2025 Pride Halton Wrap‑Up: Celebrating Growth, Community & Year‑Round Pride

Pride Halton’s third year was its most dynamic yet. From flag‑raisings and yoga in June to the region’s biggest and only Pride parade, an inaugural Pride in the Park festival and festive winter gatherings, 2025 showed how deeply pride runs across Halton. Volunteers, community groups, businesses, and civic leaders came together to celebrate visibility, joy and belonging. Below is a look back at the events and milestones that made the year special.

Pride365 – pre‑Pride celebrations

Flag raising at Milton Town Hall (May 30)

The season began with a Pride flag‑raising at Milton’s Town Hall on May 30. Hosted by PRISM Halton in partnership with the Town, the ceremony included speakers who highlighted the importance of visibility and support. This symbolic start set a tone of inclusion for the weeks ahead.

Yoga & Pride Family Picnic (June 1)

On Sunday June 1, PRISM Halton hosted a Yoga & Pride Family Picnic at Spencer Smith Park on Burlington’s waterfront. The day started at 11 a.m. with a free all‑ages yoga class by the water and continued with a picnic where families, friends and allies enjoyed food, conversation and games. Attendees were encouraged to bring yoga mats and picnic blankets, and the event was designed to be inclusive and accessible.

Pride Movie Night (June 14)

Less than two weeks later a Pride Movie Night lit up Norval United Church in Georgetown. The free screening on June 14 invited community members of all ages to enjoy a feel‑good film together. Popcorn was provided and attendees were reminded that everyone belongs in this space.

Pride High Tea with Kenadie St. James (June 21)

On June 21 the festivities shifted to Oakville. PRISM Halton’s Pride High Tea paired tea and mimosas with drag royalty, hosted by Kenadie St. James at The Wine Bar. Guests dressed up and enjoyed an afternoon of elegance while raising funds for local 2SLGBTQIA+ programming.

Pre‑Parade Drag Show (July 19)

Pride Halton’s weekend kicked off with a Pre‑Parade Drag Show at The Eighth Note in Milton on July 19. The 19+ event, hosted by Robin Loren and featuring performers such as Heaven Lee Hytes and Katinka Kature, offered a high‑energy night of glamour. Tickets were $20 and proceeds supported the volunteer‑run festivities.

Parade Day & Pride in the Park (July 20)

Pride Parade

The third annual Pride Halton parade marched down Main Street in Milton on July 20. According to the official wrap‑up report, the event saw 395 participants across 41 community groups—a 52% and 46% increase over the previous year. More than 1,700 people attended the day’s celebrations, reflecting the addition of Pride in the Park. Two mayors and two members of Parliament joined the procession, highlighting broad civic support. Volunteers turned out in record numbers, too, with 29 people on the team (10 of whom were new).

Pride in the Park festival

For the first time, the parade was followed by Pride in the Park, an open‑air festival at the Milton Fairgrounds. The free family‑friendly event began at 3 p.m., offering live music, food trucks, a licensed 19+ drinking area and spaces for kids to play.

Entertainment included local acts such as Decent Blokes, Sean Bienhaus, Apricity, 16 Miles Out, and Bourbon & Co, complemented by South Asian dance performances and Beebop the Clown.

The festival also hosted a vendor market, featuring over 60 local artisans, businesses, and community organizations. Attendees browsed handmade crafts and 2SLGBTQIA+‑inspired merchandise while sampling a variety of food options. A pre‑parade market at the Brown Street parking lot offered early shopping for those arriving before the march.

Pride in the Park drag show

The day closed with a ticketed 19+ drag show at the Fairgrounds from 7:00–8:30 p.m. Experience Milton described it as a showcase of “iconic queens” with fierce performances. Limited tickets ensured an intimate celebration, capping off a weekend of joy and visibility.

Pride365: year‑round community events

Pride Halton’s mission extends beyond July. Throughout 2025 the organization hosted events under the Pride365 banner to build community and support local causes.

End‑of‑Summer Pride Picnic (September 20)

The season’s warmth lingered into September with an End-of-Summer Pride Picnic at Kelso Conservation Area. Families and friends brought blankets and snacks for a free afternoon of games, laughter, and community connection. Although this event mainly spread through social media, it showed how Pride Halton promotes inclusive spaces even after parade season. Conservation Halton, a strong supporter of Pride Halton, provides safe and inclusive environments.

Jingle & Mingle holiday celebration (December 7)

On December 7, Pride Halton invited community members to Jingle & Mingle, a cozy holiday party in Milton. JD Boisvert’s blog post described it as an evening filled with laughter, music and festive treats where people of all ages could connect. Held at 21 Charles St., the event ran from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.. In lieu of admission fees, attendees were encouraged to donate infant supplies and funds to MCRC’s Fill A Crib initiative.

The Fill A Crib campaign run by the Milton Community Resource Centre provides diapers, formula, baby food, menstrual supplies and other essentials to families in need. With more than 200 babies relying on the Infant Food Bank each month, demand has grown by 60 % since 2021. The campaign urges community members to donate items or sponsor a crib to ensure that every baby has the essentials to grow and thrive. Jingle & Mingle’s contributions helped fill cribs and send a message of solidarity to parents facing hardship.

Unifor Holiday Market in support of PRISM Halton (December 14)

Community support continued the following week at the Unifor Holiday Market. On December 14, Unifor Local 707 hosted a handmade market at 475 North Service Road East in Oakville from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event featured more than 25 local vendors and offered free admission and parking. Proceeds from vendor fees and sales were earmarked for PRISM Halton, underscoring labour movement solidarity with 2SLGBTQIA+ initiatives.

Looking ahead

2025 demonstrated that Pride in Halton is more than a single day — it’s a year‑round celebration rooted in visibility and inclusion. Attendance doubled, volunteer numbers grew and new partnerships flourished. From yoga by the lake to festive winter markets, every event invited people to show up as themselves and support one another. As planning begins for Pride Halton 2026, the organization invites everyone to stay involved — volunteer, sponsor, march, dance, donate or simply show up. Together we can build a community where every person is seen, valued and proud. Keep an eye on this page for our future events or sign up to our newsletter.