Quebec City’s annual celebration of LGBTQ+ pride and gender diversity is changing its name and rolling out a rich and varied program of events for all ages as it marks its 20th anniversary over Labour Day weekend.

The festival known since its founding as the Fête Arc-en- ciel – or, in some early, cheeky English marketing materials, Labour Gay Weekend – will now be known as Fierté Québec.

“We are proud to present to you for a 20th consecutive year the Fête Arc-en-Ciel de Québec. It is important to create inclusive spaces so that community members can gather and celebrate together while allowing allies to show their support and join in the festivities,” Dave Tremblay, president of the Alliance Arc-en-Ciel de Québec, said in a statement. “In order to celebrate this occasion in style, the branding of our beloved festival has been completely redesigned. With this complete rebranding, the goal was not to forget the unique character of this celebration, but also to embrace the future with a renewed and dynamic visual identity, reflecting our commitment to diversity, inclusion and the celebration of communities. Despite this exciting image update, our core values remain unchanged.” This year’s edition will take place from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2, with parties at Le Drague and Le Pantoum getting the festivities going on Aug. 29.

The festival will see the return of “the classics,” including community days, family activities and a queer-positive crafts market along Rue Saint- Jean, free evening drag shows at Place D’Youville featuring Quebec drag legends including Rita Baga, and a solidarity march, according to Sara Gagné Sonarriba, co-director general of the Alliance Arc-en- Ciel. “The march is not a parade – there won’t be any corporate or political delegations, we just welcome anyone who wants to march with us,” she said. After the march, a “gender affirmation activity” will give people the opportunity to explore, affirm or experiment with their gender identity or gender presentation, trying on new clothes, hairstyles and temporary tattoo ideas, among other things. “We always try to respond to people’s needs in a festive and motivating way,” Gagné Sonarriba said.

She described the festival as “a family event where you can learn a lot.” There will be free events at the Librairie Pantoute bookstore on Rue Saint-Jean and at the Centre Frédéric-Back. The festival is free, although a paid “VIP area” offers prime seats for outdoor shows, and parties organized by nearby bars and performance spaces including Le Drague (home of the traditional Drag Brunch), Le Saint-Matthew, Le Tequila Lounge and Le Pantoum do have a cover charge. To see the full program, reserve tickets to a specific event or become a volunteer, visit fiertedequebec.ca.