Vancouver The Pride of the West

This past weekend, hundreds of thousands flocked not only from Canada, but from many cities across the globe, to take part in Vancouver’s annual Pride celebration. Friday night, LGBT Vancouverites and tourists alike headed to the West End, home of the Davie Street Dance Party and the city’s prime homo hotspot with enough restaurants, shops, clubs, and bars to satisfy anyone’s tastes. Add a giant dance floor in the middle of the street and you have yourself a truly perfect Pride kick-off.

What many don’t know is that every year the weekend overlaps with the Celebration of Light, the world’s largest offshore firework display competition whose final night is Saturday. Igniting the skies over the English Bay, the 30-minute show is synchronized to music and draws an enormous and diverse crowd, including many Pride attendees. (Because face it, we love things that sparkle.) Sunday, as always, is reserved for the parade.