Los Angeles is a vibrant city that comes alive in June with a plethora of Pride events, parades, and parties honoring the LGBTQ+ community. Each festival embodies the rich history, culture, and ongoing quest for equality of LGBTQ+ individuals. The Pride celebrations in L.A. create a colorful, inclusive atmosphere that attracts thousands from diverse backgrounds, fostering love and acceptance throughout the summer months.
The Pride festival season in L.A. starts in May and extends through August, providing a wide array of activities for everyone to enjoy. From lively parades and concerts to community gatherings and cultural events, these celebrations have become some of the most significant and influential in the country.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the seven major Pride festivals happening in Los Angeles:
**Long Beach Pride**
Long Beach Pride stands as one of California’s largest LGBTQ+ events, drawing more than 80,000 attendees each year. The 42nd annual celebration, themed “The Power of Community,” was scheduled to take place at Marina Green Park on May 17–18, 2025, featuring live music, drag shows, and a diverse range of vendors.
Key events for Long Beach Pride include:
– **Teen Pride (May 16)**: A free celebration at Marina Green Park designed for LGBTQ+ teens, featuring DJs, drag bingo, food, and giveaways.
– **Pride Festival (May 17–18)**: A weekend of music, drag shows, and community fun alongside numerous food and vendor options at Marina Green Park.
– **Pride Parade (May 18)**: Enjoy a colorful parade along Ocean Boulevard with floats, live music, and community participation.
– **Pride Run (May 18)**: A 5K and 10K run/walk event on the beach, also featuring a kids’ fun run to raise funds for LGBTQ+ causes.
**WeHo Pride**
Spread across over a month, WeHo Pride marks West Hollywood’s legendary LGBTQ+ celebration, taking place from May 22 to June 30, 2025. This festival is one of the largest and most vibrant Pride celebrations in the world, encompassing parades, events, and cultural programming.
Highlights of WeHo Pride include:
– **WeHo Pride Arts Festival (May 23 – May 25)**: Showcasing LGBTQ+ creativity through visual art, dance, performance, and literary showcases at various West Hollywood venues.
– **It’s Where I Belong Drag Exhibit (Open until June 29)**: A tribute exhibition honoring the queer trailblazers in drag culture, emphasizing their contributions to the community.
– **Friday Night at OUTLOUD (May 30)**: A free outdoor concert at West Hollywood Park featuring Maren Morris alongside special guest performances.
– **The Traitors Pop-Up (May 31)**: Emmy Award-winning TV host Alan Cumming brings his NYC experience Club Cumming to West Hollywood.
– **Women’s Freedom Festival (May 31)**: This vibrant event highlights LGBTQ+ and BIPOC women, non-binary artists, and activists.
– **Dyke March (May 31)**: A powerful march along Santa Monica Boulevard promoting visibility and solidarity within the lesbian community.
– **OUTLOUD Music Festival (May 31 – June 1)**: A high-energy music festival with performances by Lizzo, Kim Petras, Paris Hilton, and others.
– **WeHo Pride Street Fair (May 31 – June 1)**: A free festival with live entertainment, diverse vendors, and community activities along Santa Monica Boulevard.
– **WeHo Pride Parade (June 1)**: A grand finale parade featuring colorful floats, performers, and celebrity guests celebrating LGBTQ+ pride through the streets of West Hollywood.
**LA Pride**
As one of the most iconic Pride celebrations in the nation, LA Pride honors and uplifts the LGBTQ+ community in June every year. This event is renowned for its exciting parade, live music, community festivities, and cultural programming, primarily concentrated in Hollywood.
Major events for LA Pride in 2025 include:
– **LA Pride in the Park (June 7)**: A ticketed music festival at Los Angeles State Historic Park featuring prominent artists and DJs along with food vendors and performances showcasing LGBTQ+ culture.
– **LA Pride Parade (June 8)**: This vibrant parade begins at 11 AM along Hollywood Boulevard, featuring decorative floats, community organizations, celebrities, and distinguished Grand Marshals like Niecy Nash and Jessica Betts.
– **LA Pride Village (June 8)**: A free street fair hosting live entertainment on two stages, over 90 vendors, food options, and engaging experiences—open to the public.
