California will mark Pride Month 2025 with a range of events and festivals across the state, reflecting its history as a leader in LGBTQ+ rights. In 2018, California became the first state to officially designate June as LGBTQ+ Pride Month.
The state’s legacy includes milestones such as founding the first LGBTQ+ business association in 1962, Laguna Beach electing the first openly gay mayor in the United States, and San Francisco being home to the creation of the rainbow flag.
Sacramento’s SacPride will take place on June 14–15 at Capitol Mall, featuring food vendors and performances from Drag Race stars like Shea Couleé alongside local artists. The weekend concludes with a Pride March commemorating the Stonewall Riots.
Sonoma County will celebrate its 40th annual Pride under the theme “Forty and Fierce” from May 30 to June 1 in Santa Rosa. Events include a flag-raising ceremony, drag performances, DJ dance parties, and special winemaker dinners as part of Out in the Vineyard Gay Wine Weekend from July 18–20.
Napa Pride returns for its 23rd year throughout June, beginning with a Tea Dance kickoff at Andaz Mercantile Terrace on June 1. Details are available on Napa Pride’s website.
San Francisco Bay Area’s festival adopts “Queer Joy is Resistance” as its theme for June 28–29. Civic Center Plaza hosts concerts and cabaret acts, culminating in Sunday’s parade from Embarcadero to City Hall. The Pink Triangle installation at Twin Peaks serves as an annual memorial for LGBTQ+ victims of the Holocaust.
Other Bay Area highlights include Ribbons of Remembrance at Filoli (June 14–15), Fresh Meat Festival showcasing trans and queer artists at Z Space (June 19–21), and Frameline49: The San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (June 18–28).
Pacifica celebrates with a car parade and festival on June 7 that features food trucks, music, local art displays, family activities, evening afterparties with DJs and bands, and a Dress-in-Drag party.
Central Coast Pride spans May through June across San Luis Obispo County towns such as Atascadero, Cambria, Los Osos, culminating in main festivities from May 30–June 1.
Los Angeles County’s history includes hosting the world’s first permitted gay pride parade. Its annual event returns for a 55th year on June 8 along Hollywood Boulevard with floats attended by about 145,000 people. West Hollywood holds WeHo Pride May 30–June 1 featuring OUTLOUD Music Festival with performers including Lizzo and Lil Nas X; other events include arts festivals and parades.
Santa Monica offers SaMo Pride throughout June. Activities include street festivals like Pride on the Promenade (June 21), storytelling sessions at Santa Monica Pier for families called Fabulous Fables, face painting performances, plus a bar crawl celebrating diversity.
Catalina Island hosts Catalina Pride from June 6–7 in Avalon with live entertainment on Wrigley Stage followed by a march to Casino Point and rainbow lighting of Catalina Casino.
Disneyland After Dark: Pride Nite takes place at Disneyland Park in Anaheim on June 16 and June 18 during special after-hours events featuring themed dance parties and character appearances during the Pride Cavalcade.
Fresno’s Rainbow Pride event occurs on June 7 offering live music acts alongside more than one hundred vendors; entry is $5 per person at the gate granting access to food stalls and family-friendly areas.
Santa Ynez Valley holds its fourth SYV Pride Month celebration starting with Solvang’s parade on June 14 that includes live music performances along with children’s activities such as face painting and bounce houses.
Some cities hold major celebrations outside of June. San Diego hosts events July 16–20 including Spirit of Stonewall Rally in Balboa Park headlined by Kehlani; Oakland holds its Carnival & Fun Fair September 7; Palm Springs’ Greater Palm Springs Pride runs November 6–9; Orange County’s OC Parade & Festival takes place September 27 in Costa Mesa.
