout Bar – Ottawa’s most popular LGBTQ+ and all-welcoming bar located in the heart of the Byward Market with regular drag shows & karaoke nights offering late-night dancing & cocktails.
- Mercury Lounge – Mainstream club and host to special theme nights during the pride celebrations. Three story club with stylish interior.
- Swizzles – Located Downtown with friendly staff featuring karaoke and cabaret nights.
Where to stay during Ottawa Pride?
The following hotels are close to all the city’s top attractions and the pride celebrations. They are highly-rated by our readers:
Fairmont Chateau, The Westin, The Metcalfe Hotel, The Business Inn
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top selections with the best rates.
The Fairmont Chateau is where we
stay in Ottawa, close to the gay bars.
For further information and advice on
Ottawa Pride visit The Website
The Ottawa gay scene is is quite small and its easy to get from one bar to another
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Ottawa that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Featuring an indoor pool, this historic hotel is located in central Ottawa, adjacent to the Parliament Buildings and Rideau Canal. It features elegant dining options and spacious rooms with a flat-screen cable TV. Tea- and coffee-making facilities and a minibar in every room. All rooms include a work desk and windows that open to the outside. The bathroom offers bathrobes.
Directly across from the National Arts Centre, this non-smoking, landmark hotel is only steps from major attractions, and offers spacious accommodations with 49-inch TVs and first-class amenities in the city centre of Canada’s capital. Guests at the hotel can also enjoy ice skating on Rideau Canal in the winter or exploring the vibrant shops and restaurants in Byward Market.
Featuring an indoor pool, the Westin Ottawa is located next to the Rideau Centre Shopping Mall and the Shaw Centre. The non-smoking hotel offers a bar and 2 on-site restaurants, Daly’s and the Shore Club. Every guest room is equipped with a 50″ flat-screen TV. In-room films are also provided. A hot tub and fully equipped fitness centre, squash courts & floral services
This hotel is centrally located in downtown Ottawa and features a restaurant and bar and spacious rooms. Each guest room offers contemporary furnishings, large windows and a work desk. A 42-inch cable TV, free Wi-Fi and pay TV, a coffee maker. Ottawa Delta City Centre provides a full-services business centre and a well-equipped gym on site. A sauna offers great relaxation.
Exploring the Ottawa LBGTQ Community
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Expedia
We have chosen hotels in Ottawa that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has a fitness center and a bar/lounge. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include self parking, a business center, and conference space. All 115 soundproofed rooms feature free WiFi and minibars. Thoughtful touches include espresso makers and bathrobes, and guests will also find room service and LCD TVs.
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has a fitness center and a bar/lounge. Other amenities include a 24-hour business center, a coffee shop/café, and valet parking. All 236 rooms provide free WiFi and free wired Internet, LCD TVs with satellite channels, refrigerators and coffee makers. Guests will also find pillowtop beds, iPod docks, and room service.
A restaurant, 2 bars/lounges, and a 24-hour fitness center are available at this smoke-free hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a rooftop terrace, a coffee shop/café, and conference space. All 200 rooms provide free WiFi, room service, and TVs. Other amenities available to guests include coffee makers, free local calls, and hair dryers.
A 24-hour fitness center, a bar/lounge, and a snack bar/deli are available at this smoke-free hotel. WiFi in public areas is free. Other amenities include a 24-hour business center, a business center, and dry cleaning. All 148 rooms offer free WiFi, premium bedding, and flat-screen TVs with cable channels. Guests will also find coffee makers, hair dryers, and ironing boards.