For the first time ever, Toronto will celebrate the LGBTQ community for an entire month - say hello to Pride Month.
Beginning June 1st, the inaugural event kicks off with the official rainbow flag raising ceremony at Queen’s Park and culminates with the colourful and legendary Pride Parade on July 3. The month-long celebrations will spread to every corner of the city, transforming the streets into wild parties and drawing in over a million people from across the globe.
In celebration of Pride Month, Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, has scoped out the city’s best accommodations to experience the festivities and join in on all the fun!
Be in the heart of it all and stay in the Village! Home to the annual Pride Festival, the area between Church and Wellesley turns into a massive ten day celebration hosting countless parties, performances by some of Toronto’s best drag queens and a huge street fair featuring local artisans and delicious food vendors. Luckily, you’ll wake up each morning to a full service breakfast at this quaint property and get the fuel you’ll need to keep going.
Located just steps from Queen’s Park, you might be fortunate enough to bump into Premiere Kathleen Wynn, who will officially kick off celebrations with the annual raising of the rainbow flag. With options to stay in a one or two bedroom unit, the newly renovated designer suites are perfect for families or couples looking to enjoy the entirety of Pride Month. Complete with a full kitchen, dining and lounging space and access to an indoor pool, it’s guaranteed to feel like a home-away-from-home.
All we can say about this five-star accommodation is that it’s absolutely fabulous! The Euro-chic inspired luxury hotel is situated in the incredibly trendy Yorkville area and ideally suited for the diva inside all of us. Each suite comes furnished with a musical instrument and a large limestone bathroom perfect for winding down after a long night out. Moments away, guests will find the Royal Ontario Museum, which is scheduled to host a special one-night-only queer party soiree where go-go boys and drag stars will entertain amongst the dinosaurs.
As a proud supporter of the community, the Drake Hotel is a favourite party spot, usually offering extended hours during Pride. The gay-friendly space in the heart of Queen West hosts a slew of local bands and DJs almost every night, and is perfect for the partygoers. Besides its lively nightlife, the boutique hotel boasts uniquely designed rooms and is surrounded by some of the city’s best restaurants, trendy bars and art galleries.
The heart of Pride might be in the Village, but you’ll find its beat comes from the newly developed waterfront. Expect a massive dance party at Sugar Beach, free outdoor film screenings at the Harbourfront Centre and chance to try out your Spanish dance moves on the pier. With so much going on the city’s south side, the elegant One King West Hotel will serve as the ideal home base and offer easy access to these must-do events.