Top 25

With so many things to do at Pride, we’ve created the top 25 (+1) things to do during San Diego Pride! It’s a weekend celebrating love & happiness within our LGBT community and honoring our past. Bring your family and friends as we come together as a community to celebrate how PRIDE unites the world!

1. Military Contingent

Now a noted tradition at the San Diego Pride Parade, watch for the military contingent, which includes active duty and veteran service members. Be sure to cheer them on at the parade when the contingent passes by!

When: Saturday, July 16 at 11AM
Where: San Diego Pride Parade

For more information, click here.
Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

2. Youth Marching Band

What’s a parade without a marching band? Over 200 Southern California youth make up the Pride Youth Marching Band, which will perform down the San Diego Pride Parade route. Be entertained by this talented group of musical youth!

When: Saturday, July 16 at 11AM
Where: San Diego Pride Parade

For more information, click here.
Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

3. Pride resources: Free Rainbow Zone

Check out this new free addition to San Diego Pride to connect with community resources, food, music, and information! The Free Rainbow Zone will be located just outside the Pride Music Festival and include many longtime attractions of the San Diego Pride Festival, including Art of Pride, Lambda Archives history area, Senior Cool Zone, Youth Zone by Trevor Project, Pride Family Picnic by The Center’s Family Services, LGBT Black Coalition, South Bay Pride, ShePower – Queer women’s health area by the Lesbian Wellness Project, ongoing sobriety support by Live & Let Live Alano Club, 211 San Diego & County Resources, HIV testing, music all day and more! And no ticket is needed – this area is completely free and open to everyone! 

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

Invite your friends on Facebook here!

4. Motorcycles

It wouldn’t be a Pride parade without motorcycles – and lots of them! Listen for the revving of the engines, and watch the Motorcycle Contingent cruise by. Ride a motorcycle and want to be a part of the contingent? Registration is just $25.

When: Saturday, July 16 at 11AM
Where: San Diego Pride Parade

For more information, click here.
Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

5. Give us a sign (make a sign)

Show your Pride by making a sign! Posters, signs, and other statements of support are always appreciated along the parade route!

 

 

 

 

 

6. Rally

Pride celebrations everywhere trace their heritage to the evening of June 28, 1969, when patrons of the Stonewall Inn in New York City said “No more!” to police harassment. That protest has grown to annual events held in major cities throughout the world. In San Diego, our first rally was held in 1975. San Diego Pride’s Spirit of Stonewall Rally is a time to recognize and honor leaders who are working hard to preserve our gains and meet the many challenges still facing our community. Come join us on Friday, July 15, as cheering crowds and energetic speakers kick off San Diego Pride Weekend!

When: Saturday, July 15 at 6PM
Where: Marston Pt. (Balboa Dr. & 8th Dr.)

For more information, click here.
Invite your friends on Facebook here!

7. Block Party

The Pride of Hillcrest Block Party kicks off Pride weekend in the heart of Hillcrest! This event for those 21 years and older includes food, drinks, carnival rides, and lots of DJs, go-gos, and dancing! 

When: Friday, July 15th from 6PM – 11PM
Where: Hillcrest Pride Flag, Normal St & University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103

For more information, click here.
Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

8.Kesha

You read that right! Kesha will headline this year’s San Diego Pride Music Festival. Catch her on Saturday night at the main stage!

When: Saturday, July 16 at 7:55PM
Where: San Diego Pride Music Festival

For more information, click here.
Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

 

9. VIP or bust!

The best way to experience the San Diego Pride Music Festival is to do it VIP style! This year’s festival has a VIP ticket option, which includes a weekend pass, VIP entrance, VIP lounge, VIP restrooms, catered food, and 4 hosted drinks each day. Tickets and VIP passes are sold here.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

10. Food Trucks

With all the celebrating that will go on throughout the weekend, one has to eat! Food trucks will be available in the Free Rainbow Zone serving up all sorts of deliciousness all weekend long.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

 

11. Selfie Pride #SDPRIDE

Take lots of selfies throughout the weekend to show everyone what an amazing time you’re having at San Diego Pride! Be sure to use the hashtag #SDPRIDE for all your social media posts.

Facebook: Click here
Twitter: @SanDiegoPride
Instagram: @sandiegopride
Snapchat: sdpride365

 

 

12. Get tested

Knowing your HIV status is an important way to help us end new transmissions of the virus. Free HIV testing is always available at San Diego Pride!

