Dear community,
What a year 2025 has been! Together, we showed up, showed out, and made history. From unforgettable events to meaningful community impact, these are the Top 25 moments that defined our year. Let’s take a look back at everything we accomplished together.
1. Ten Years of Light Up the Cathedral
We once again kicked-off San Diego Pride week with the 10th Anniversary of Light Up the Cathedral, LGBTQIA+ Faith Leaders and faithful gathered in person to celebrate our faith and thrive together. Dean Penny Bridges, along with LGBTQIA+ Faith Leaders and Allied Faith Leaders, led an Interfaith Pride Celebration at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral. Following the service, the Cathedral was illuminated in rainbow colors.
2. 50 Years of the Stonewall Rally
We held our annual Spirit of Stonewall Rally to a lively and prideful crowd. San Diego perfectly blends attitude and heart as we highlighted the need for collective unity amidst the torment of our communities at the hands of immigration enforcement. With remarks from trans icon Raquel Willis and local leaders like Earl Gray, we stood unbreakable Pride and unshakeable in our power.
3.Spilling Tea Series with The Center
The LGBT Center and San Diego Pride team up for an exciting roundtable of LGBTQIA+ professionals, covering topics from crisis communications to branding, with case studies and best practices to strengthen communications toolkit.
4.Record Breaking Festival Ticket Sales + Crowd Size
2025 was a record-breaking year for San Diego Pride. With 38,585 tickets sold, we welcomed one of the largest crowds in our organization’s history. This milestone reflects the strength of our community and the continued growth of Pride in San Diego. We are deeply grateful to everyone who showed up and made this year unforgettable.
5. Amplifying LGBTQIA+ Voices through Inclusive Programming
Booking over 200 LGBTQIA+ acts for San Diego Pride is a powerful affirmation of the festival’s commitment to visibility, equity, and community investment. It creates meaningful opportunities for LGBTQIA+ artists across disciplines, amplifies diverse voices and identities, and ensures that Pride remains a celebration rooted in the people it represents. By prioritizing LGBTQIA+ talent at this scale, San Diego Pride strengthens the local and regional arts ecosystem while honoring the movement’s history of advocacy, inclusion, and cultural expression.
6. Black Pride is Queer History
San Diego Black Pride Weekend was a powerful reminder of what’s possible when community and collaboration come together. From dynamic music performances to an unforgettable Legacy Ball, every moment was rooted in joy and connection. This year also marked record-breaking attendance, reflecting the continued growth and impact of San Diego Black Pride.
7. Grand Marshals
2025 was a year where we needed to rally together around the roots of our city. San Diego is born and raised from the efforts of our immigrant community, which is why we chose to uplift these four organizations fighting for all of our rights. Border Angels, Proyecto Trans Latina, Transgenero 2000 and Haitian Bridge Alliance served as our Community Grand Marshalls!
8. Youth Leadership Academy
This year’s Youth Leadership Academy was all about reclamation in a time that feels filled with barriers. We empowered attendees with this years theme: Taking Back Our Right to: Power Access, Joy and Community, while reminding them to continue to create community bonds with one another.
9. Stages
The stages returned with a bold new look and feel, delivering nonstop vibes all weekend. Every stage was packed with enthusiastic crowds throughout the festival. Incredible performances made each moment unforgettable.
10. LGBTQ Regional Round Table Advocacy Initiatives
For the first time, San Diego Pride, The San Diego LGBT Community Center, TransFamily Support Services, and the North County LGBTQ Resource Center have come together in a monthly Regional Roundtable to advance coordinated advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. This collaborative initiative strengthens shared strategies, builds regional solidarity, and amplifies our collective voice across San Diego County.
11. Queer Locals Market
This year’s festival put queer locals first…literally. In our new initiative, about 25 local LGBTQIA+ small businesses filled the Marketplace beneath the rainbow sky, showcasing handmade goods; original art; wellness services; and queer-centered literature. The market created a vibrant, commerce-forward hub that amplified local makers and strengthened com
12. New Board Members
San Diego Pride welcomed four new and returning members to our Board of Directors: Melody Corvalan, Jordan Daniels, Joshua Dunn, Martha Henderson and Paris Quion. These individuals bring deep passion, experience, and dedication to advancing Pride’s mission of fostering pride, equality, and respect for all LGBTQIA+ communities.
13. LGBTQIA+ Cultural District in Hillcrest
Earlier this year, Hillcrest; our recently designated LGBTQ+ Cultural District; celebrated a historic milestone with the groundbreaking of the Pride Promenade. Designed to be a vibrant central hub, this community space will host activities and events that bring us closer together and showcase the heart of our neighborhood. With construction well underway, anticipation is building for the grand opening of this landmark destination in the year ahead.
14. Trans Day Of Empowerment
This year we made major strides with a record breaking number of awardees being granted with the Tracie Jada O’Brien Trans Scholarship and directly supporting queer and trans education. This time honored tradition not only lifts spirits but connects the community in joy and celebration in the fullness of their lives and futures, especially with this years theme of Forging Vibrant Futures.
