MEDIA INVITATION - OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE CELEBRATIONS AND PROGRAMMING OF THE 2025 EDITION OF THE FIERTÉ MONTRÉAL FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY TD IN COLLABORATION WITH LOTO-QUÉBEC Français
Fierté Montréal Press Conference
July 23, 10:30 a.m.
at the Espace 21
of the Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth
(900, Boulevard René-Levesque Ouest)
, Executive Director of Fierté Montréal, will officially launch the festivities.
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MONTRÉAL, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Mobilizing over 300 organizations from the community, cultural, non-profit, and economic sectors, all committed to the advancement of 2SLGBTQIA+ rights, the Fierté Montréal Festival, presented by TD Bank Group in collaboration with Loto-Québec, invites the communities and their allies to join the festivities from July 31 to August 10. Fierté Montréal Festival will celebrate the creativity and resilience of communities of sexual and gender diversity in three distinct event Hubs – Urban, Village, and Olympic – stretching from downtown to the East end of Québec's metropole. " Thanks to a growing interest, locally and internationally, in the Fierté Montréal Festival, we are continuing to innovate and build on the festival's strengths. With the loyalty, trust, and solidarity of our valued partners in our three festival Hubs, we are once again able to amplify the voices of communities of sexual and gender diversity. Amid a steep and rapid decline for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights around the world, Montréal itself is a beacon, proudly flying the rainbow flag," said Simon Gamache, Executive Director of Festival Fierté Montréal. Celebrating queer beings and being queer: the Pride Parade With "Blossom Here, Now!" as this year's rallying cry, the Pride Parade will welcome tens of thousands of participants down Boulevard René-Lévesque on August 10 to celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and call attention to what we're fighting for. "Blossom Here, Now!" is an invitation to claim our right to blossom fully, to shine brightly, and to love freely. Parade Grand Marshals make the message louder and prouder Fierté Montréal Festival's Grand Marshals are individuals who, through their activism and talent, inspire and contribute to improving the lives of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. In 2025, we proudly welcome Ness Murby, the first openly trans, queer, and Métis Paralympic athlete, and Farah Alibay, a Québécoise aerospace engineer committed to popularizing science and an advocate for greater equity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Diverse and inclusive programming This nineteenth edition of Fierté Montréal Festival will spotlight over 250 artists, of whom a tremendous majority are people from 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, proudly featuring a roster of artists who are trans and/or from racialized communities. Chris Ngabonziza, Director of Programming and Artistic Development, adds: " The 19th edition programming is the culmination of work begun three years ago—a collective approach that deepens our commitment to inclusion. It is deployed across our three hubs, with a rich and consistently ambitious offering; but above all, it is a huge celebration of queer culture, in all its diversity." The Village is where our heart is The Village will be buzzing with a bold and daring program of talented creators. In collaboration with Festival M.A.D. and the SDC du Village, the first edition of the Rainbow Market will showcase 2SLGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs, artists, artisans, and designers from August 1 to 3. From July 31 to August 10, the Dovato Stage will host local queer artists featuring drag shows, live bands, burlesque troupes, DJ sets, Bollywood dance, pop music, a show for kids and even a high heel race! At Le National, the comedy night Des gags et des paillettes, presented by La Presse, returns on August 5 and 6, hosted by Phil Lacroix and Yann Aspirot —aka Greg and Tom in the web series Mon Bro—accompanied by local artists, including Coco Belliveau, Tranna Wintour, Maxence Garneau, and Magalie Saint-Vincent. Community Days, presented by Cogeco, will be back August 8 and 9 on Rue Sainte-Catherine Est. The public is welcome to discover more than 100 community groups and organizations, businesses, sports clubs, and sociocultural associations involved with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities. Families are invited to Place du Village on Saturday, August 9 th, to enjoy children's activities. In collaboration with the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, the Jardins Gamelin will also be decked out in