SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Despite most cities celebrating Pride Month during June, San Diego takes a different approach—celebrating Pride in July.
Pride Month marches, parades and other celebrations stem from the Stonewall Riots, which occurred on June 28, 1969. San Diego Pride events, including its parade, take place in July rather than the week of the Stonewall Riots.
According to San Diego Pride, LGBTQ+ organizations were limited when Pride Month events all overlapped. During San Diego’s 1990 June Pride parade, the festival site at the Old Naval Hospital was “decimated” by a storm.
Handmade signs were destroyed, and tents had to be set up again, it rained all night and during the morning, according to San Diego Pride. While the rain settled moments before the event started and organizers were able to continue the celebration, fewer people joined than the year prior.
To avoid “June Gloom,” San Diego Pride decided to kick off its celebrations in July.
“Pride organizers began to talk about how we could better coordinate our events and in turn better serve our communities,” the San Diego Pride website states. “In 1990 San Diego Pride was nearly rained out, so the decision was made to leave ‘June gloom’ behind for the warmer and sunnier month of July.”
San Diego’s 2026 Pride Month festivities are around the corner. On Friday, county officials raised the Pride flag at the county administrative building.
San Diego Pride announced Tuesday, March 30, 2021, that its biggest July celebrations will be virtual for the second year in a row. (Adobe Stock image)
“Pride is, at its heart, a celebration of self-love, courage and community,” County Supervisor Monica Montgomery Steppe said at the flag raising. “Pride is a declaration that our LGBTQIA+ community belongs, in our families, our neighborhoods, our workspaces and in every other corner of San Diego County.”
With an array of events to choose from, here is how to celebrate Pride in America’s Finest City:
“San Diego Pride Dyke March” — July 11
The first event of the lineup, the “San Diego Pride Dyke March” will start San Diego Pride Week. The march begins at 11 a.m. and is located at University Ave (Mo’s to Gossip Grill).
“Returning at a time when LGBTQIA+ communities are facing renewed attacks on our rights, healthcare, and freedom of expression, this event creates space to gather in collective power and unapologetic community,” the San Diego Pride website states.
Light up the Cathedral — July 15
Light up the Cathedral Pride event at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. (KSWB)
Hosted by Interim Dean Allisyn Thomas and LGBTQ+ faith leaders, this is an interfaith community Pride event and service located at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral at 7 p.m. The Cathedral will also be lit with Pride colors after the service.
Spirit of Stonewall Rally — July 17
Located at 535 Robinson Ave, the Spirit of Stonewall Rally honors leaders who advocate for equality and the LGBTQ+ community. The event begins at 6 p.m.
This year’s keynote speaker is Actor Hailie Sahar, transgender lead actor from Pose. She is also the first transgender actor to be in two television shows at the same time.
Other speakers include J’nyka Faulkner, Bella Ross and Ana Hernández.
People walk under a large Pride Flag during the San Diego Pride Parade on Saturday, July 16, 2022.
Pride 5K Run + Walk — July 18
With as many as 1,700 walkers and runners, this event raises approximately $40,000 for charity. This helps support groups like San Diego Pride and The LGBT Center’s Youth Housing Project.
The run is located in Hillcrest near Centre and University Ave and begins at 8 a.m.
San Diego’s Pride Parade — July 18
One of the largest Pride Parades in the U.S., this year’s event begins in the Hillcrest neighborhood at 10:00 a.m. The parade will end near Balboa Park, where the festival kicks off.
Those interested can visit the San Diego Pride website for more details and registration.
The Pride Festival — July 18-19
General view of the atmosphere at 2022 San Diego Pride Parade on July 16, 2022, in San Diego, California.
The San Diego Pride Festival at Balboa Park includes several booths, resources and four stages of entertainment.
Day one of the festival is from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Day two on July 18 is from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. More details can be found on the event website.
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