15. Parade – new route, same high vibes
This year’s parade looked a little different as Hillcrest underwent exciting neighborhood enhancements, but the spirit of Pride was stronger than ever. More than 250,000 attendees lined the streets to cheer on over 200 contingents, each showcasing the vibrancy and resilience of our LGBTQIA+ community. Guided by the dedication of our volunteer leadership, the parade remained a beacon of joy, unity, and visibility; setting the stage for an even brighter celebration in 2026.
16. OATP
the Padres in partnership with San Diego Pride at Out at the Park, hosted at Petco Park! Bring your friends, family, and rainbows to join the San Diego LGBTQIA+ community for a night full of excitement and celebration.
17. Latine Pride 2025
San Diego Pride’s LGBTQIA+ Latine Coalition hosted their 5th annual Latine Pride Celebration in October at Soap Factory, located in Logan Heights! This free, all-ages event celebrated the rich diversity of talent, art, and culture within Socal’s Latine community, and featured ballet folklorico, salsa, international cuisine, and drag. The event underscored the strength and resilience of our vibrant Latine community and gave community members an inclusive space to celebrate their many identities.
18. Strategic Planning Kicks Off
In November, we hosted Community Feedback Sessions to help shape the future of San Diego Pride. As part of this process, San Diego Pride is developing a new strategic plan in partnership with Arboreta Group. Strategic planning offers an opportunity for reflection and meaningful feedback from across our community to help guide the organization forward. Your voice is essential in shaping our work and setting priorities for the next three years.
19. Art of Pride
Art of Pride is a volunteer cooperative of LGBTQIA+ artists and allies centering on the diverse experiences of LGBTQIA+ artists and the artwork they create. From painted murals, showcasing photography, to fabulous installations. Art of Pride
20. Pride Empowerment Academy (PEA)
We concluded our first annual Pride Empowerment Academy cohort. We learned, discussed, and expanded the popular front of our movement. Engaging over 15+ organizations across our County to expand our knowledge and see why every issue is an LGBTQIA+ issue.
21. Volunteers/Leadership
Record-Breaking Volunteer Engagement: We had over 2,500 volunteers register for Pride Week—a 25% increase from last year. Throughout the year, our volunteers contributed more than 13,000 hours of their time.
Our volunteers are a powerful reminder of how deeply our community shows up—and just how impactful showing up can be. If you’re interested in getting more involved, sign up for our volunteer list here. Ready to take the next step? Apply to join our Volunteer Leadership Team to build skills, grow as a leader, and help shape the future of Pride!
22. Accessibility/Disabled Coalition
This year, we strengthened our Accessibility services by partnering with Access Trax to improve mobility access across Pride events. We also hosted joyful Disabled 2SLGBTQIA+ Coalition socials, including a movie day and craft gatherings, creating more spaces for connection, creativity, and community care. Learn more about Accessibility at Pride and our Disabled 2SLGBTQIA+ Coalition here!
23. Art of Pride: Mural
May 4th, we celebrated the unveiling our new mural: “The Liberation Ball”
“The Liberation Ball”, designed and painted by local artists @blue.lotus.artpeace and @german_rojas.art, is a piece that celebrates pride, liberation, diversity, joy, and local history, featuring key moments of San Diego’s LGBTQIA+ history. With the help of Lambda Archives, we sourced images from past Pride events to showcase the beauty of our diverse community.
24. Community Grants- Philanthropy highlights
Through our CY2026 Community Grants program, San Diego Pride invested over $70,000 in 26 local and global organizations advancing equity, safety, healing, and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ communities. These grants were awarded through a community-led process, reviewed by volunteer leaders who ensure funding reflects lived experience and community needs. Your support sustains our year-round programs for youth, artists, and advocates, empowers LGBTQIA+ philanthropy, and strengthens grassroots movements.
25. Stonewall Awardees
Every year, San Diego Pride recognizes members of the community for their contributions to our local community and the movement at-large. From Champion of Pride to our most Inspirational Relationships, we loved uplifting those who are doing the work to counteract anti-LGBTQIA+ narratives. This year, we launched our inaugural Julia Legaspi Trans Leadership Award in honor of the late Julia Legaspi. To read the full list of awardees.
And just like that, the 2025 season comes to a close. As we reflect on an incredible year, San Diego Pride remains deeply committed to our mission and community. We’re already looking ahead to 2026 with excitement, intention, and purpose. Thank you for being part of the journey as we continue building a more joyful, inclusive future together.
With Pride,
San Diego Pride
San Diego Pride raises funds primarily through festival ticket and beverage sales, and through sponsorships, and exhibitor fees. These funds support San Diego Pride’s community philanthropy which has distributed more than $2.5 million in advancement of its mission to foster pride, equality, and respect for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities locally, nationally, and globally.