rainbows on July 31, August 1, 2, and 6. Fierté Littéraire is back with a series of events showcasing queer creativity of the literary kind. The Festival will close with L'After T-Dance (August 10), presented by romeo's gin, at Sainte-Catherine Hall. Fierté Montréal Festival will host the public at its Headquarters (1306, Rue Sainte-Catherine East), which will house an information booth, a community exhibition, and the Festival's boutique. Urban Hub: diversity delights downtown Montréal For the second consecutive year, the Fierté Montréal Festival will light up our downtown. The Quartier des Spectacles will host 2SLGBTQIA+ artists and their allies on the Loto-Québec Stage at the Esplanade Tranquille. A series of free events will showcase Indigenous artists during Lumière des Nations, presented by Fugues, followed by a program of trans artists, Transcendance (July 31); an evening dedicated to women of sexual and gender diversity with FeminiX, presented by Rogers (August 1); a lively tribute to nightlife as queer revolution with Mundo Disko, presented by Merck (August 2); and our signature show ImmiX, presented by ICI Musique, featuring beloved artists Lisa LeBlanc, Gabrielle Destroismaisons, Martine St-Clair, Calamine, Safia Nolin, and Lennikim, and more, who will share the stage with a raft of emerging artists (August 3). " At Loto-Québec, we are committed to supporting events that bring people together, inspire, and contribute to celebrating a more inclusive society. Our collaboration with the Fierté Montréal Festival reflects our commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities for all," said Eric Meunier, Director of Social Engagement, Loto-Québec. The Festival returns to Place des Arts with Katherine Levac 's hilarious show, L'été de ma Fierté! (August 1), featuring guests Mona de Grenoble and Anne-Sarah Charbonneau. CinéQueer, a co-presentation with the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), will offer three days of free screenings at the Alanis Obomsawin Theatre (August 4, 5, and 6), in collaboration with the Festival du Nouveau Cinéma and the Festival image+nation. CinéQueer online will be available throughout the Festival, in collaboration with the image+nation Festival. Two free community exhibitions will be presented at the NFB Space from July 31 to August 6. The MEM – Centre des mémoires montréalaises will host a series of panels about issues related to inclusion within and for our communities, organized in collaboration with 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations: Surrogacy (August 2, 1 pm), Bisexuality (August 2, 3 pm), an Inter-generational Dialogue on HIV (August 3, 1 pm) and a historical look back at Pride celebrations in Montréal since 1979 (August 3, 3 pm). Meanwhile, the Cinémathèque québécoise will host a round table discussion on rural queer experiences in Europe and Québec (July 30, 4:30 pm). Nightlife enthusiasts will notice a slew of beloved parties that 2SLGBTQIA+ communities will recognize throughout several Fierté Montréal 2025 Editions, as well as official after-parties during the two weekends of the Festival, with seven club nights hosted at venues Club Soda and the Société des arts technologiques (SAT). Starting on August 7, the TD Stage at the Olympic Park's Esplanade will host the big free shows that attract tens of thousands of festival-goers every year. It all kicks off August 7 with the world's largest free drag show, La Soirée 100% Drag, presented by Cabenuva, with hostesses Barbada and Rita Baga, gathering drag royalty of local drag luminaries along with a range of drag artists from various franchises of RuPaul's Drag Race. On August 8, DistinXion, presented by Novartis, will highlight queer fxmmes with Fefe Dobson, Charlotte Day Wilson, and G Flip. Xcellence, a celebration of racialized 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and their allies, will bring Iniko, Bilal Hassani, and Ivy Queen to the stage (August 9). On August 10, the biggest dance floor in town will host the highly anticipated Mega T-Dance, featuring renowned DJs such as Black Flamingo and Marti Frieson. " TD has a long history of supporting all communities, including the 2SLGBTQ+ communities year-round. As we celebrate Pride this year, we're proud to once again support Fierté Montréal Festival—an event that brings people together and amplifies diverse voices across the 2SLGBTQ+ communities. Through the TD Ready Commitment, we continue to support initiatives and community programming that help make a positive impact for the communities we serve," said Laurence Levy, Senior Vice-President, Branch Banking, Quebec Region, TD Canada Trust. Recognizing our change-makers Fierté Montréal hands out a trio of prizes to individuals and associations who have been part of making progress in 