California, USA the Golden State has long been at the forefront of LGBTQ+ progress. The Castro District in San Francisco was one of the first gay neighbourhoods in the US and the city of West Hollywood was officially incorporated in 1984 with an openly gay majority city council. In California, the LGBTQI+ community is woven into the very fabric of the state’s identity. But June annually marks the beginning of a season of Pride events.
West Hollywood: 40 Days of Pride
The annual WeHo Pride 2025 starts on Harvey Milk Day in May for 40 Days of Pride, featuring events like theWeHo Pride Parade, Dyke March and WeHo Pride Arts Festival. Milk was a gay rights activist who was assassinated in 1978. WeHo Pride Arts Festival also showcases queer voices through theatre, poetry, dance and film and the Friday Night at OUTLOUD music festival takes place at West Hollywood
Park.
www.wehopride.com
www.wehopride.com
www.wehopride.com
Six California cities celebrating Pride
San Luis Obispo: Get Behind Trans Pride Luis Obispo County (SLO CAL) stages LGBTQ+ Pride events throughout May and June, with the annual SLO Pridefest weekend and Trans Pride in the Park, celebrating the transgender community with performances, community resources and opportunities for connection.
www.visitslo.com
www.galacc.org
Sonoma County: Film Festivals and Pool Parties. Sonoma starts Pride Month with the annual Sonoma County Pride Parade in downtown Santa Rosa with colourful floats.
San Francisco: Annual Pride Celebrations San Francisco’s Pride annual celebration is one of the largest in the world, taking place over the weekend of 27 and 28 June 2026. The city’s streets come alive with the San Francisco Pride Parade on Sunday 29 June 2025, with floats, community groups and performers championing LGBTQ+ rights and visibility. The weekend also includes a Civic Center festival featuring music, dance, art and food from across the community. Just south of the city, Filoli Historic House & Garden hosts a smaller Pride Weekend (14 and 15 June 2025) with floral displays, performances and family-friendly events in ascenic garden setting.
https://sfpride.org
Oakland: Celebrate Black Pride The city of Oakland continues to be a beacon of LGBTQ+ culture and activism in the Bay Area. In June, Oakland also celebrates its Black LGBTQ+ community with the Oakland Black Pride Festival. Oakland Pride Parade and Festival takes place in September, featuring multiple stages with epic performances as well as a Family & Children’s Garden offering fun, inclusive activities for kids.
www.oaklandblackpride.com
www.oaklandpride.org
www.sdpride.org