**Venice Pride**
Venice Pride captures the spirit of the LGBTQ+ community with its fun, free celebration at Venice Beach, scheduled for June 7, 2025. This event is marked by a vibrant block party and after-party where locals and visitors gather to celebrate love and diversity.
Events at Venice Pride include:
– **Venice Pride Festival (March 8)**: A family-friendly daytime gathering filled with live entertainment and community booths, including the beloved Pride Pet Parade.
– **Venice Pride Block Party (June 7)**: A lively, all-ages street celebration at Venice Beach with live DJ sets, queer marketplaces, and food trucks.
– **GayWatch After Party (June 7)**: The official after-party at Baja Cantina features guest DJs, dancing, and a festive beachside atmosphere.
**SaMo Pride**
Santa Monica’s SaMo Pride unfolds as an official month-long LGBTQ+ celebration throughout June, culminating in a lively event on June 21, 2025. This celebration spans key areas like Third Street Promenade and the Santa Monica Pier, offering live music and various activities for all ages.
Essential components of SaMo Pride include:
– **Pride on the Promenade (June 21, 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM)**: Enjoy live performances, interactive games, and a curated marketplace along the Third Street Promenade, alongside community resources.
– **Pride at the Pier Beach Sporting Experience (June 21, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM)**: Compete in mini-tournaments for sports like kickball, volleyball, and more, all taking place near the Santa Monica Pier.
– **Pride at the Pier Beach Volleyball (June 21, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM)**: Join in open-format beach volleyball games, welcoming participants of all skill levels near the Santa Monica Pier.
– **Pride Disco & Kid Zone (June 21, 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)**: A family-friendly silent disco and inclusive craft activities offered in collaboration with Cayton Children’s Museum at Santa Monica Place.
– **Pride on the Pier Dance Party (June 22)**: Cap off the festivities with a vibrant dance party on the Santa Monica Pier, celebrating the community and supporting local LGBTQ+ organizations.
**Los Angeles Black Pride**
Taking place in July 2025, Los Angeles Black Pride focuses on uplifting the Black LGBTQ+ community through a weekend full of joy and connections. This year’s theme, “#FutureForward,” includes an array of pool parties, drag brunches, and cultural events celebrating identity and pride.
The featured events of Los Angeles Black Pride are:
– **BLACK FRIDAY Kickoff Celebration (July 4)**: A lively opening night at The Abbey featuring top DJs and a welcoming atmosphere, free with RSVP.
– **BLQ MKT + Block Party (July 5)**: A day event at Catch One, showcasing queer vendors and live DJs.
– **LA Black Pride Main Event (July 5)**: The flagship party for the weekend filled with entertainment and special guest appearances.
– **KIKI Ball Brunch & Fundraiser (July 6)**: Enjoy brunch that merges ballroom culture at Beaches Tropicana, with proceeds supporting the community.
– **SOUL Sunday LA Black Pride Finale (July 6)**: A fitting conclusion to the weekend with DJs and dancing at Beaches Tropicana.
**DTLA Proud**
Scheduled for August, DTLA Proud celebrates the LGBTQ+ community in Downtown L.A. with music, art, and culture. The festival usually occurs in Pershing Square and includes live music, a pop-up water park, food trucks, and a marketplace with over 40 queer-owned vendors.
Key events for DTLA Proud in 2025 are:
– **DTLA Proud Festival (August 24 – 25)**: A two-day vibrant celebration at Pershing Square, packed with live music and community activities for all ages.
– **SummerTramp (During the festival weekend)**: Engage in a lively party atmosphere featuring DJs, dancing, and a unique above-ground pool experience.
– **DTLA Proud Marketplace (August 24 – 25)**: Shop from over 40 queer-owned vendors, offering a variety of products, including art and fashion.
– **Community Booths and Art Installations (August 24 – 25)**: Explore interactive booths highlighting local LGBTQ+ organizations and creative installations.
With such a rich array of events slated for the summer, Los Angeles shines as a beacon of Pride, inviting individuals from all walks of life to celebrate together. Each festival fosters community, joy, and acceptance, making it an unmissable experience for locals and visitors alike.
image source from:https://secretlosangeles.com/full-guide-to-la-pride-festivals/