2SLGBTQIA+ advocacy and visibility. Accorded annually in recognition of people and groups working to end stigma against people living with HIV (serophobia), the Prix Claude-Tourangeau went to GAP-VIES. For exceptional work on 2SLGBTQIA+ rights advocacy in Montréal and throughout Québec, the Prix Bâtisseur was awarded to the Conseil québécois LGBT. The Prix John Banks, awarded to people or collectives who shine their light on and within Pride, went to the Sœurs de la perpétuelle indulgence de Montréal. Fierté Montréal Festival continues its commitment to environmental responsibility, accessibility, and prevention, with long-term goals dedicated to sustainability, harm reduction, stopping sexual violence, and support to vulnerable members of our communities and artists. We constantly endeavour to improve accessibility measures in collaboration with a wide range of community stakeholders, such as REZO, the GRIP, Collectif Social, the Centre psychologique pour artistes, L'Aparté and Kéroul. " Fierté Montréal is much more than a festival; it is a vibrant celebration of the diversity, creativity and resilience of 2SLGPTQI+ communities. By supporting events such as this one, we are reaffirming that each and every individual must be able to develop fully, love freely and participate actively in the economic, social and cultural life of our country. I am proud that our government is assisting Fierté Montréal, as well as the countless artists, entrepreneurs and organizations who make our communities stronger and more inclusive," stated Marie-Gabrielle Ménard, Member of Parliament for Hochelaga–Rosemont-Est, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Women and Gender Equality and Secretary of State (Small Business and Tourism). " The Fierté Montréal Festival is a shining showcase of diversity, but also a necessary reminder that the fight for the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ people is far from over. In a context where hate speech is experiencing a worrying resurgence around the world, more than ever, our solidarity must be unwavering. La Ville de Montréal is proud to support the 19th edition of the Festival and to reaffirm that it is, and will remain, a space of inclusion, equality, and acceptance for all people. I invite the public to join the festivities in large numbers to amplify the voices that lift us, to celebrate love and freedom, and to fly high the flag for Pride," declared Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante. A program for everyone Explore the expansive and inclusive Fierté Montréal Festival 2025 programming on our website, and come out to meet 2SLGBTQIA+ communities where their pride is at. Never Without Our Partners Fierté Montréal thanks its loyal partners, as well as those who have recently joined us, without whom it would be impossible to continue the fight for full recognition of the rights of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities: TD Bank Group, supporter since 2008, Loto-Québec, the Ville de Montréal, the Gouvernement of Québec, the Gouvernement of Canada, Tourisme Montréal, the Conseil des Arts de Montréal, Cabenuva, Rogers, Trojan, the SAQ, Air Canada, Bubly, Radio-Canada, stm, Merck, Loblaws, sans nom, Bud Light, Hydro-Québec, Dovato, Apretude, Fugues, MTL Dans la poche, Cogeco, La Presse, IN Magazine, CTV, Publicité Sauvage, Virgin Radio, Énergie, Rouge, Cult, Le Devoir, GoMag, Petit Futé, Québec Le Mag, Gay City News, Culture Cible, Neo, the SDC Village Montréal, the Société de développement et de mise en valeur du Parc olympique, the Quartier des Spectacles Partnership, PME MTL Centre-Ville, the European Union through its delegation based in Canada, the Regroupement des évènements majeurs internationaux and Fierté Canada Pride. About Fierté Montréal Since 2007, Fierté Montréal has been amplifying the voices of the 2SLGBTQIA+ communities to ensure their social representation and inclusion, and to defend their rights. As vectors of social change, our festival, community initiatives and artistic/cultural projects celebrate the creativity and resilience of our communities. By listening to and collaborating with 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, we call attention to their struggles and realities on the level of both the general public and institutions. Fierté Montréal is based in Tio'tia:ke, on the unceded territory of the Kanien'kehá:ka Nation. We recognize them as the custodians of the lands and waters on which we gather. Tio'tia:ke is historically known as a gathering place for many First Nations, and today, a diverse Indigenous population, as well as other peoples, reside here. It is with respect for connections to the past, present, and future that we recognize the ongoing relationships between Indigenous Peoples and the Montréal community at large.
