Vancouver 
Events Description
The Connection Salon Artists Collective presents Mad Pride Festival this summer from June 25–July 25, 2026, at the Gathering Place Community Centre. The free event features a diverse line-up of visual artists, stand-up comics, theatre actors, musicians, poets, and more, all in celebration of art-making by people who identify as living with mental illness, psychiatric disabilities, or “madness.” The festival aims to reclaim the term “mad” while celebrating neurodiversity and challenging psychiatric stigma. Programming includes an all-Indigenous Mad Arts Coffee House on June 25 featuring artists like Joseph Dandurand, Trevor Jang, and Randy Tait; an evening of Stand Up for Mental Health led by David Granirer; a double-bill film screening at the Cinematheque titled Desiring Bodies; a visual arts exhibition Gifts of Madness; and more engaging events culminating in a Mad Pride Parade and Cabaret to close out the festival.
Visit connectionsalon.ca for the full festival program. Admission to all events is free.
Who is it for?
All ages
HOW MUCH
Tickets : Free
How to get tickets?
WHEN & WHERE
Date: Thursday June 25, 2026 to Saturday July 25, 2026
- Mad Arts Coffee House
Thursday, June 25, 4–7pm
A curated showcase of Indigenous artists. - David Diamond Theatre for the Living
Thursday, July 2, 10am–5pm
A free theatre workshop on the theme of “belonging”. - Stand Up for Mental Health
Tuesday, July 7, 5:30–7pm
An evening of stand-up with five local comics. - Gifts of Madness
Friday, July 3–Sunday, August 16, 2026
The exhibition centres on the theme of resilience and will feature 12 local artists.
Meet the Artist on July 9 from 5:30–7pm with spoken word poet Nate Nate Nainers. - Art Talks in Plain English
Thursday, July 16, 5:30–7pm
Community artist Sandra Yuen talks about her artistic practice. - Desiring Bodies: Double-Bill Film Screening with Cinevolution Media Arts Society
Sunday, July 26, 12:30–3:30pm at The Cinematheque
(Courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada)
“Am I the skinniest person you’ve ever seen?” by Eisha Majara
(runtime: 24 minutes).
“Sisters” by Ying Wang
(runtime: 86 minutes).
A discussion with the filmmakers will follow. - Mad Pride Parade and Cabaret
Saturday, July 25, 1–5pm
Parade with The Carnival Band down Seymour Street Cabaret at The Gathering Place Featuring:
Sinéad X Sanders, Magpie Ulysses, Daniela Elza, Jude Neale, and Reid Jamieson & CVM.
Venue & Address
Gathering Place Community Centre, 609 Helmcken St, Vancouver BC V6B 5S4
Wheelchair accessible
Accessible by Public Transport
