By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

June is Pride Month in Canada, and the Peel and Dufferin—Caledon communities are celebrating with an action-packed month.

On Friday, June 19, local business Maggiolly Art Supplies in Orangeville will host a free “Maggiolly Pride Paint Party” from 6 – 9 p.m.

The event is part of Celebrate Your Awesome's Pride and Diversity week in Dufferin.

Celebrate Your Awesome is a volunteer-run organization and annual festival in Orangeville, dedicated to “fostering inclusivity, pride, and community spirit.”

Their event, on June 20, is returning to Orangeville this year with various programming, live performances, vendors and a special storytime. The event marks its ninth year running.

Celebrate Your Awesome will run from 11 am to 8 pm at Alexandra Park, with a day of activities for all.

The event includes drag and comedy shows, musical performances, and community vendors, with Guelph-based drag queen Sapphyre Poison leading this year's story time at noon.

One week after Celebrate Your Awesome, IDEA Caledon's 3rd Annual Pride Family Picnic in the Park will be on June 27.

The event is inclusive for all ages, and IDEA Caledon encourages attendees to bring a picnic blanket, lawn chairs, and creativity for an afternoon filled with family-friendly activities, games, food, and entertainment.

The day includes story time and activities by Caledon Public Library, a creative activity by Roots and Ravens, Town of Caledon garden games, BrightStart Caledon activities, Caledon OPP and Caledon Fire and Emergency Services vehicles on display, and a scavenger hunt to close things out.

It takes place on Saturday, June 27, from 12 noon to 2pm in Caledon East Park.

Finally, just after June, Peel Together Pride Forever 2026 will take place on July 11 at Community Common Park in Mississauga.

The event is organized by the 2SLGBTQ+ Collaborative Organizations in Peel Region and Moyo Health and Community Services.

The day will run from 12 noon to 4 p.m., and feature drag performances and storytime, spoken word, ballroom dance group, and more.