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Harry Potter 'Back to Hogwarts' 2025 Celebrations Revealed
Global events, 20th anniversary screenings, and digital surprises await… LONDON, July 23, 2025 /CNW/ -- Wizards, witches and Muggles - wands at the ready! The countdown to Back to Hogwarts has begun, and this year's festivities are set to be more magical than ever! Every 1 st September, Harry Potter fans mark the iconic return to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Now, nearly almost a quarter of a century since the first film enchanted audiences, this beloved tradition has grown into an annual global celebration of all things Harry Potter. 20 Years of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Celebrate two decades of Triwizard Tournament thrills with special Back to Hogwarts screenings of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in cinemas worldwide. In the United States, fans can relive the epic adventure on the big screen for a limited time through the Back to Hogwarts official ticketing partner – – and have a chance to get their hands on magical Harry Potter giveaways as part of the celebrations. Theatres in Canada, EMEA and International Territories will all be joining in the fun – check local listings and for details. Magic Meets Snapchat Introducing four brand new 3D Harry Potter Bitmoji Lenses with Friends! From mid-Aug in honour of Back to Hogwarts, Snap users globally will be able to see their Snapchat Bitmoji (decked out in the latest Back to Hogwarts themed fashion drop, naturally) take a trip into the wizarding world! Watch as your Bitmoji interacts with your friends' Bitmojis in four different iconic Harry Potter scenes – Hogwarts Letters at the Dursleys', Platform Nine and Three-Quarters, Putting names into the Goblet of Fire, and the Wizard Chess scene from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Global Fan Festivities Back to Hogwarts celebrations are happening everywhere and this year's revelries are sure to make memories worthy of Dumbledore's Pensieve! Look out for celebratory Back to Hogwarts themed moments at Harry Potter destinations around the world – including park lands at Universal Destinations & Experiences, Warner Bros. Studio Tours, and various Harry Potter travelling experience locations globally. So, whether you're in London, Paris, Tokyo or joining in online, there's something spellbinding for everyone… United Kingdom Fans can attend a free screening of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at London's iconic Cineworld Leicester Square on 31 st Aug. Before the film, ticket holders will enjoy a live Q&A with James and Oliver Phelps (Fred and George Weasley), hosted by TV and radio presenter, Yinka Bokinni, plus enjoy fun in the foyer with photo ops – including The Great Hall from Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter. Fans are encouraged to attend in their finest wizarding attire for the chance to win prizes from The LEGO Group and The Noble Collection. All attendees will also receive a Wizarding World, Micro Magical Moments Year 4 Collectible Figure Set from Spinmaster. Tickets are free, strictly limited and essential for entry, keep an eye on for news on when these will be released. Wizarding Wednesdays returns between 13 th Aug and 23 rd Sept with prizes galore, keep an eye out on the Harry Potter social channels to find out more info. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – the Making of Harry Potter will host 300 lucky guests at a celebratory 11am countdown moment at the Studio Tour, held on the platform next to the iconic Hogwarts Express live on 1 st Sept. Tickets are exclusively available by entering a competition to win, visit @wbtourlondon for more details on how to enter before the competition closes on 11 th Aug. Visitors to the London Platform 9 ¾ shop can pose with a special photo opportunity frame and pick up exclusive Back to Hogwarts merchandise instore, available from 28 th July. House of MinaLima also invites fans to join a special meet and greet event on the 31 st of Aug where they can get their hands on a limited-edition giveaway Back to Hogwarts 2025 button badge (while supplies last). Visit for more info. