There’s SO much going on at Pride this year that we’ve made a list of the top 30 things to do in San Diego for Pride! We pride ourselves on celebrating love, compassion, and happiness within the community while honoring our legendary community members at the forefront of our fight. Let’s show the world how we love, unite and PERSIST with pride.
1. She FestShe Fest is a women-centered event that celebrates the contributions of women to our local and LGBT communities. She Fest wants everyone to feel supported, included and represented. So come on out and have a wonderful time!
Date & Time: Saturday, July 7, 2018, 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Location: North Park Community Park, 4044 Idaho St, San Diego, CA 92104
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
2. Get SocialTake a photo, take a video and share your community across all platforms. Don’t forget to hashtag #SDPride
Follow us on our social media below:
Snapchat: sdpride365
Instagram: sandiegopride
Facebook: sandiegolgbtpride
Twitter: sandiegopride
3. Food Trucks and DrinksYou’re sure to work up an appetite with all the celebrating you’ll be doing, and Pride has got you covered!
Stop by a food truck or any of our food vendors & fuel up all weekend! You can also drop into any of our beverage gardens and cool down with a refreshing drink!
4. Movement Stage!Move that body! Listen to hip hop, rap, and R&B with your family & friends and dance the weekend away at the movement stage.
The movement stage is always packed and they keep the party going all weekend long! Check out the website to see who is set to perform with artists like LE1F, HYM, and many more.
Learn more about the performers and movement schedule here.
5. Pride World ForumLGBTQI leaders from different parts of the world will participate in a panel discussion as attendees learn about their work and human rights issues around the globe. Come out and support your fellow community members as they share their experiences from their respective areas.
Date & Time: Sunday July 15 2018, 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
Location: San Diego World History Center, 1649 El Prado, Ste 3, San Diego, California 92101
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
6. Get TestedTake the time to get tested. Knowing your status is a great preventative method of transmitting HIV.
There’s always free testing at the festival, so make sure you get a chance to stop by and get tested.
See the entire map here.
7. VolunteerIt’s never too late to volunteer with SD Pride.
Some perks of volunteering include the following: getting a cool tee, entering the festival for free, and having a blast servicing the community you are a part of. Also, there’s a volunteer appreciation party after Pride is over!
Become a volunteer here.
That’s right, y’all! Our headlining performers for San Diego Pride’s mainstage are JoJo and TLC!
Don’t miss out on their mainstage performances:
JoJo: Saturday, July 14, 8:00pm-9:00pm
TLC: Sunday, July 15, 8:00pm-9:00pm
Learn more about the mainstage lineup and schedule here.
9. Rock Your PrideGet festive! Dress fun, crazy, fresh, and be free!
Celebrate pride in being authentically you and wear whatever you want with no judgment. Rainbows and glitter are highly encouraged!
#PersistWithPride
10. Children’s GardenCalling all LGBTQ families! Pride Festival is a family-friendly event & we have a space exclusively for kids!
Join the Children’s garden in an afternoon filled with entertainment for all ages, arts and crafts, and even a magician!
Invite your friends on Facebook here!
11. Get Your Tickets OnlineCome out and enjoy the festival with all your buddies and friends! It makes your life so much easier to purchase tickets online.
You can avoid waiting in line and save time if you are buying your tickets the day of. Get your tickets today!
Purchase tickets here.
12. Military ContingentThe military contingent is composed of active duty and veteran service members marching proudly in the parade!
Come out, show some love, and keep an eye out for the contingent, so make sure you cheer them on for everything they do!
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
13. Light Up The CathedralKick off Pride with an Interfaith Pride Celebration. Connect with LGBT-affirming organizations and churches as we come together to light up St. Paul’s Cathedral in rainbow colors.
Date & Time: Wednesday, July 11, 2018, at 7:00 pm
Location: St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral (2728 Sixth Avenue).
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
14. NoH8Show you that stand for #NOH8 and get an official NOH8 picture taken by Adam Bouska himself! Make sure to pack a white shirt, drop by the Nissan booth inside the festival, and you’ll be all set for your own photoshoot!
Date & Time: Saturday, July 14, 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Location: The Nissan Booth at the Festival
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
15. Youth ZoneThe youth zone is an area made by youth, exclusive for middle-school and high school aged youth! Connect to resources and make new friends!
Let’s support our queer youth!
