2S (Two-Spirit), L (Lesbian), G (Gay), B (Bisexual), T (Transgender/trans), Q(queer/questioning), + (other identities covered under but not included in the acronym such as pansexual, non-binary, gender-fluid, gender queer, asexual, etc). No acronym can reflect the full spectrum of unique and distinct identities and communities we serve. The Halifax Pride Society recognizes the acronym gives prominence to particular identities, deciding to use 2SLGBTQ+ as our standard, mindful of its limitations, and that all unique identities are important. 

Pride is an individual experience and means something different to everyone, but as organizers of the Halifax Pride Festival, we are mindful that many in the 2SLGBTQ+ community still face oppression in almost all areas of life. We are particularly concerned by the oppression and discrimination still faced by QTBIPOC communities. We acknowledge the role Halifax Pride has played in perpetuating these harms. We continue to learn and unlearn how systems of oppression can be deconstructed and rebuilt more equitably. Pride can serve as a time for advocacy and education, but celebration is also an important part of what makes us a strong, vibrant community. The 2SLGBTQ+ community needs space that is explicitly queer and free from oppression, persecution, and judgement for gathering and celebration. Giving queer people that space allows us to connect, to discuss our experiences, to share our knowledge, and build community. The 2SLGBTQ+ community has had to fight hard for our rights, and we must continue to fight for those who face stigma and oppression. While we have made gains in recent years, these gains were hard won and are easily lost without constant vigilance.

The Halifax Pride Festival is an eleven day festival that amplifies the voices of our community and provides an opportunity for the 2SLGBTQ+ to come together and flourish each summer in Halifax/Kjipuktuk. We plan the festival collaboratively with the local community, ensuring that many groups, interests, and events are represented throughout the festival.

The Halifax Pride Society has long been overseen by a volunteer board of directors, elected by the membership at our Annual General Meeting each fall. Over the past number of years, we have shifted from a primarily working board to a governing board. The board of directors makes major decisions about the functioning of the Society and ensures Halifax Pride adheres to its aim, purpose, and guiding principles while supporting community outreach and planning.

Full time and contracted staff work throughout the year to support the running of the festival and Society. Their work includes operations of the festival, fund development, communications and media, volunteer management, accessibility efforts, and programming.

Following meetings in 2017 to discuss the relationship between Halifax Regional Police and Halifax Pride, Halifax Regional Police decided they would take a step back from the parade, and we thoroughly supported that message. CLICK HERE for our official statement from 2017 about HRP and Pride.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) also decided not to register in the Pride parade. Provincial legislation requires police to be on site when streets are closed, and communicating those details as required has been our only activity with police since then. CLICK HERE for our official statement from 2017 about RCMP and Pride.

The 2026 Halifax Pride Festival will take place July 16-26, 2026.

The 2026 Halifax Pride Parade will take place on Saturday, July 18th, at 12:00pm.

We are primarily a volunteer based organization and we are always looking for volunteers to help support our work. We post calls for Event Volunteers in early spring.

Click HERE to visit our Volunteer page for open calls, and follow us on social media for latest updates. If you have missed any of the calls, please email volunteer@halifaxpride.com.

The Online Festival Calendar launches in June. Please note that we no longer produce a physical Pride Guide.

Some Halifax Pride official events may be ticketed to offset the rising costs of running the festival.

All ticketed events are communicated as such ahead of time and we strive to make events as financial accessible as possible.

All ticket sale links will be included in each event’s listing on the Online Festival Calendar and available at Tixr.com/halifaxpride.

We encourage attendees to purchase tickets in advance to help speed up entry at events.

Tickets will cost $5 when purchased at the door.

This year, we are removing the drink token system we have used since 2018. All beverages can be purchased directly at the bar.

Most major credit and debit cards will be accepted. Cash will not be accepted at festival bars.

We accept debit, and credit at all events on the Festival Site. 

We no longer accept cash as a form of payment on site.