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child London will be giving out special badges to all audience members at performances between 3 rd and 7 th Sept. Fans are reminded that there will be no event, countdown or train announcement at King's Cross Station on 1st Sept. – and are strongly advised not to travel in order to avoid disappointment. North America & Canada Visitors heading to Harry Potter StoreNew York and Harry Potter Store Chicago can pick up exclusive, time-limited Back to Hogwarts merch in store from 28th July. Starting today, fans eager to attend the popular Harry Potter: A Forbidden Forest Experience will be able to sign up for early waitlist confirmation as the experience is confirmed to take place in Chicago later this year – check out for more info. Fans in Salt Lake City, Utah can take advantage of a special ticket offer available on 1 st Sept at Harry Potter: The Exhibition. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway will be celebrating '19 Years Later' with $19 tickets for select performances this autumn. This special priced ticket will be available for one day only on 1 st Sept, online at or at the Lyric Theatre Box Office. France Paris, 30th Aug: The stunning Sainte-Geneviève Library will transform into a magical 'school exam' inspired free ticketed event with interactive quizzes, a special Harry Potter themed dictation session read by Solange Boulanger (the French language actor who dubbed Dolores Umbridge in the film series). The LEGO Group and Haribo displays, and more surprises will be announced during the summer. For fans unable to make it on the day, the fun will be hosted online from 30th Aug until 7th Sept. Details are soon to be released on how fans can join online, via the French HP and Warner FR social channels. Germany Hamburg, 29 Aug, 30th Aug & 1 Sept: Westfield Hamburg-Überseequartier will play host to a spectacular three-day Back to Hogwarts event, offering fans of all ages specially themed interactive activities and magical give-aways from partners including Thalia, The LEGO Group, Haribo and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Nationwide, mid Aug until mid Sept: Stop by Thalia this summer, where 10 stores across Germany will be celebrating Back to Hogwarts. Visitors can enjoy fun photo opportunities, themed activities, prize-draws and special Harry Potter displays before shopping an exclusive themed range and discovering magical 'back to school' promotions. More details here 29 th Aug & 5 th Sept: Wizards and witches also have the opportunity to attend one of four special Back to Hogwarts themed sleepover events held at Thalia stores in Dusseldorf, Hannover, Leipzig and Hamburg. Lucky attendees can look forward to magical activities and take home an exclusive goody bag. Check out for details on how to apply for free tickets. Hamburg, 31 st Aug: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will host a special Back to Hogwarts Show to celebrate the start of a new school year. Full details here: Italy Milan, 1st Sept: Fans can register to join a spectacular free Back to Hogwarts event, held at Teatro Nazionale. The beautiful space will be entirely themed and transformed into a magical venue for the celebrations. Look forward to an 11'o'clock countdown, interactive games, quizzes, special performances, plus surprise guests! To learn more and register, visit Spain Madrid, 31 st Aug & 1 st Sept: Fans are invited to a special two-day event at a stunning yet-to-be-revealed location. Get ready for plenty of magical fun, including Back to Hogwarts and Harry Potter themed photo opportunities, an interactive 11 o'clock countdown, and much more. Further details will be announced soon. Japan Tokyo, 29 th Aug – 31 st Aug: Baseball fans attending Saitama Seibu Lions games can look forward to a special Back to Hogwarts collaboration with Harry Potter x Lions. Fans can get their hands on bespoke products and visitors on the 29 th will also be able to watch as a cast member from Harry Potter and the Cursed Child makes the ceremonial pitch! China Shanghai: 7 th Aug – 10 th Aug: In honour of Back to Hogwarts season, fans will be able to enjoy both Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire in Concert. Hangzhou: 30 th Aug – 1 st Sept: Look forward to a special Back to Hogwarts celebration in Hangzhou's West Lake District. Expect celebratory photo opportunities, a first glimpse at brand new products and a host of magical fun. Find out more by visiting the official Harry Potter Chinese social channel. Singapore Visitors to Harry Potter: Visions of Magic with a valid ticket, arriving dressed in their favourite house attire have the chance to win complimentary gifts with other surprises on site. Australia Online There are more Back to Hogwarts activities and events yet to be announced, visit to stay up to date, get Sorted into your Hogwarts house, and join the Harry Potter Fan Club.
