The OUT&about Wānaka Charitable Trust is gearing up for another exciting year of celebrating love, diversity, and inclusion with a vibrant lineup of Pride events for Wānaka Pride Week 2024.

Running from Monday 11th to Sunday 17th November, Wānaka Pride Week will feature the return of the epic Pride Street Party at the Lake Wānaka Centre on Saturday 16th November. It promises to be a week-long celebration filled with music, film, art, performances, and storytelling, all aimed at building community connections.

A Week of Pride: Events for All – 11th to 17th November 2024

Wānaka Pride Week 2024 has been carefully curated to foster unity and understanding while raising funds for inclusivity programmes. With a variety of events ranging from lively performances to thoughtful discussions, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Here’s a sneak peek at the week’s events:

• Monday: Queer Film Fest @ Rhyme x Reason
• Tuesday: Living Library – check out a “book” as members of the rainbow community share their stories with you in an intimate setting @ Wānaka Library
• Wednesday: Queer Quarterly Reads – a queer-themed book club @ The Last Chapter
• Thursday: Queers & Beers – Wānaka Pride Week edition, a relaxed evening to socialise and connect over a beer, non-alcoholic options, or bao buns @ Rhyme x Reason
• Friday (Day): Pride Pledge Training – supporting inclusivity and understanding in workplaces and communities. Reach out to learn more.
• Friday (Evening): Drag Bingo with Miss Bubbles @ LWC, followed by Drag Karaoke with Frothy La Frou Frou for a night of fun and fabulousness
• Saturday (Day): Pride Street Party – a full day of celebration with markets, dancing, DJs, and drag, plus some epic kai and chilled-out spaces
• Saturday (Night): Pride After Dark (18+) – an evening of hedonism, transforming the Lake Wānaka Centre into a full disco experience with drag, burlesque, and genre-bending DJs
• Sunday: A chill day with a Coffee Morning and music, followed by a SunDAY Disco to wrap up the week, reminisce, and cement our community connections

A Growing Movement

OUT&about Wānaka emerged from the enthusiasm and energy of the 2023 Pride Street Party, which saw between 1,500 and 2,000 people come together to celebrate diversity. Following the success of the Pride Street Party, OUT&about Wānaka has evolved into a charitable trust, bringing people from all backgrounds together to support and showcase the local rainbow community. OUT&about Wānaka is committed to promoting love and acceptance in the wider Wānaka and Upper Clutha communities. The organisation is currently developing programmes to support social well-being, create inclusive support networks, and provide educational workshops in partnership with groups like insideOUT and Pride Pledge.

Looking Ahead: Expanding the Vision

The OUT&about Wānaka team has big dreams for the future. Festival Director Ollie Harcus and Media and Communications Lead Nisse Perry are passionate about expanding the range of events and bringing in even more rainbow/queer talent. They’re excited to see the festival grow and spread its message of acceptance and celebration beyond Wānaka, with hopes to include more events throughout the district in the coming years.

A Call for Community Involvement

OUT&about Wānaka isn’t just about celebrating once a year—it’s about building an inclusive, supportive community all year long. Organisers encourage anyone interested in getting involved to reach out via social media or email at wanakapeople@gmail.com. Whether you’d like to sponsor an event, volunteer your time, or simply show up to support, there’s a place for everyone in Wānaka’s Pride movement.

As OUT&about Wānaka continues to grow, the team remains committed to its mission of fostering love, acceptance, and visibility for the LGBTQI+ community. With the support of local businesses like Rhyme & Reason and funding from QLDC and the Burnett Foundation Aotearoa, they are building a future where inclusivity is the norm.

A Future of Inclusion

Looking ahead, OUT&about Wānaka envisions a vibrant, colourful, and inclusive community where everyone feels welcome to be themselves. The organisation is proud to be part of this movement and looks forward to growing alongside its community, with exciting events and programmes on the horizon.

For more information on how to get involved, donate, or volunteer, follow OUT&about Wānaka on Facebook and Instagram, or reach out directly at wanakapeople@gmail.com.

All images credited to the talented Deena Gerlach