Rainbow-coloured balloon awnings, fabulous drag queens, leather daddies: From the scantily-clad to the elaborately-headdressed, Vancouver's Pride Parade is a magnificent display of diversity, spirit, creativity, and unity and one of the city's can't-miss summer events.

See also: Top 5 Vancouver Pride Events.

Beginning as a protest march through Davie Village in 1978, the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival has become a world-class Pride celebration, with over 150 float and parade entries, a party for 80,000 people at Sunset Beach, and over 700,000 attendees.

The Parade starts in downtown Vancouver, at Robson and Bute, and winds its way through the West End--the historic centre of Vancouver's LGBT community--culminating at Sunset Beach, where the party continues with a Festival of vendors, live music, beer gardens and more.

• When: Pride Parade, Sunday, August 2, 2015, 12pm - 3pm
  Pride Festival, Sunday, August 2, 2015, beginning at 2pm
• Where: The Pride Parade route begins at Robson St. and Bute in downtown Vancouver, proceeds west on Robson to Denman, then south to Beach Ave, ending at Sunset Beach, where the Pride Festival takes place.
• Getting to the Vancouver Pride Parade and Festival: Like the Celebration of Light and other huge downtown events, driving (and parking) will be extremely difficult. Take the bus, SkyTrain (Granville Station is within easy walking distance of the Parade starting point), or walk.

Organized by the Vancouver Pride Society, the Pride Parade celebrates its 37th anniversary in 2015.

With more than a half-million spectators and participants expected, space along the route will be at a premium.

Go early to ensure a good spot.