Celebrate Pride at Markham Public Library and Across York Region in 2026

June is Pride Month, a time to celebrate identity, diversity, and community! It’s an opportunity to honour the strength, courage, and beauty of living authentically, while fostering spaces where everyone feels safe, respected, and proud. Pride Month brings together 2SLGBTQ+ communities and allies to recognize the resilience and highlight the many contributions members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community have made to all aspects of Canadian society.

While progress has been made, 2SLGBTQ+ communities continue to face inequity and exclusion in Canada and around the world.

The Government of Canada gathered statistics which show this inequity. For example, did you know:

77% of sexually and gender diverse youth have been the target of bullying in the last year? And of those bullied, they are twice as likely to consider taking their own lives?
Or that 2SLGBTQ+ people experience poorer mental health and overall health outcomes than non-2SLGBTQ+ individuals due in large part to stigma.
The types of Stigma Canadians perceive these communities face are:
- people being threatened by something they don’t understand (27%)
- people not feeling comfortable with people who are different (25%)
- people believing that being part of 2SLGBTQI+ communities is unnatural (24%)

Learn more from the government of Canada here: 2SLGBTQI+ - Canada.ca

As a community, we must stand against this discrimination and strive for a future where everyone can be themselves without fear.

The origins of Pride in Canada trace back to early large-scale protests advocating for 2SLGBTQ+ rights. Some of the first demonstrations were held in Ottawa and Vancouver in 1971. By 1973, Pride events had spread to cities such as Montréal, Ottawa, Saskatoon, Toronto, Vancouver, and Winnipeg. Today, Toronto’s Pride weekend in June is among the largest in North America!

Pride Month is often marked by flag raisings, performances, parades, and community gatherings, serving as a reminder to celebrate all identities and lead with kindness and inclusion, no matter who you love.

If you’re anything like the Markham Public Library’s team, you know how important event calendars are and you have an insatiable need for planning well in advance! Couple this with the urge to add a ton of Pride events in Markham or York Region to your calendar and, well, it’s your lucky day, my friend. We’ve got you covered with our list of local festivities. From family-friendly activities to large-scale celebrations, there are many meaningful ways to connect and celebrate close to home.

Check out our curated list of local Pride events to help you plan your month and start adding dates to your calendar ASAP!

🎉 Markham and York Region Pride Events 🎉

🌈 Pride Palooza: Family Craft Day!

📚 Markham Public Library (That’s us!!)

Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Time: 11:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Milliken Mills Library, Markham

Celebrate Pride right here in Markham at the library! This inclusive, family-friendly event invites all ages to explore creativity and connection through activities like Rainbow Storytime and crafts including bracelet-making, face painting, rainbow suncatchers, and more. Community resource booths will also be available to help connect residents with local 2SLGBTQ+ organizations and supports.

Details & Registration: Here

🌈🏢 City of Markham's Pride Celebration and Flag Raising Ceremony

Date: Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Time: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: Flato Markham Theatre

Come celebrate Pride Month with the City of Markham in a joyful and energetic morning filled with community spirit and entertainment. The event will feature live performances and special moments that celebrate and uplift 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. This event will conclude with a flag-raising ceremony in the amphitheater.

🌈 🏳️‍⚧️ York Pride Parade & Trans March (Newmarket)

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026
Time: 4:00 PM – 5:45 PM
Location: Main Street Newmarket

One of the largest Pride celebrations in the region, the York Pride Parade and Trans March brings together thousands of participants for a vibrant day of celebration and connection. The parade travels through historic Main Street in Newmarket and leads into a full festival experience featuring performances, food, and community organizations.

Details: Pride Events | 2SLGBTQ+ in York Region — York Pride

🌈 🎨 SEEN: Celebrating Pride Month (Aurora)

Date: June 18 – Sat. July 4, 2026
Location: Micak Contemporary Art Gallery

Micak Gallery’s exhibition celebrates Pride Month with a focus on lifting up and highlighting queer artists and art practices! Admission is free. The gallery is open Wednesday – Saturday, 12-5PM or by appointment.

Details: (stay tuned) Home | Micak Contemporary Art Gallery

🌈 Student & Youth LGBTQ2+ Activism Exhibit (Vaughan)

📚 Vaughan Public Library

Date: Exhibit From June 1 – June 30, 2026
Location: Pierre Berton Resource Library

This historical exhibit from The ArQuives explores students & youth involved in LGBTQ2+ activism. The ArQuives is one of the largest independent 2SLGBTQIA+ archives in the world and the only 2SLGBTQIA+ archive in Canada with a national scope.

Details: Student & Youth LGBTQ2+ Activism Exhibit - Vaughan Public Libraries

🌈 Pflag Social Night (Aurora)

📚 Aurora Public Library

Date: Wednesday, June 24^th, 2026 (The last Wednesday of every month).
Location: Aurora Public Library

Pflag Social Night is a safe space where members of the LGBTQ2 community, their friends, family or allies can come together. Meetings are informal gatherings led by Pflag York Region Facilitators to socialize and connect.

Each month features a new theme, with activities such as fun and creative arts and crafts, game nights, movie nights, and much more!

Details & Registration: Here

🌈 Drag Queen Storytime with Haus of Devereaux

📚 Newmarket Public Library

Date: Saturday, June 13
Time: 10:30-11:30 AM
Location: Newmarket Public Library

Don't miss this fun, family storytime featuring the fabulous queens from the Haus of Devereaux. For families with children ages 3 to 12 years. This event is sponsored by Newmarket Library and takes place at the York Pride Main Stage. Free. No registration required for this drop-in event.

Details: Drag Queen Storytime with Haus of Devereaux

💡 Why Celebrate Pride Locally?

Attending Markham and York Region Pride events is a great way to:

Connect with and support your local 2SLGBTQ+ communities and organizations.
Connect with neighbours, families, friends and fellow allies nearby!
Learn, reflect, and celebrate diversity in your own community.

📅 Start Planning Your Pride Month

Be sure to check event pages for updates and additional programming and start marking your calendars! You won’t want to miss these opportunities for meaningful connection and celebration.

Looking for local organizations that serve Markham and York Region and provide guidance, support, and advocacy?

Check out:

For tips on how to be a 2SLGBTQ+ Ally, and for a brief history of Pride Celebrations in Toronto check out this resource: Pride Month – City of Toronto

This Pride Month, let’s come together to uplift 2SLGBTQ+ voices and reflect on how we can each help build communities where everyone feels safe and free to be their authentic selves.

Not sure where to start? Check out our reading list below.

Pride Month 2026 Must Reads for Adults!

List created by MPLSTAFFLISTS

June is Pride Month! Our reading list is a collection of reads curated for adults that amplify and celebrate 2SLGBTQ+ voices.

View Full List