Santa Cruz Pride will hold its 50th annual parade and festival Sunday, June 1. It’s just one of many smaller parades, festivals, and other events that will usher in Pride Month.
Rob Darrow, chair of Santa Cruz Pride, stated that the annual event has brought nearly 5,000 people to downtown Santa Cruz.
“The 50th anniversary of Santa Cruz Pride is a milestone in history for the visibility and celebration of a vibrant LGBTQ+ community unlike any across the country,” he wrote in a background piece. “It is a time to celebrate all people and allies across the county.”
This year’s theme is “Riding the Waves of Progress – No Going Back.”
Darrow pointed out that in 1975, Santa Cruz became the first smaller city to convene a Pride in the nation.
“The Stonewall riots took place in New York in June 1969 when LGBTQ+ people fought back against police harassment,” he noted. “Many historians consider this to be the beginning of the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement. New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago held the first official ‘Pride’ events in 1970. Since then, Pride is celebrated each year in cities across the world to commemorate the Stonewall riots.”
Darrow stated that in addition to the Stonewall anniversary, Santa Cruz Pride will celebrate the rich LGBTQ history, culture, and people across the county.
The broader Santa Cruz County community has contributed to a thriving LGBTQ+ community, including a 1992 Santa Cruz City Council anti-discrimination employment and housing ordinance based on gender identity and sexual orientation that was one of the first in the state, Darrow noted.
“In June 2024, the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution that designated the county as a sanctuary county for transgender and nonbinary people and, in January 2025, the supervisors passed a resolution affirming that the county is a safe place for LGBTQ+ people,” Darrow stated. “Santa Cruz County is one of the few places in the country where the LGBTQ+ community is integral to the success, growth, and culture of the region.”
The parade steps off at 11 a.m. at Cathcart Street and Pacific Avenue. A festival follows from noon to 4 p.m. with stages at Abbott Square and the Clock Tower.
For more information about all the festivities, go to santacruzpride.org.
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Pride will mark its 40th anniversary with a parade and festival Saturday, May 31. The parade starts at 11 a.m. at the Old Courthouse Square in Santa Rosa. The theme is “Forty and Fierce: A Ruby Celebration of Pride.”
Graton Resort and Casino is partnering once again with the Pride organization and will sponsor a number of events, including the Ruby Ripple Pool Party at the resort, 288 Golf Course Drive West, in Rohnert Park, on Sunday, June 1, from noon to 6 p.m. (People must be 21 or older to attend.) Tickets start at $45.
Pride weekend will kick off with a rally for transgender rights Friday, May 30, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the abovementioned Old Courthouse Square.
“What began as a modest community picnic has blossomed into one of Northern California’s most vibrant celebrations of LGBTQIA+ visibility, resilience, and joy,” stated Christopher Kren-Mora, president of Sonoma County Pride. “For four decades, Sonoma County Pride has honored the power of queer community – lifting up voices, demanding equity, and building spaces where all people can live and love authentically.”
For more information, go to sonomacountypride.org.
Richmond
The 11th annual Richmond Rainbow Pride parade and event will be Sunday, June 1. The parade begins at 10 a.m. at Nicholl Park, 3230 Macdonald Avenue. Organizers stated that this year, there will be a walking parade to Richmond Civic Center via 26th Street and participants are encouraged to bring signs, flags, and energy.
The Pride event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the civic center, 440 Civic Center Plaza. There will be live music, community booths, and drag performances.
This year’s theme is “Forged in Resistance, Shaped by Love.”
For more information, go to richmondrainbowpride.org.
The K Stewart Foundation and Richmond Rainbow Pride will hold an inaugural “Out & Excellent Honorees” event Saturday, May 31, from 1 to 5 p.m. at CoBiz, 1503 Macdonald Avenue, Suite A. There will be music, art, and awards.
Tickets start at $15 and can be purchased here.
Clayton
The East Bay city of Clayton will hold its Pride parade and festival Sunday, June 1. This year’s theme is “Now More Than Ever, Love Matters.”
The parade begins at 10 a.m. downtown, followed by the festival in the Grove until 3:30 p.m. That will feature food trucks, a poetry slam, vendors, and a kids’ area.
For more information, go to claytonpride.com.
Suisun
Up in the North Bay, Solano County Pride Center will hold the Suisun City Pride festival Sunday, June 1, from noon to 6 p.m. at Harbor Plaza, 520 Solano Street. The gathering is free to attend and will feature community resources, vendors, live bands, and cultural entertainment.
For more information, go to solanopride.org.
El Cerrito flag raising
The LGBTQ-majority El Cerrito City Council will hold a flag raising ceremony Monday, June 2, at 4 p.m. in front of City Hall, 10890 San Pablo Avenue.
As the Bay Area Reporter previously noted, following last November’s election, four of the five councilmembers are LGBTQ. That includes Black lesbian Mayor Carolyn Wysinger, who was appointed to the rotating post in December. The others are gay council veteran Gabriel Quinto, gay dad William Ktsanes, and lesbian mom Rebecca Saltzman. (Straight ally Lisa Motoyama rounds out the five-member council.)
In a news release, Wysinger, a former board president of San Francisco Pride, noted the importance of the event.
“This annual flag raising is more than just an event; it’s a powerful symbol of our unwavering support and solidarity with our LGBTQIA+ community,” Wysinger stated. “El Cerrito is a place where everyone belongs, and this celebration reinforces our commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all.”
The Progress Pride flag will fly at City Hall throughout June. Interested members of the public are welcome to attend the flag raising.
