Buddies in Bad Times Artistic Director ted witzel today announced the company's annual Queer Pride Festival, with over 30 shows, concerts, events, and parties taking place throughout the Buddies space at 12 Alexander St., from June 5 to 28, 2026. Visit  buddiesinbadtimes.com to see the full program.

“With the growing buzz around Buddies’ nightlife reboot, this year’s Pride lineup is building on that momentum with a killer lineup of dance parties, drag, comedy, and the kind of subversive queer art only Buddies can do,” says witzel. “Expect the return of many mainstay Buddies Pride favourites, spiked with a jolt of energy from new parties and events from the best of queer Toronto and beyond. This is Pride with a point of view, a month of queer excellence, and a lineup of legendary DJs, drag icons, performers and artists taking over the largest dance floor in the Village and the boldest and sexiest performance venue in the city.”

New and notable this year:

 • Christopher Sherman’s live reading series, Horny Newsletter

 • Khadija Mbowe’s genre-defying opera-pole-burlesque hybrid Arias of Seduction, presented by Operatika and Buddies

 • Two extra-special editions of Buddies’ new weekly nightlife event, SLUR, programmed by Rae Abunahla, with guest appearances by Gay Jesus and Vivek Shraya.

Returning favourites for Queer Pride include:

 • Full-venue parties by Buddies Parties-in-Residence New Ho Queen, Something Creative Co. (bi bi baby), and Gay Rights

 • The 21st edition of WISHING WELL produced by STARLIGHT and Liz Staples

 • The Pride Legacy Pageant, produced with Vision Drag and hosted by Lemon (Canada’s Drag Race);

 • Two comedy nights: Homo Night in Canada and Gay AF Comedy

 • Burlesque from Les Femmes Fatales

 • The 10th annual Two-Spirit Cabaret presented with Native Earth Performing Arts, and the Buddies’ Emerging Creators Unit Showcase.

It’s also the 26th edition of Pride Prom (this year’s theme: Electric Garden), a popular event geared towards queer youth under the age of 21, presented by Pride TO and Supporting Our Youth.

For the full schedule, visit buddiesinbadtimes.com.

Buddies in Bad Times Theatre is located at 12 Alexander St., Toronto. Tickets to Pride events are available here and prices range from free to $50; additional taxes and box office fees apply.

The 2026 Queer Pride Festival is generously supported by Government Partners The Department of Canadian Heritage and Experience Ontario, Platinum Sponsor National Bank, and Gold Sponsor Freddie.

The 2026 – 27 Buddies in Bad Times mainstage season will be announced on May 21.