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
Experience drag like you never have before and kick off your weekend festivities with Drag me to the Del. Don’t miss out on a legendary cast featuring Rupaul’s drag race Season 5 and All stars 2 contestant, Alyssa Edwards and RuPaul’s Drag University’s Lady Bunny, and many more. So get up and join us for a night of food, drinks, entertainment, and show love to your fellow squirrel friends.
Date & Time: July 12, 2018, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Location: Hotel Del Coronado, 1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, California 92118
Invite your friends on Facebook here!
17. Become a VIP!Upgrade yourself by becoming a VIP!
VIPs get to hang out in the VIP lounge complete with catered food and 4 hosted drinks per day! Enjoy upgraded restroom facilities, front of the line privileges into any beverage garden, and a separate VIP entrance!
Purchase VIP tickets here.
18. Spirit of Stonewall RallyJoin San Diego pride at the Spirit of Stonewall rally which honors and commemorates those who have paved the way for our community, nationally and locally. Celebrate our community with pride and see keynote speaker, and the first transgender person elected to a state office, Virginia delegate Danica Roem.
Date & Time: Friday, July 13, 2018, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location: Hillcrest Pride Flag, University Ave and Normal St., San Diego, CA 92103
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
19. Mundo LatinoShimmy your body on over to the Mundo Latino stage and dance around with artists like Graciela Beltran, Blake G, and many more.
Check out the website to see who is set to line up at the Mundo Latino stage.
Learn more about the performer schedule here.
20. Pride Block PartyAfter the rally, stay for the Hillcrest Block Party which is free and open to the public this year! Celebrate Pride under the Hillcrest Pride flag and watch live entertainers like Detox, Kalorie Karbdashian, and Miss Vaaaaaanjie!
Date & Time: July 13, 2018, 2:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Location: Hillcrest Pride Flag, 1500 University Ave, San Diego, CA 92103
Invite your friends on Facebook here!
21. Youth Marching BandMake sure to watch out for the youth marching band and cheer them on!
This marching band is comprised of LGBTQIA youth from throughout the region and it’s always a crowd favorite.
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
22. Make a SignSpeak your mind and make us a sign! Parade marchers and attendees are welcome to make signs for issues and topics that matter to them!
Show everyone that you’re a proud supporter of the LGBTQ community! #LoveIsLove #ProudAlly #PersistWithPride
Run the parade route before it begins! You can register till the day of, and share the experience with fellow community members in kicking off the annual Pride Parade.
Date & Time: Saturday, July 14, 9:30 AM
Location: Race start and Finish: University Ave at Centre St
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
24. UtopiaJust outside of the festival is the Utopia: Health & Gender Oasis! Connect to community resources, take a selfie under the rainbow arches, and even enjoy yoga & other self-care events! This event is free and open to the public!
Invite your friends on Facebook here.
25. Get here (Uber, Shuttle, Bike)!Getting here can be a struggle with so many of our friends trying to do the same! Make it easy on yourself by finding other, less stressful options!
Bike to the parade and festival and leave your bike securely with the bike corral or Uber your way down here! There’s also a free parking lot complete with a free shuttle to get you to the parade and festival safely!
Learn more here.
26. LGBTQ+SDDrop by the San Diego History Center to see their latest exhibition: LGBTQ+San Diego: Stories of Struggles and Triumphs.
Visitors will hear from those in the LGBTQ+ region about the struggles to overcome persecution, the battle with AIDS, bullying, and intolerance, and the power of the community. Learn your history during Pride!
Learn more here.
27. The Leather Realm (18+)The Leather Realm is open to anyone over the age of 18 to provide visibility and awareness of the BDSM, leather, and fetish communities.
Available in the Leather Realm are live demonstrations, workshops, and community organizations in place to help further the education of these communities.
See the entire map here.
28. Burner VillageHop on down to Burner village and explore interactive art in this area where you can chill out to music, and escape to a creative and scenic space for a more liberating feeling.
See the entire map here.
29. ProclamationThe 45th annual proclamation is set to take place Tuesday, July 10 where San Diego’s own City Council commemorates and recognizes the history of San Diego’s LGBT community and our community’s activism presented through years past and present.
Date & Time: Tuesday, July 10, 2018, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Location: 202 C St, San Diego, CA 92101, USA
30. Pride Merch!Get your SD Pride merch! You better stop by the custom heat press station and snatch up your very own SD Pride hat, daaahling.
We’ve got pins, tanks and so much more exclusively at the festival.
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.
