San Diego Pride

San Diego Pride is the ultimate celebration—the vibes are upbeat and loving; the people are decked out in swaths of color, and there is a palpable sense of harmony and togetherness. The clubs, bars and streets hum with revelry; flags representing all facets of the community wave; feather boas and glitter are the accessories du jour, and everyone is welcome.

The multi-day event in July boasts a full schedule of events including the Spirit of Stonewall Rally, She Fest, Pride 5k Run, Pride of Hillcrest Block Party, a fabulous mile-long parade through Hillcrest, and a raucous two-day festival in Balboa Park. More than 250,000 attendees gather to watch the parade, which features colorful floats, prominent members of the community, activist groups, politicians, military, police and firefighters, the beloved Dykes on Bikes, and much more. Once the parade ends, satellite parties take place all around town. The official celebration is the two-day festival, where multiple stages carry acts like En Vogue, TLC, and 100+ other performances from bands to DJs to solo artists. Vendors, exhibits, cultural presentations, and tasty food options abound, and more than 40,000 people join as one to celebrate.

She Fest kicks off Pride week and is a woman-centered event that celebrates and supports the talents and contributions of women within the LGBTQ+ and larger San Diego communities. Another great time is the Pride of Hillcrest Block Party. Everyone gets in the spirit with music and dancing, drag performances, a huge beer garden, VIP lounges, food trucks, and vendors.

At San Diego Pride, love wins, and the LGBQT+ community shows family and friends how to celebrate.

More Annual LGBTQ+ Events

In addition to the annual Pride celebration, San Diego offers a variety of exciting LGBTQ+ community events throughout the year.

Nightmare on Normal Street

During Halloween, Hillcrest comes back from the dead during Nightmare on Normal Street. This annual trick-or-treat bash is the traditional starting place for the LGBTQ+ community's Halloween festivities and features a beer garden, food, lots of revelry, and an outrageous costume contest for cash prizes.

Hillcrest Mardi Gras

Every winter, food, beer, entertainment, and beads galore are part of the festive Hillcrest Mardi Gras. Outrageous Mardi Gras masks and costumes rule, as partygoers celebrate Fat Tuesday with one last dose of fun-filled "sin."

FilmOut San Diego

During spring's FilmOut San Diego, acclaimed LGBTQ+ filmmakers bring cutting-edge cinema to the community with movies, panel discussions, and festive parties.

Red Dress Party San Diego

The Red Dress Party San Diego in September is a whimsical fundraising event where attendees are required to wear a red dress, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation. The red dress event serves as a powerful sign of compassion and solidarity for those affected by HIV/AIDS and is a way to unite the crowd in one radiant theme.

Taste of Hillcrest

The annual Taste of Hillcrest gives foodies a chance to sample signature dishes from many of Hillcrest's fantastic restaurants. From quaint cafes to French- and Italian-style bistros to five-star dining delights, Taste of Hillcrest is a popular self-guided walking tour through the neighborhood's culinary offerings.

CityFest

Held in August, CityFest is the ultimate summer art and music festival that takes over 5th Avenue, one of the main streets in Hillcrest. This annual celebration of community spirit features live bands, electric dance music DJ's, arts, crafts, and food that attracts more than 150,000 locals and visitors to party, mingle and make new friends.

Hillcrest Certified Farmers Market

Every Sunday, an eclectic crowd of neighborhood musicians, artists and residents gather at the Hillcrest Certified Farmers Market, where they enjoy locally grown produce, flowers, artisanal treats, international food stalls with prepared and hot food items, arts and crafts, clothing, housewares, and more.

Pride Night: Out at the Park

Every season, the San Diego Padres host Pride Night: Out at the Park in the team's Petco Park baseball stadium in downtown. Fans show their pride and join San Diego's LGBTQ+ community for a game of exciting major league baseball. As a special treat, the national anthem is often performed by the San Diego Gay Men's Chorus, San Diego Women's Chorus, and staff from San Diego Pride and San Diego Padres.