Pride Month is rapidly approaching, and several Northern California cities and counties will be holding festivities to celebrate the LGBTQ community.
Sonoma County
Sonoma County will hold its 38th annual Pride Month, with many events taking place June 2-4, including the Pride parade and festival on Saturday, June 3. This year's theme is "Community." There will be a Pride flag-raising June 1. Most of the weekend events take place at or near the Old Courthouse Square in downtown Santa Rosa. The parade kicks off at 11 a.m. at Fourth Street and Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa.
Other activities that weekend include a movie night, after-party, and the Wigs and Waffles brunch. Later in the month there will be the Outwatch LGBTQI film series (June 9-11), Out at NASCAR (June 11), and an open drag night (June 17).
For more information, visit sonomacountypride.org.
Pacifica, Half Moon Bay
Coast Pride based in Half Moon Bay is sponsoring two events in coastside San Mateo County communities. Saturday, June 3, is the second annual Pacifica Pride celebration along Palmetto Avenue. The parade starts at 11 a.m. on Palmetto Avenue, followed by a festival from 11:30 to 2:30 p.m. in the quad at Ingrid B. Lacy School, 1427 Palmetto Avenue. There will be food trucks, entertainment, a family zone, and youth music area, according to a flyer.
Half Moon Bay will see its inaugural Pride event Sunday, June 11. There will be a parade starting at 12:30 p.m. on Main Street followed by a festival from 1 to 3 p.m. at Mac Dutra Square, 504 Main Street. There will be entertainment, food, drinks, and a family fun zone. An after-party takes place at 3:30 with DJ China G at San Benito House, 356 Main Street.
For more information, go to coastpride.org.
Clayton
In the East Bay, the city of Clayton will celebrate Pride with its second annual parade Sunday, June 4, beginning at 10 a.m. on Main Street. Clayton Pride organizes the event and this year's theme is "All the Colors in the Rainbow." Gay Contra Costa County Supervisor Ken Carlson will be riding in the parade, which will be led by kids on their bikes, according to the Pride organization.
Afterward people can picnic in the park or dine at a local establishment. There will be information and vendor booths, and face painting.
The Rainbow Community Center in Concord is a co-sponsor and fiscal sponsor of the Pride organization. For more information, go to claytonpride.com.
Richmond
Also in the East Bay, Richmond Rainbow Pride will hold its festival Sunday, June 4, beginning at noon at Richmond Civic Center Plaza, 2569 Nevin Avenue.
This year's theme is "Pride and Joy," and the afternoon will be hosted by Kaikai Bee Michaels and feature DJ Sir Ellis. There will be art, drag, and music, according to a flyer.
For more information, go to richmondrainbowpride.org.
Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz will hold its 48th annual Pride parade Sunday, June 4. This year's theme is "Waves of Pride," and the event starts at 11 a.m. at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Cathcart Street. A festival follows from noon to 4 p.m. along Cooper Street and Pacific Avenue.
For more information, go to santacruzpride.org.
Sausalito
In Marin County, Sausalito will hold its first-ever citywide Pride celebration beginning June 9 and continuing through July 1.
Events include a multi-exhibit, "Pride Not Prejudice," in celebration of Pride Month at the Sausalito Center for the Arts, 750 Bridgeway. An opening reception is set for Friday, June 9, at 6 p.m.
On Friday, June 30, at 6 p.m. there will be Pride Night at Jazz and Blues by the Bay at Gabrielson Park at Anchor Street and Humboldt Avenue along the waterfront. People can enjoy live music by Banda Sin Nombre.
Sausalito Pride is co-sponsored by the city, the arts center, the Spahr Center, the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, and Gene Hiller Menswear.
For more information, go to sausalitopride.org.
San Mateo County
San Mateo County's 11th annual Pride event will be held Saturday, June 10, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at San Mateo Central Park, 50 E. Fifth Avenue in the city of San Mateo. "Free to Be Me in 2023" is the theme for the event that will feature resource and vendor booths, food trucks, DJ China G, and more. The emcee will be Manang.
The county this year is hosting its first-ever Pride parade ahead of the celebration. It will kick off at Second and B Street at 10 a.m. with marchers taking a route that leads to the park. A full route map and a way for groups that want to march to sign up for the parade can be found here.
Sponsors for the celebration include Coast Pride, the San Mateo County Pride Center, San Mateo County Pride Initiative, the County of San Mateo LGBTQ Commission, San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, Outlet, and the San Mateo County Fair.
Admission is free to this family-friendly and sober event.
Sacramento
Sacramento Pride weekend returns to the Capitol Mall June 10-11. Organized by the Sacramento LGBT Community Center, it will feature a Pride march and festival, as well as a weekend of entertainment, education, and a vibrant sense of community, a news release stated.
Organizers expect over 20,000 people during the two-day event. Festivities kick off that Saturday with performances, including headliner Rebecca Black, known for her chart-topping hit "Friday." The festival runs from noon to 9 p.m. Saturday and noon to 6 Sunday. Single-day adult festival tickets are $15 if purchased by May 31; prices increase afterward.
In addition to the stages, the festival will feature DJ booths with dance areas, youth and family activities, a wide range of local vendors, food trucks, beverage stations, and a 21+ VIP lounge.
Entertainers include Sacramento-area drag performers and "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars Naomi Smalls, Plastique Tiara, and Mistress Isabelle Brooks bringing their talent and energy to the stage.
The Sunday march, which is free, begins at 11 a.m. South Side Park, located at Eighth and T streets, and winds its way to the Capitol, culminating at the entrance to the festival.
Organizers noted, "Sacramento Pride weekend serves as a reminder of the progress made in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights while acknowledging the work that remains. It is an opportunity for people from all walks of life to come together, learn from one another, and build a stronger, more inclusive society."
For more information, go to sacramentopride.org.
Concord
Finally, the Rainbow Community Center will present Pride in the Plaza Saturday, June 17, from noon to 6 p.m. at Todos Santos Plaza, 2175 Willow Pass Road in Concord.
The family-friendly event will include vendor and information booths, food and beverages, and LGBTQ+ entertainment. There is no charge for admission but donations are welcome.
To register, visit the EventBrite page
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