California will host a wide range of events to celebrate Pride Month in 2025, reflecting the state’s long history of LGBTQ+ activism and culture. In 2018, California became the first state in the United States to officially designate June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
The state’s legacy includes milestones such as the founding of the first LGBTQ+ business association in 1962, Laguna Beach electing the country’s first openly gay mayor, and San Francisco being the birthplace of the rainbow flag.
Major cities across California will mark Pride with parades, festivals, concerts, and community gatherings. Sacramento’s SacPride is expected to draw over 20,000 visitors on June 14–15 at Capitol Mall, featuring performances from Drag Race stars like Shea Couleé and local talent. The event will also include a Pride March honoring the Stonewall Riots.
Sonoma County will hold its 40th annual Pride celebration themed “Forty and Fierce” from May 30 to June 1 in Santa Rosa. Activities include a parade, pool party, winemaker dinners, and tours as part of Out in the Vineyard Gay Wine Weekend scheduled for July 18–20.
Napa Pride returns for its 23rd year with events throughout June. The official kickoff party is set for June 1 at Andaz Mercantile Terrace in downtown Napa.
San Francisco’s annual Pride festival on June 28–29 adopts “Queer Joy is Resistance” as its theme. Events include live music at Civic Center Plaza and a parade from Embarcadero to City Hall. The Pink Triangle installation on Twin Peaks will commemorate LGBTQ+ victims of the Holocaust. Other Bay Area highlights are Filoli’s Ribbons of Remembrance display (June 14–15), Fresh Meat Festival (June 19–21), and Frameline49: The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (June 18–28).
Pacifica hosts its own celebration on June 7 with a car parade, festival, food trucks, musical acts, local artists’ tables, family activities, and afterparties featuring DJs and bands.
Central Coast Pride spans May and June across San Luis Obispo County towns including Atascadero, Cambria, and Los Osos. The main weekend takes place May 30–June 1.
Los Angeles will hold its 55th annual permitted gay pride parade on June 8 along Hollywood Boulevard with an estimated attendance of about 145,000 people. West Hollywood’s WeHo Pride runs May 30–June 1 with a street fair and OUTLOUD music festival featuring Lizzo, Lil Nas X, Honey Dijon, Paris Hilton, and Kim Petras. The WeHo Pride Arts Festival (May 23–25) offers performances by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles among other events.
Santa Monica celebrates SaMo Pride throughout June with activities for all ages including a street festival on June 21. Families can attend Fabulous Fables at Santa Monica Pier or join nightlife events like the citywide bar crawl.
Catalina Island will mark Catalina Pride from June 6–7 in Avalon with live entertainment at Wrigley Stage and a march to Casino Point.
Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite takes place in Anaheim on June 16 and June 18 from late evening until early morning hours. Guests can enjoy themed entertainment including dance parties and special appearances by Mickey and Minnie Mouse during the Pride Cavalcade.
Fresno Rainbow Pride occurs on June 7 with a family-friendly parade followed by live music performances and over one hundred vendors offering food and merchandise.
Santa Ynez Valley holds its fourth annual SYV Pride Month celebration on June 14 in Solvang featuring live music and children’s activities.
Some cities host their main celebrations outside of June. San Diego plans events July 16–20 culminating in a two-day festival at Balboa Park headlined by Kehlani and Kim Petras. Oakland will hold its parade along with Carnival & Fun Fair on September 7 while Greater Palm Springs hosts festivities November 6–9 including an Arenas District Block Party.
Orange County remains an important destination for LGBTQ+ tourism; Costa Mesa will be home to OC Pride Parade & Festival on September 27.
