Ottawa Pride
Fierte dans la Capitale 2023

Ottawa Pride Fierte dans la Capitale 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 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