A six-day Pride celebration is taking over the Alberta Rockies this month

The Canmore Pride festival is returning this September with six days of events throughout the mountain town. The festival’s calendar stretches across Canmore, with something different happening each day. You’ll find drag nights, burlesque shows, a Pride march, and plenty of events for youth and families.

Here’s everything you need to know before heading to Canmore Pride.

What to expect at Canmore Pride

What is the Canmore Pride Festival?

Canmore Pride is an annual festival celebrating the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Canmore. According to Canmore Pride, the festival creates opportunities for people to connect, celebrate and learn through events happening throughout the town, while supporting its year-round work to create a community where 2SLGBTQIA+ residents and visitors feel safe and welcome.

What is happening during the week?

Over six days, Canmore Pride offers events for different ages and interests, from a conversation on public policy and a Pride Run to drag bingo, burlesque, and a community Block Party.

Here’s a further look at all the events taking place over the six days:

• Donuts and Conversation About How Public Policy Affects Us All
  • The festival kicks off with an evening focused on how public policy can affect the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, with lived-experience stories and facilitated conversations
    • When: Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026
    • Time: 6:30 to 9 p.m.
    • Where: artsPlace Theatre – 950 8th Ave., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: Free (must register online ahead of time)
• Drag Bingo (18+)
  • Spend the evening playing bingo with drag performances and entertainment at the Grizzly Paw Beer Garden.
    • When: Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
    • Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
    • Where: 310 Old Canmore Rd., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: Early Bird Pricing (Until Sept. 14): $20, Regular Pricing: $25
• Youth Drop-In
  • This afternoon event is for students in Grades 6 to 9 and offers a chance to hang out, make crafts, and play Mario Kart with other youth and allies.
    • When: Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
    • Time: 12:30 to 3 p.m.
    • Where: 700 Railway Ave., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: Free
• Pride Board Game Night
  • Teens ages 14 and older can spend the evening learning and playing different board games with staff from Armadillo Games.
    • When: Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
    • Time: 6 to 9 p.m.
    • Where: 713 8th St., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: By donation (registration is required)
• Festival Block Party
  • The Block Party brings the community together for an afternoon of Pride festivities, including a Pride march, local vendors, and activities for all ages.
    • When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
    • Time: 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
    • Where: Canmore Civic Centre, Rotary Friendship Park, and CanMore Together
    • Cost: Free
• Barre with Ballet Beats
  • Ballet Beats is hosting a barre class with all proceeds going to Canmore Pride. No dance experience is required, and the class is open to all levels.
    • When: Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
    • Time: 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.
    • Where: 1 Industrial Pl., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: By donation (registration is required)
• Indigenous Medicine Walk
  • Join a guided walk focused on Indigenous knowledge and plant medicine. The Biosphere Institute of the Bow Valley Microgrant supports the event.
    • When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
    • Time: TBA
    • Where: Location TBA
    • Cost: Free
• Drag Storytime
  • Drag performers will take over the Canmore Public Library for a morning of stories, music, and dancing.
    • When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
    • Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m.
    • Where: 700 Railway Ave., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: Free
• Pride Run
  • The Pride Run is a group run through Canmore with two options: a casual 4- to 5-kilometre route or a medium 8-kilometre route. The run is open to all ages and abilities, and dogs are welcome on a leash.
    • When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
    • Time: 1:45 to 4:30 p.m.
    • Where: 906 Bow Valley Trl., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: Free or by donation (registration is required)
• Big Gay Burlesque
  • Get ready for a night of burlesque, with performers taking the stage for a series of cheeky routines. The 18+ show features Kage Wolfe, Dogii Chow and more, with $5 from every ticket going toward Canmore Pride.
    • When: Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
    • Time: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
    • Where: 1460 Railway Ave., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: Online: $20, or $25 at the door
• Queer Open Mic
  • The festival will close out with a special queer edition of artsPlace’s open mic night, where singers, dancers, and spoken-word artists will take the stage.
    • When: Monday, Sept. 28, 2026
    • Time: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
    • Where: 950 8th Ave., Canmore, Alta.
    • Cost: Free

What is the Festival Block Party?

The Festival Block Party is the main daytime celebration of Canmore Pride, taking place on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., across the Canmore Civic Centre, Rotary Friendship Park and CanMore Together.

The morning will start off with a pancake breakfast at the Rotary Friendship Park from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Then, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., you can head inside the Canmore Civic Centre for the Pride Market and 2SLGBTQIA+ service provider booths.

At CanMore Together, crafts for children, teens and adults, along with a free photo booth, will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

From 1 to 2 p.m., everyone will gather in front of the Canmore Civic Centre for speeches and the Pride Flag raising. The day wraps up with the Pride march from 2 to 2:30 p.m., which heads through downtown Canmore.

How can I get around during Canmore Pride?

You don’t necessarily need a car to get between festival events. Canmore’s Roam transit service has three routes that are free within town.

According to Canmore Pride, the festival is partnering with Three Sisters Taxi to provide free taxi rides within Canmore during the festival, although rides are subject to availability.

If you are planning on driving, paid parking is available throughout the Town Centre. Paid parking is in effect seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with peak-season rates of $5 per hour from May 14 to Oct. 14, 2026. A map of paid parking lots is available on the Town of Canmore’s website.

Is Canmore Pride family-friendly?

Several events are specifically geared toward younger attendees and families, including the Youth Drop-In and Drag Storytime.

The Festival Block Party is also open to people of all ages, while some of the evening events have age restrictions.

When is the Canmore Pride Festival?

The 2026 Canmore Pride Festival runs from Wednesday, Sept. 23 to Monday, Sept. 28, with events happening throughout the week.

How much does Canmore Pride Festival cost?

There isn’t one set admission price for the entire festival; each event has its own individual pricing. The Festival Block Party is free to attend, while some events are by donation. The Pride Run is free or by donation, Board Game Night is by donation, and the Queer Open Mic is free or by donation.

Other events, including Drag Bingo and Big Gay Burlesque, have ticket prices listed on their individual event pages.

When:  Wednesday, Sept. 23 to Monday, Sept. 28, 2026
Time: Times vary
Where: Various venues and public spaces throughout Canmore, Alta.
Cost: Ticket prices vary based on event

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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