Capital Pride is here: What you need to know this weekend in Ottawa

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeLifeNewsLocal News Capital Pride is here: What you need to know this weekend in Ottawa The street festivities begin Friday and continue through Sunday, with the Capital Pride Parade serving as the weekend's main event Author of the article: By Michael McBean Published Aug 28, 2026 Last updated 2 hours ago 2 minute read Join the conversation Capital Pride's 2025 parade launched from city hall, but ground to a halt near Parliament Hill after pro-Palestinian demonstrators blocked the route. PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Article content Capital Pride takes over downtown Ottawa this weekend, with thousands of people expected for the annual parade, street festival and other Pride events. Article content The street festivities begin Friday, Aug. 28, and continue through Sunday, with the Capital Pride Parade serving as the weekend’s main event. Article content Article content Here’s what you need to know: Article content When is the Capital Pride Parade? Article content The Capital Pride Parade begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 30. Article content Article content This year’s parade will follow a different route than in previous years, beginning at Wellington and Booth streets. Article content The Evening Citizen The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content From there, participants will travel east along Wellington Street before turning south on Bank Street. The parade will continue through the downtown core and finish at Bank and Slater streets. Article content Capital Pride previously said the new route would allow for improved crowd management and security planning. Article content Capital Pride Parade goers walked away in August 2025 after the festivities were cancelled due to a pro-Palestine protest that halted the parade. PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA Article content What roads will be closed? Article content Drivers should expect major closures downtown throughout the weekend. Article content Bank Street between Slater Street and Gladstone Avenue will be closed from 6 p.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Sunday for the Capital Pride Street Festival. Article content Several additional closures will be in effect Sunday for…