Galway Pride 2016 runs from Monday 15 August to Sunday 21 August 2016 featuring comedy nights, workshops, and of course the Pride Parade

Galway Pride 2016 is almost upon us, so here’s the full events that are going to take place. You can also check out the Galway Pride Chairperson’s open letter.

For details on TBC venues, check the festival’s website, or the events are also listed in GCN, so pick up a copy so you don’t miss out on the Pride fun!

Monday, August 15

Flag Raising Ceremony

Eyre Square, 1:30pm
Raising the rainbow flag to kick off a week of celebration.

Launch Party

Location TBC, 8pm
Join the Galway Pride committee to celebrate the launch of what promises to be the best festival ever.

Tuesday, August 16

Candlelight Vigil

Eyre Square, 6:30pm
A vigil to honour the memories of friends and family lost to suicide, violence, addiction or HIV/Aids.

Educational Workshops

The Loft (Seven Bar), 7pm
Featuring an interactive workshop from the Trans Equality Network Ireland (TENI) and Q&A on mental health with Paula Fagan from the National LGBT Helpline.

Wednesday, August 17

Educational Workshops

Venue TBC, 7pm
‘Finding The Words’, a workshop for families who either suspect their loved one is LGBT or has recently come out as LGBT, helping find the language to start those important conversations.
‘HIV Stigma Update’, an interactive workshop to help gay men better understand what it means to be HIV-Positive, undetectable, and the difference between the two.

Thursday, August 18

LGBTQIA+ Tea Party

Secret Garden, 4 to 7pm
A fun tea party, and a way to meet other people in Galway’s queer community.

Reproductive Rights and the Queer Community

Venue TBC, 7.30pm
A talk on the impact faced by our community in the fight for reproductive rights, and ways to help pro-choice movements be more inclusive of trans men, non-binary folk, and others who are affected by the Eighth Ammendment in Ireland.

Friday, August 19

Comedy Night

The Loft, 9pm, €15 early bird/€20 regular
Hilarious LGBT-focused comedy night headlined by Pat McDonnell with very special guest Katherine Lynch, followed by ‘Dance Your Pants Off’ party with DJ John (€10 entry after 11.30pm).

Saturday, August 20

Pride Parade

Kicking off from City Hall at 2pm
Get your glad rags on and show Galway how colourful and fabulous its LGBT community really is!

Family Fun Event

Spanish Arch, 3 to 6pm
Featuring lots of fun for everyone in the LGBT family, including live music, food trucks, and a volunteer info tent.

Block Party

The Black Box, 8 to 10:45pm, €15 early bird/€20 regular
Outdoor party with live music, DJ Conor Behan, performers, food trucks, a bar and more!

Official Pride Party

They Black Box, 11pm to 2am, €15 early bird/€20 regular (or both parties for €20)

The theme is Icons & Legends, so we’re going old school with all the best hits from our favourite divas.

Sunday, August 21

Corrib Princess Cruise

7 to 9pm, €15 early bird/€20 regular
Meet at Nova Bar for a BBQ and pre-drinks, then take the open top bus for a reality tour of Galway city, then all aboard the Corrib Princess for two hours of music, dancing and a drag show with Dixie Normous!

Closing Party

Nova, 9pm, free event
Dance the night away to end the mother of all Galway Prides!

Follow Galway Pride Festival 2016 on Facebook and check out www.galwaypridefestival.com for updates and information

(Image: Flickr)