Go San Diego

San Diego's Attraction Card

  • Go San Diego
  • San Diego Attractions
    • San Diego Tours
    • San Diego Zoo
    • San Diego Zoo Safari Park
    • Legoland California
    • Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
    • Old Town Trolley Tours
    • SeaWorld San Diego
    • More…
  • San Diego Hotels
    • Tower23, Pacific Beach
    • The US Grant
    • Sofia Hotel, San Diego
    • The Keating Hotel, San Diego
    • Beach Haven Inn, San Diego
    • More…
  • San Diego Restaurants
    • George’s at the Cove
    • Puesto at the Headquarters
    • Grant Grill
    • More…
  • Neighborhoods
    • The Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego
    • La Jolla
    • Pacific Beach San Diego
    • Mission Beach San Diego
    • Coronado Island
    • East Village San Diego
    • Marina District San Diego
    • Little Italy San Diego
    • More…
  • Beaches
    • Pacific Beach
    • Mission Beach
    • La Jolla Shores Beach
    • Coronado Central Beach
  • Tourist Passes
    • Go San Diego Pass
    • San Diego Explorer Pass
    • San Diego Pass Comparisons
  • Parks
  • Blog

Everything You Need to Know about San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade and Music Festival

It’s that time of year again, the weekend many of us have been patiently waiting for, the annual San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade and Music Festival. Not only is this one of the largest events in San Diego it is also one of the largest Pride celebrations in the country drawing over 100,000 people each year. This year’s theme, Allied in Action: United for Justice, could not have come at a better time. With so much uncertainty in the world, this year’s San Diego Pride brings people together to celebrate life, love, peace, and understanding, as it does every year. To make navigating Pride weekend a little easier and to ensure you don’t miss a thing we’ve made a Pride Guide of everything you need to know.

The Friday Night Kickoff: SD Pride 2017

Friday, July 14th is the official start of San Diego Pride weekend. It begins with the annual Spirit of Stonewall rally that takes place at the Hillcrest Pride Flag on University Avenue. This opening ceremony tradition started at San Diego Pride in 1975 to pay homage to the patrons of Stonewall Inn who on June, 28th 1969 said, No more to police harassment in New York. Their courage helped pave the way for equality for the LGBT community.

During this event, local LBGTQ San Diegans who have made outstanding contributions to leadership, activism, and fundraising for their community are honored. Once the ceremony is completed, the rainbow flag is raised up the 216-foot flagpole, and the weekend festivities officially begin.

In connection with the Stonewall Rally, the 6th annual Hillcrest Block Party is also on Friday night beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 11 p.m. This is a 21 and up event with all proceeds from the benefit going to Pride Plaza. This year the block party will feature the March for Trans Pride, Spirit of Stonewall Rally, Hillcrest Pride Flag raising, luminescent carnival rides, Gogo dancers, local Hillcrest DJ’s, and a surprise headliner. There will be two giant bars, gourmet food vendors, bottle service, a VIP area, and an official after-party at Rich’s San Diego Night Club.

Advanced General Admission Tickets: $20 and Advanced VIP Tickets: $40

Saturday & Sunday San Diego Pride Events

Pride runners line up for the annual Pride 5K that begins and ends at University Avenue and Center Street. This is a USA Track & Field sanctioned and certified 5K event. After gear check, the race starts at 9:30 a.m. Runners are provided with disposable ChronoTrack UHF RFID tags that record their true time. The flat course runs along the parade route.

The signature event is most certainly the annual Pride Parade on Saturday starting at 11 a.m. The parade leaves from the Hillcrest Pride Flag at the intersection of University Avenue and Normal Street and covers 1.1 miles; it heads west on University Avenue, turns south onto 6th Avenue, and then turns left onto Balboa Drive moving into Balboa Park and ending at Quince Drive where the celebration continues.

This year’s Pride Music Festival will have over 200 musicians, comedians, bands, dancers, art exhibits, vendors, food, and cultural presentations as well as education, support, and health services. Here are some of the things you will find at San Diego Pride.

  • Art of Pride, beautiful displays of artwork from local LGBTQ artists.
  • Children’s Garden, a place for children 13 and under to participate in fun activities while enjoying snow cones, popcorn, and other snacks.
  • Get Tested Cabana, offering free HIV testing.
  • An interactive wood sculpture inspired by the double helix to demonstrate the reflective journey throughout life.
  • Lamda Archives, a look back on LGBTQ history.
  • Medical Tent, providing first aid, ice packs, and sunscreen.
  • Rainbow Wellness, a health and wellness area for LGBTQ providing resources and services for creative healing activities.
  • Senior Cool Zone, shady areas for people over 55 to cool off.
  • The Sobriety Village, providing 12-step meetings, coffee, and energy drinks.
  • T Spot, a place where transgender, intersex, and gender-queer communities educate others about gender identity and provide resources while people swap clothes to break down barriers.
  • Youth Zone, a place for LBGTQ youths to come together with their friends and make new friends while also gaining youth centered resources.
  • Free shuttle from the parking lot to the festival.
  • Uber Zone, a convenient pick up and drop off area with awaiting Uber drivers.
  • Beverage Gardens, offering delectable cocktails, frothy beers, and wines.

San Diego Pride’s Entertainment Zones

There are five entertainment zones at this year’s Pride, the best summer dance party with over 200 entertainers. Below we’ve listed them in order starting from the entrance to the festival at Laurel Street and Balboa Avenue and ending at Mundo Latino.