 

 

 

 

 

13. Register to Vote

There’s a lot at stake this election season, so make sure you are able to vote in November by registering (or updating your registration)! Voter registration will be available at the San Diego Pride Music Festival.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

 

 

 

14. Dance in the open

San Diego has some of the most beautiful weather in the world, and dancing out in the open in the middle of the summer is one of the best things to do at San Diego Pride. From the Pride of Hillcrest Block Party, to the San Diego Pride Music Festival stages, there’s lots of room to dance!

15. Hold the GIANT Flag – parade

It’s tradition to close out the San Diego Pride Parade with the giant rainbow flag! As always, everyone is welcome to join in and help carry the flag to the San Diego Pride Music Festival, and this year, the flag will have special significance in honor of the victims of the Orlando shooting. Bring your friends, family, and signs of support and join in!

16. Gay hair don’t care (rainbow hair styles)

Get creative! Show off your Pride with a rainbow hairstyle, or whatever other colorful ideas you have. Pride is a celebration of our uniqueness so show it off!

 

 

 

 

 

17. Bring the kids – Pride family picnic area

Family Services at The Center will host the Pride Family Picnic Area within the Free Rainbow Zone. Bring the kids, and have a fun day at the park!

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

 

18. Bounce Hip-Hop area

Celebrate diversity under San Diego’s amazing sky at five phenomenal stages over two days with more than 100 entertainers and thousands of your closest friends. Here at The Movement Hip-Hop Stage, our top notch DJs will be spinning the hottest sounds from Hip-Hop, Soul and R&B. With its own dance floor and beverage garden, this stage will keep you moving and in the zone!

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

Invite your friends on Facebook here!

19. Get your latin on – stage

It’s musica Latina en español with some of the best emerging artists in live rock, folkloric dancing, y más. Enjoy the musical flavors with a Latin flair. Be a part of the Latino community at Mundo Latino!

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

20. Skip the ticket line – buy online

Why wait in line? Buy your Pride Music Festival tickets now online. Buy tickets here.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

 

21. Get your history – lambda

The San Diego region has an incredibly diverse LGBT history and it’s important to share it!  Stop by the Lambda Archives history booth at the Free Rainbow Zone on Saturday and Sunday to learn more about the fascinating stories that have helped shape our community to what it is today.

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17, 2016
Time: Saturday 11 am – 10pm; Sunday 11 am – 8 pm
Location: Marston Pt., Balboa Park (6th Ave. & Laurel St.)

Invite your friends on Facebook here!

 

22. Run for it! 5K

The annual Pride 5K is a healthy way to start Pride weekend. The 5K race starts and finishes at University Avenue and Centre Street and features gear check, after-race snacks, high-quality tech t-shirts, ChronoTrack disposable UHF RFID tags to record your time, a fast flat course along the parade, and a USAT& sanctioned and certified 5K course.

When: Saturday, July 16 at 9:30AM
Race Start and Finish: University Avenue at Centre Street

For more information, click here.
Invite your friends on Facebook here!

23. Show your True Colors – rainbow outfit

Get decked out in everything rainbow! Rainbow socks, ties, tutus, accessories and more! Show your Pride!

 

 

 

 

 

 

24. Bud Contest

San Diego Pride is excited to offer the “Ultimate Bud Light Party” experience at San Diego Pride this year! You and a friend will be able to celebrate equality like a true ULTRA VIP at the 2016 San Diego Pride Parade and Festival. To enter the sweepstakes and get more info, click here.

 

 

 

 

25. Uber don’t drive

San Diego Pride weekend is a fun celebration, and for many, includes lots of adult beverages. Celebrate safely and catch a ride using the Uber app. Uber is the official rideshare partner for San Diego Pride. Use code SDPRIDE16.

More info and sign-up is here.

 

 

 

(+ 1)  Know your Naughty side – check out the leather realm

The San Diego Leather Realm is a large, age-restricted area of The San Diego Pride Music Festival. The Leather Realm opens its doors for education and fun, to provide visibility, awareness and communication of Safe, Sane and Consensual play, Leather, BDSM, Fetish, and Kink Life Styles through hands-on demonstration areas, workshops, community organizations, and alternative-lifestyle friendly businesses.