Celebrate queer expression and storytelling at these top Pride Toronto arts and cultural events. 

Pride Toronto is the largest celebration of 2SLGBTQ+ culture and community in Canada—and one of the best weekend getaways! From the famous Pride Parade known for its flamboyant, high-energy floats to all-ages Drag Queen Storytime, there is something for everyone. 

An undeniable core element of Pride Toronto is its arts programming. Visual and performance arts lovers, read on—you won’t want to miss these arts events in June.

Narcissus: now through June 10, 2023

Gaze into the waters of toxic masculinity, its fragility, and the resilience within body positivity. This photo installation by Renato Baldin explores the status quo of male beauty and the diversity of queer male bodies. 

See Narcissus at Remote Gallery / Akin in the Fashion District off Richmond Street West. While you’re in the area, don’t forget to check out Graffiti Alley!
 

Conspiracy of Silence: now through June 30, 2023 

Enjoy drinks and contemporary Chinese dishes at Mahjong Bar before heading up the street to the Stephen Bulger Gallery for Conspiracy of Silence

This series by Nina Levitt features multiple enlarged colour photographs and photograms, inviting the viewer to question and consider the unnatural means by which heteronormality is maintained in our society. 

Southern Crossing: June 9–July 8, 2023 

Hit downtown’s Fashion District to feast your eyes on gay artist Peter Burega’s solo exhibition at the Abbozzo Gallery. 

In Southern Crossing, viewers are invited to take in Burgea’s abstracted landscapes, which blend together his documentation of the real world and his own psychology. Discuss Burega’s abstracted canvas and panel vistas afterwards at The Haam, a local sushi and taco bar.
 

Access Me: June 16–24, 2023  

A raunchy, sex-positive and fun exploration of the experiences of three queer disabled men, this performance stars creators and performers Ken Harrower, Frank Hull and Andrew Gurza as they lead audiences through provocative retellings of key moments in their lives. 

Access Me takes place in the Regent Park neighbourhood’s Aki Studio at Daniels Spectrum. Afterwards, keep the conversation going with cocktails and Italian at Café Zuzu, just down the street.

Tkaronto Music Festival 2023: June 21–24, 2023 

An affiliate event of Pride, the Indigenous Music Festival puts Indigenous music in the spotlight at stackt market downtown. Celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day with a wicked lineup of Indigenous talent from across Turtle Island and beyond. 

Métis folk powerhouse Amanda Rheaume takes the stage at both the festival (June 22, 2023, at 8 p.m.) and at Pride (June 24, 2023, at 10 p.m.).
 

Uptown Pride Art Exhibition: June 21–27, 2023

Jump off the subway at Bay station and get lost in Uptown Pride Art Exhibition in Yorkville’s historic Dignam Gallery. This exhibit showcases the works of outstanding and diverse artists from the 2SLGBTQ+ community and features different approaches to contemporary art. Grab a meal afterwards at Planta, an upscale vegan Toronto hotspot.

Youphoria: A Pride Showcase: June 21–July 9, 2023 

Take in visual art in all its media formats at Youphoria, an exhibition for artists identifying as 2SLGBTQ+ to display artwork about finding joy while living on the margins of society. Youphoria puts the kitsch, the kink, the bold, the outrageous and the brave on centre stage at Queen Street West’s Propeller Art Gallery. 
 

Movie Night with Amazon: June 23, 2023  

Looking for a low-key evening? We’ve got you covered. Take the transit of your choice to downtown Yonge Street and follow your nose to one of several delicious Asian restaurants, including Salad King (Thai), Daldongnae (Korean BBQ) and Gurume Sushi (Japanese). 

After your meal, stroll north to the College Park retail/residential complex and settle in for a Movie Night with Amazon, hosted by their Glamazon community of 2SLGBTQ+ workers and allies. 

Blockorama 25: Legacies: June 25, 2023

Pride’s hottest party is back in its 25th iteration! Hosted by Blackness Yes!, Blockorama is the longest-running stage at Pride Toronto, with a jubilant history that showcases the city’s 2SLGBTQ+ African, Black and Caribbean communities. 

The all-day block party runs from 2 to 11 p.m. with performers, DJs, drag, ballroom, activists and other changemakers.