It’s Pride month, San Diego! While it’s important to celebrate inclusivity and LOVE year-round, the month of June (and July) offers plenty of ways to support and show acceptance of our LGBTQ+ friends and family. From parades and festivals to a children’s garden event— San Diego is a destination for Pride events and provides plenty of sparkle-filled ways to include your kids in the festivities.
Children’s Garden
San Diego Pride is committed to showing kids of all ages the importance of being proud with who they are and offering them ways to have fun during pride month. At Children’s Garden, youth high-school-aged and younger get in for free and can enjoy entertainment including a toddler play area, face painting, hat making, a balloon artist, a playhouse giveaway, arts and crafts and more throughout the entire weekend. They’ll be hot dogs, popcorn, snow cones, and other snakes in a private family-only shaded oasis with tables, chairs and restrooms. By purchasing tickets to the festival, you get all weekend access to four stages of live entertainment and enjoy even more workshops and activities hosted by other community partnership organizations.
Event details.
Pride by the Beach
This free family-friendly pride festival is tobacco and alcohol-free. The 15th annual celebration takes place in downtown Oceanside, steps from the beach, with two stages over 100 vendors, a youth zone, arts, an education walk, an inaugural pet contest, free dental screenings, COVID vaccines, and community resources, and fun for the whole family.
Fri., June 11, 12 p.m – 6 pm.
Online: pridebythebeach.org
Sweet Escape:
Local favorites Pot Pie Co. and Stella Jean’s Ice Cream are hosting a “sweet escape” for the community on June 1st. Bring your little one for a mid-week treat and support locally owned Queer and Asian businesses.
Wed., June 1, 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Online:
Annual San Diego Pride Parade
The annual San Diego Pride Parade is the largest single-day civic event in the region, and is among the largest Prides in the United States, attracting over 250,000 cheering supporters of the LGBTQ community! The parade begins at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Ave. and Normal St., proceeds west on University Ave., turns south on 6th Ave., turns left onto Balboa Dr. and ends at Laurel St. – where you’ll find the entrance to the Pride Festival!
Event details.
Annual San Diego Pride Festival
The Pride Festival is San Diego’s largest 2-day event highlighting the best in LGBTQ entertainment, interactive exhibits, cultural presentations, and community resources. The Pride Festival is San Diego’s largest 2-day event highlighting the best in LGBTQ entertainment, interactive exhibits, cultural presentations, and community resources. Kids high school age and younger are free!
Event details.
Light up the Cathedral
You are invited to join LGBTQ Faith Leaders and Faithful. Join Dean Penny Bridges and other Faith Leaders as we gather together, in-person to celebrate our faith and resilience. After the service, the Cathedral will be lit in rainbow colors.
Online: sdpride.org/lightup/
The Pride 5K Run & Walk is always a highlight of Pride Week festivities. Last year, despite the pandemic, more than 1,300 runners and walkers, from around the world, participated and raised $24,000 for our charity partners. All runners and walkers are invited to dress in your best rainbow gear. Every year, funds raised at the San Diego Pride 5K generate significant donations for our charity partners – San Diego Pride and The LGBT Center’s Youth Housing Project
Online: sdpride.org/5k/
The SD Public Library is an integral resource for LGBQT history where you can access videos, maps, books, films and more that showcase the struggle for equal rights in the gay community. For Pride month, the library staff hand-picked a selection of books suited for kids and teens.