Pride in the Park
The East Bay Regional Park District will hold its third annual Pride in the Park Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Tilden Nature Area in Berkeley. The event is free and all are welcome, a flyer stated.
People can bring a picnic and enjoy family-friendly activities, crafts, and nature in celebration with the LGBTQIA+ community. Scheduled events include a puppet show at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; drag story hour with Ms. Wyldflower at noon; facepainting at noon; and a scavenger hunt and games at 1.
Pacifica
Coast Pride in San Mateo County will hold the Pacifica Pride parade and festival Saturday, June 7. The parade begins at 11 a.m. down Palmetto Avenue. The festival starts at 11:15 a.m. and runs until 3 p.m. at Ingrid B. Lacy Middle School, 1427 Palmetto Avenue.
For more information, go to coastpride.org.
Concord
Concord will have its Pride events Saturday, June 7. There will be a march down Main Street starting at 10 a.m., and a kick-off rally at 11. Then, there will be several activities at various locations from noon to 3 p.m. These include a free ice cream truck, Pride craft party, and teen queer-eoke at the Concord Free Public Library, 129 Main Street; a Pride lawn party at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 20 Lexington Road; and a Pride pool party at Emerson Pool, 90 Stow Street.
There will be a free family day at Umbrella Arts Center, 40 Stow Street, from 2 to 4 p.m. At 4, there is Pride in the Park at Rideout Park, 61 Laws Brook Road.
For more information, go to concordpride.org
Walnut Creek
The Walnut Creek Arts and Recreation Department will honor Pride with a citywide celebration, a news release stated.
Drag queen bingo takes place Friday, June 6, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Civic Park Community Center, 1375 Civic Avenue. The cost is $20 and people must be 18 or older.
Saturday, June 7, will see a drag open space hike from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Borges Ranch, 1035 Castle Rock Road. The event is free.
That same day will be Pride Day at Bedford Gallery, 1601 Civic Drive. There will be storytime with author Kate Navolio at 10:30 a.m. (free), followed by a “Pride in Every Hue” workshop at 11:30 ($15). This guided experience teaches techniques for blending and mixing hues.
A post-show Pride mixer will be held Wednesday, June 18, at 10 p.m. following the performance of “Happy Pleasant Valley: A Senior Sex Scandal Murder Mystery Musical” at Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Drive. (Admission is included with show ticket, drinks sold separately.)
Finally, the Pride Art Fest will be held Wednesday, June 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Shadelands Art Center, 111 North Wiget Lane. (Free with optional paid arts experiences.) This all-ages event is hosted by the Center for Community Arts and features hands-on art activities, music, local vendors, and community partners.
“All of our Pride events this year are joyful tributes to love, self-expression, and community,” stated Elizabeth Sheets Orcutt, community relations manager. “Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a bingo connoisseur, or an arts aficionado, there’s a place for you to celebrate, connect, and be your authentic self.”
All events are open to the public. For more information, go to walnutcreekartsrec.org/pride.
SF Pride well-being fair
The San Francisco LGBT Community Center will host the Summer Pride Well-being Fair Saturday, June 7, from noon to 5 p.m. at 1800 Market Street. It’s in partnership with Makunda Studio. The free event offers a spiritual and holistic approach to self-care, an email announcement stated. Attendees can access local LGBTQ+ practitioners, one-on-one sessions, group classes, conversation circles, and a healer’s marketplace.
People can join in person or via a livestream.
To RSVP, click here.
Filoli Pride events
Filoli, the historic house and gardens at 86 Cañada Road in Woodside, will celebrate Pride with a weekend of events.
A Pride House Party will take place Friday, June 13, from 6 to 10 p.m. An email stated staff would be “glamming up” the mansion and lighting up the terrace to provide a high energy experience with DJs, a burlesque show, and LGBTQ+ creatives sharing their brilliance. Tickets are $55.
Pride weekend will be held Saturday, June 14, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There will be interactive activities, wellness experiences, love performances, art, and more.
The cost is free with admission to Filoli, which is $39 for adults, $37 for seniors 65 and older, and $29 for kids ages 5-17.
For more information, go to filoli.org and click on the Pride feature.
San Mateo County
San Mateo County will hold its 13th annual Pride celebration Saturday, June 14. A parade will take place in downtown San Mateo, starting at 10:30 a.m. at Second and B streets. A celebration will be held at Central Park, 50 East Fifth Avenue, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
An email announcement noted that the celebration is a free and sober event. There will be resource and vendor booths, entertainment, food trucks, a live DJ, pet-friendly areas, and areas for youth and older adults.
The event is sponsored by San Mateo County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services, the San Mateo County Pride Initiative, the San Mateo County Pride Center, the county’s LGBTQ commission, and OutLet, a division of Adolescent Counseling Services.
For more information, go to smcpridecelebration.com.
Half Moon Bay
Coast Pride will present Half Moon Bay’s Pride event Sunday, June 22. A parade will take place down Main Street at noon. The festival is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Mac Dutra Park, 504 Main Street. There will be food, dancing, and entertainment.
For more information, go to coastpride.org.
Sausalito
Sausalito Pride will be held June 20-22. Friday, June 20, will be Pride Night at Jazz and Blues by the Bay in Gabrielson Park at Anchor Street and Humboldt Avenue. It is free for all ages.
Saturday, June 21, from 4 to 6 p.m. will be Pride and Expression, art, literature, and conversation at the Sausalito Center for the Arts, 750 Bridgeway. It is free for all ages.
Sunday, June 22, from 2:30 to 5 p.m. will be Tea by the Sea, at Ditas, 562 Bridgeway. It includes a DJ, dancing, and open bar. Tickets are $100.
For more information, go to sausalitopride.org.