You can now buy merch year round from our e-store by CLICKING HERE.

We also have a Halifax Pride merchandise booth on the Festival Site.

You can sign up for our mailing list to ensure you don't miss any updates or announcements. We regularly send out blasts about volunteering, events, tickets, and more!

Sign up at halifaxpride.com/mailing-list

Tickets for Halifax Pride events at the Garrison Grounds can be purchased through tixr.com/halifaxpride.

Links to purchase tickets will be available on each event’s listing in the Online Festival Calendar.

We strongly encourage attendees to purchase tickets in advance. Advance tickets are less expensive than tickets purchased at the door and will help speed up the entry process.

All attendees entering a 19+ event will go through a short entry process.

Upon arrival, you will be required to have your ticket scanned, present valid government-issued ID, and have your bag searched.

Please review our Bag Policy by CLICKING HERE, as it has changed since 2025.

Once inside, you will receive a wristband that allows you to leave and re-enter the event site throughout the evening. Each event requires a different colour bracelet, and bracelets are not transferrable.

If an event is not sold out, tickets will remain available for purchase online until the event ends.

Tickets can also be purchased in person at the gate. However, tickets purchased at the gate will be more expensive than advance tickets, and buying ahead of time will help speed up the entry process.

Tickets are delivered by email through Tixr after purchase. If you do not see your ticket, please check your spam or junk folder first.

If you still cannot locate your ticket, please contact ticket@halifaxpride.com for assistance before arriving at the event.

Yes. You can present your ticket on your phone to be scanned at the gate. Printed tickets are not required.

For faster entry, we recommend adding your ticket to your phone’s digital wallet ahead of time so it is ready to scan when you arrive.

If cost is a barrier, you can request a free ticket by CLICKING HERE.

We offer Pay It Forward tickets for most of our ticketed events, which are purchased by community members and redistributed by Halifax Pride to those who need them.

We do our best to match requests with available tickets, though availability may be limited depending on the event.

A Pay It Forward ticket is a ticket purchased by a community member to cover the cost of admission for someone who may not be able to afford it.

Halifax Pride distributes these tickets directly to individuals who request them, helping ensure more people can take part in festival events.

Typically we are contacted by organizations that wish to support Halifax Pride. We do very little cold calling and find that businesses who align with our values reach out to us. We meet with all sponsors to discuss our aim and values to ensure they are committed to 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity in their own work. All sponsors are asked to complete a Sponsor Initiative Survey where they tell us about their internal and external efforts. This allows them the opportunity to share their work with us, track their own progress, and identify new ways to expand and improve their efforts. Sponsors are also invited to take part in inclusivity training prior to the festival each year. From time to time, Halifax Pride has declined sponsorship from some businesses, requesting they examine their 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity work and consider what additional progress can be made.

There are a limited number of revenue streams available to Halifax Pride to help cover costs. Government support does not cover all of our expenses and we strive to keep our events free or low cost for attendees. The support of our sponsors who align with our aim and values helps us ensure our events remain low to no cost, performers and staff are paid fairly, and robust accessible infrastructure is provided at events. Further, many of our sponsors reach out due to their internal Diversity & Inclusion Committees. Staff within the sponsoring business want to enhance 2SLGBTQ+ inclusivity in their workplace and see our values shared within their organizations. As Pride sponsors they are accountable to their employees and the 2SLGBTQ+ community to strive for greater equity and inclusion.

All sponsors are invited to take part in the parade, but other organizations must purchase their entry. These fees help offset Parade operational expenses, which are higher than any other event we host. 2SLGBTQ+ groups and organizations lead the parade and march for free, while entry fees for businesses cover costs related to the parade.

No. Businesses and organizations that are not sponsors of the festival can participate in the parade, and must pay a parade entry fee as well as partake in parade and inclusivity training prior to the parade.

Please email christine@halifaxpride.com for more information about sponsorship, and to receive our sponsorship package.