  • Athlete Alley – Join in the fun with LGBTQ’s athletic organizations to play some active sports like volleyball or low-key games like cornhole.
  • The Stonewall Main Stage – This is the Music Fest’s centerpiece where you can watch headliners like En Vogue and Tinashe while relaxing in the beer gardens or Harrah’s Resort VIP lounge.
  • The Movement – This Hip Hop stage is where you can enjoy listening to top-notch DJ’s spinning the hottest Hip Hop, R&B, and soul music, equipped with its own dance floor and beverage garden.
  • Euphoria Dance Garden – Here’s where the house music is with both local acts and international DJs on hand. Entertainment here is sponsored by SONY, you won’t want to miss it!
  • Mundo Latino – Emerging artists perform rock, folkloric dance music, and more in this Latin oasis. The artist line-up begins at noon Saturday, playing until 10 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

San Diego Pride: Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How Much

Who: The loving people of San Diego who want to have a great time celebrating the LGBTQ community.

What: San Diego Pride Parade 2017 – Allied in Action: United For Justice

When: Friday July 14th, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday, July 15th, 12 p.m. (following the parade) to 10 p.m., and Sunday, July 16th, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Where: Marston Point, Balboa Park at Laurel Street and 6th Avenue.

Why: Because love is love, and we’re all in this life together.

How Much: $20 Weekend Pass (Pre-Event), $25 Weekend Pass (Day of or at the Festival Gates), Ages 14 and under (Free), and VIP Admission $120 pre-purchase, $150 day of purchase, (includes 4 free drinks a day, catered food, and VIP area access).

 

  • 0share
  • Facebook0
  • Twitter0
  • Pinterest0

Filed Under: Events

Related Blog Posts

  • The Top 6 Events You Won’t Want to Miss This Summer in San Diego
  • San Diego Beer Week, Festivals, and Events: November 2017
  • SANDiego’s 6th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition is Labor Day Weekend
  • 6 Fun-Loving Events Spice up Fall in San Diego
  • Father’s Day: 25 Things to Do with Dad in San Diego
  • San Diego Jazz Fest: November 26-30, 2014
  • Del Mar Racing – New Bing Crosby Season
  • San Diego Restaurant Week

Recent Go San Diego Posts

  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • Eight Things to Do in San Diego in Spring
  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • You’re about to Discover SeaWorld San Diego’s Five Rip-Roaring Roller Coasters!
  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • 8 of the Best Breakfast Spots in San Diego
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • 6 Best Craft Beer Breweries in San Diego
  • 8 San Diego Tours by Land or by Sea

Things to Do

  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • You’re about to Discover SeaWorld San Diego’s Five Rip-Roaring Roller Coasters!
  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego

San Diego Hotels

  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • Surprise Your Valentine with a Stay at One of These Romantic San Diego Hotels
  • SANDiego’s 6th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition is Labor Day Weekend
  • Love and Romance in San Diego

San Diego Parks

  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • 15 Kid-friendly Things to Do in San Diego This Summer
  • Chicano Park: From Embattled, Undeveloped Land to National Historic Landmark
  • Desert in Bloom: Anza-Borrego Wild Flowers

Beaches

  • North to South: The 5 Best Places to Surf in San Diego County
  • San Diego Dog Beaches: Take Your Pup to the Surf and Sand

Cheap and Free

  • 5 of San Diego’s Coolest Farmers Markets
  • Hike Like a Local: 9 Spectacular Hiking Trails in San Diego
  • Don’t Let the Budget Stop the Fun: 10 Things to Do in San Diego under $10
  • How to Visit San Diego’s Aquatica for FREE
  • Get Free Entry 10 San Diego Museums on an Old Town Trolley Tour

Events

  • The Top 6 Events You Won’t Want to Miss This Summer in San Diego
  • San Diego Beer Week, Festivals, and Events: November 2017
  • SANDiego’s 6th Annual Sand Sculpting Competition is Labor Day Weekend
  • Everything You Need to Know about San Diego LGBTQ Pride Parade and Music Festival
  • 6 Fun-Loving Events Spice up Fall in San Diego

Restaurants

  • 8 of the Best Breakfast Spots in San Diego
  • 6 Best Craft Beer Breweries in San Diego
  • 8 San Diego Restaurants That Continue to Stand the Test of Time
  • 21 Favorites for Al Fresco Dining in San Diego
  • Solo in San Diego: Where to Eat, Sleep, and Hang

Tourist Attractions

  • San Diego for First-Time Visitors
  • San Diego on a Rainy Day
  • Eight Things to Do in San Diego in Spring
  • February is Museum Month in San Diego
  • The Holidays at San Diego’s Five Biggest Attractions

Museums

  • February is Museum Month in San Diego
  • Science for Everyone at Fleet Science Center

Trips

  • The Ultimate Guide to Whale Watching in San Diego
  • 3 San Diego Ski & Snowboard Day Trips Where ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’
  • Desert in Bloom: Anza-Borrego Wild Flowers
  • Explore 7 San Diego Seaside Communities by Coaster
  • 7 Day Trips from San Diego

Historic Places

  • Hotel del Coronado from Vision to National Historic Landmark
  • Explore San Diego’s Military History & Heritage This Memorial Day
  • 5 Top Historic Sites in San Diego
  • Chicano Park: From Embattled, Undeveloped Land to National Historic Landmark

Holidays

  • 10 Thanksgiving Dinners to be Grateful for in San Diego
  • Wildlife Camps for Kids during the Holidays
  • A Complete Guide to the Holidays in San Diego
  • Explore San Diego’s Military History & Heritage This Memorial Day
  • The Complete Guide to New Year’s Eve in San Diego

Copyright © 2023 · GoSanDiego.com · Contact Us · Privacy and Cookie Policy